Objective To study the expression and significance of Th17 cells from peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Intracelluar flow cytomete detection of IL-17/IFN-γ and IL-17/IL-6 was established using anti-CD3/Anti-CD28/IL-23 as stimulators after isolation of untouched human CD4~+T cells from PBMC. There were three groups in the present study: ①healthy controls group; ② RA stable group; ③RA active group. Results The isolation of untouched human CD4~+T cells from PBMC was effective and its purity was over 90%. The percentage of intracelluar IL-17 in CD4~+ T cells from RA patients was increased significantly. Such percentage in active group (1.54±0.41) was higher than that of stable group (0.70±0.21, P<0.01) and both of them were higher than those of healthy controls (0.42±0.12, P<0.01). Under anti-CD3/Anti-CD28/IL-23 stimulation, the percentage of intracelluar IL-17 was also increased significantly(P<0.01). The porcentage of intracellular IFN-γ was similar to that of IL-17, while that of IL-6 was not significantly different. There is an correlation between IL-17 and IFN-γ or IL-6. Conclusion There is an abnormal expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ in human CD4~+T cells in RA patients, which is related to disease activity . Th17 cells may be used as a new marker for the assessment of RA activity.

Objective To study the immunoregulatory effects of thalidomide on the peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods MTr was used to detect the effects of different thalidomide concentrations on the proliferation of T-cells.Flow eytometry was used to analyze T-cells early apoptosis and the T-cells subsets in different concentration of thalidomide.The mRNA expression of IL-6,IL- 10 and TNF-α was measured by RT-PCR method.Results The level of thalidomide at 500 μg/ml inhibited the proliferation of T-ceils and the CD3+CD28+ expression of T-cell subsets,but promoted the early apoptosis and the CD8+CD152+ expression of T-cell subsets.Thalidomine at any concentration could inhibit the mRNA expression of IL-6,TNF-α.However,the level of thalidomide that could promote the mRNA expression of IL- 10 was 100 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml.Conclusion Thalidomide can inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes and the expression of CD3+CD28+ on T-cell subsets.It can promote the early apoptosis and the CD8+CD152+ expression of T-cell subsets.Thalidomide inhibits the mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-α but promote the mRNA expression of IL-10.Thalidomide has immuno-regulatory effects on rheumatoid arthritis T-cells.

In this paper, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacers of 18 species of Dendrobium and their adulterants were amplified and sequenced, and then the sequence characteristics were analyzed. The sequence lengths of chloroplast psbK-psbI regions of Dendrobium ranged from 474 to 513 bp and the GC contents were 25.4%-27.6%. The variable sites were 71 while the informative sites were 46. The inter-specific genetic distances calculated by Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) of Dendrobium were 0.006 1-0.058 1, with an average of 0.028 4. The K2P genetic distances between Dendrobium species and Bulbophyllum odoratissimum were 0.093 2-0.120 4. The NJ tree showed that the Dendrobium species can be easily differentiated from each other and 6 samples of the inspected Dendrobium species were identified successfully through sequencing the psbK-psbI intergenic spacer. Therefore, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacer can be used as a candidate marker to identify Dendrobium species and its adulterants.
Chloroplasts ; DNA, Chloroplast ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

Chemokine signal pathways are important for the regulation of tumour metastasis. Chemokine receptors CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) and XCR1 (chemokine XC receptor 1) are involved in the metastasis of breast cancer, while the interaction between them remains unclear. Here we first identified the interaction between CXCR4 and XCR1 based on membrane protein yeast two-hybrid assays. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) showed that XCR1 could competitively bind to CXCR4 to form a heterodimer (P < 0.01). Results of wound healing assays via transient transfection of XCR1 and CXCR4 into HEK293 cells showed that 41.55% of the migration area rate in the co-transformation group was lower than 58.75% in the CXCR4-alone group after adding 30 nmol/L S D F-β. The co-expression of XCR1 inhibited the cellular motility, possibly mediated by the SDF-1β (stromal cell-derived factor 1)/CXCR4 signal pathway (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CXCR4 on the cell surface after co-expression of XCR1 in CXCR4-EGFP transgenic HEK293 cells was detected by flow cytometry. And the result suggested that XCR1 could accelerate the internalization of CXCR4 into the heterodimer induced by 30 nmol/L SDF-1β (P<0.05), which increased the internalization rate from 14.38% to 64.10%. Finally, the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK, which were involved in cell proliferation and migration, respectively, were examined. After 10 minutes of SDF-1β stimulation, ERK phosphorylation in the CXCR4-alone group showed a 3.59-fold increase, whereas the increase of ERK phosphorylation in the co-transfected group was only 2.08-fold. Interestingly, heterodimer formation reduced the phosphorylation level of ERK and shortened the activation time, whereas the phosphorylation level of Akt remained unchanged. Collectively, our findings revealed the hetero-dimerization of CXCR4 and XCR1 and its effects on CXCR4-mediated cellular motility, receptor internalization, and ERK pathway phosphorylation. Therefore, XCR1-targeting drugs could be candidates for cross-desensitization of CXCR4 and might represent a possible option for inhibiting breast cancer metastasis.

Objective To investigate the physiological and psychological symptoms of drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor.Methods A self-designed clinical symptoms questionnaire and Eysenck Personality Questionaire (EPQ) were used to evaluate 1 004 drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor, and the related symptoms were analyzed.Results The mainly physiological symptoms were fatigue, forgetfulness, aching pain of joints, arrhythmia and discomfort of limbs, and the mainly psychological symptoms are drug craving, insomnia and anxiety. The mean scores of P and E were higher in those who had the drug craving symptoms ( P<0.01), and the mean scores of N were higher in those who had the insomnia or anxiety symptoms ( P<0.01).Conclusion The mainly physiological symptoms of drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor are fatigue, forgetfulness, aching pain of joints, arrhythmia and discomfort of limbs, which are probably caused by the unbalance of the nervous and internal secretive systems, and the plastisity of the nervous system. The psychological symptoms may due to the effect of morphine and the personality of the drug abusers.

Objective To study the expression of IL-17, RORγt in CD4+T cells from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods The specimens of venous blood PBMC were collected from 28 patients with AS and 15 healthy subjects. Intracellular flow cytometry detection of IL-17 was established after isolation of human CD4+ T cells from PBMC. The expression level of IL-17, RORγt mRNA in CD4+ T cells was determined from 28 AS patients and 15 healthy controls by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR using Anti -CD3/Anti -CD28 as stimulators or not. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation were selected. Results The isolation of human CD4+ T cells from PBMC was effective and its purity reached 90%. The percentage of intracellular IL-17 in CD4+ T cells from AS pati-ents in the AS active group was higher than that of the AS stable group and healthy control group (P<0.01). The expression level of IL-17, RORγt mRNA in CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in patients with AS than in controls. After stimulated with anti-CD3/ anti-CD28 stimulation, the percentage of IL-17, RORγt mRNA was increased significantly (P<0.01). The percentage of IL-17, RORγt mRNA in the 12 h group was higher than that of the 24 h group, while both of them were higher than those without stimulation (P<0.05). Conclusion There is an abnormal expression of IL-17, RORγt in human CD4+ T cells from AS patients. Our results indicate that the abnormal expression of IL-17 might play a role in the development and progression of AS.

Objective: To screen and identify the mutations in Kawasaki disease by targeted enrichment of genomic region sequencing technique and investigate susceptibility genes associated with coronary artery lesion. Method: This was a case-control study.A total of 114 patients diagnosed as Kawasaki disease treated in Shanghai Children′s Hospital between December 2015 and November 2016 were studied and another 45 healthy children who were physically examined in outpatient department were enrolled as control group. Patients were divided into two groups based on the results of echocardiogram. Peripheral venous blood was obtained from patients and controls. Genomic DNA was extracted. SeqCap EZ Choice libraries were prepared by targeted enrichment of genomic region technology. Then the libraries were sequenced to identify susceptibility genes associated with coronary artery lesion in patients diagnosed as Kawasaki disease.Susceptible genes were identified by Burden test, Pearson chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test. Result: There was statistically significant difference in TNFRSF11B(rs2073618)G>C(p.N3K)mutation and GG/GC/CC genotype between Kawasaki disease group and control group(χ²=15.52, P=0.00). There was statistically significant difference in TNFRSF13B(rs34562254)C>T(p.P251L)mutation(χ²=10.40, P=0.01)and LEFTY1(rs360057)T>G(p.D322A)mutation(χ²=8.505, P=0.01)between patients with coronary artery lesions and those without. Conclusion Targeted enrichment of genomic region sequencing technology can be used to do primary screening for the susceptible genes associated with coronary artery lesions in Chinese Kawasaki patients and may provide theoretical basis for larger sample investigation of risk prediction score standard in Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVETo report a Chinese Han family with two patients of Leigh syndrome (LS) and to scan the mutation in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA).

METHODSThe clinical features and the laboratory findings were summarized. Mitochondrial DNA chip and direct sequencing were performed to detect the mutation in entire mtDNA.

RESULTSFailure of thrive, psychomotor retardation, hypotonia and weakness, cerebellar ataxia, and seizure were the main manifestations of the family. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lesions at midbrain, periaqueductal gray matter, dentate nuclei of cerebellar and thalami. The levels of lactic acid and pyruvate were mildly abnormal. The mutation of ND5*13513 G to A was identified in the LS family.

CONCLUSIONPatients with ND5*13513 G to A mutation may have a characteristic clinical course and ND5 *13513 G to A might be a preferential candidate mutation of Leigh syndrome.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Electron Transport Complex I ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leigh Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Iro system and temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (Tsh) genes were identified by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS). To get more insights in the distribution and the occurrence of the iroC and tsh genes, we examined 243 avian E. coli strains for the presences of the these genes. Among 243 avian E. coli isolates, iroC gene was present in 84.4% strains (205/243). Of the 205 iroC-positive isolates, iroC gene was found in 184 (89.8%), 18(8.8%) and 3 (1.5%) isolates with high, intermediate and low pathogenicity, respectively. Of the 167 tsh-positive isolates, tsh gene was detected in 146 (87.4%), 21 (12.6%) and 0 (0%) isolates with high, intermediate and low pathogenicity, respectively. Among tsh-positive isolates, 89.5 to 100% of the highly pathogenic isolates of O1, O2 or O78 serogroups had the tsh gene, while 53.3% of the highly pathogenic isolates of non-O1, O2 and O78 serogroups had the tsh gene (P<0.01). Suicide vectors for deletion of the iroBCDEN or tsh genes were constructed as follows. The 715-bp fragments of iroB and 603-bp fragment of the iroN were generated by PCR respectively. Both of these two fragments together with EGFP gene were cloned into pUC18, termed pUC18-iroBNEGFP. A resultant suicide vector containing the iroB-EGFP-iroN fragment was obtained and named pMEG375-iroBNEGFP. Similarly, both of the 685-bp fragment of tshF and the 692-bp fragment of the tshR together with gentamycin gene were cloned into pUC18, resulting in pUC18-tshFRGm. A resultant suicide vector containing the tshF-Gm-tshR fragment was named pMEG375-tshFRGm. Mutant derivatives of strain E037 were generated by allelic replacements and were named E037(Deltairo), E037(Deltatsh) and E037(DeltairoDeltatsh). The 50% lethal dose (LD50) of E037, E037(Deltairo), E037(Deltatsh) and E037(DeltairoDeltatsh) in commercial day-old chickens experimentally inoculated via intratrachea were determined to be 10(5.6), 10(8.4), 10(9.0) and 10(9.5)CFU, respectively. In the chicken challenging model, the mutants were tested to determine the individual role of this system for virulence and persistence in chickens. The result suggested that Iro system and Tsh were important in the pathogenicity of APEC.
Adhesins, Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Animals ; Chickens ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Escherichia coli Infections ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Mutation ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Organisms, Genetically Modified ; Poultry Diseases ; microbiology ; Transformation, Genetic ; Virulence Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the antimicrobial activity of topical agents commonly used for burns on Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) in both free and biofilm states, and their synergistic effect with ambroxol on AB within biofilm.

METHODSEleven AB strains were isolated from wound excretion, respiratory tract, and blood of patients hospitalized in our hospital from August 2005 to April 2007. (1) The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of mafenide acetate and chlorhexidine acetate to free AB (including drug-resistant, drug-sensitive, and standard strains) were determined by dilution method. (2) AB was cultured with LB or TSB medium for 12, 24, and 48 h to form biofilm, and it was treated with above-mentioned two topical agents in MBC (mafenide group and chlorhexidine group) for 30 min. Biofilm not treated by topical agent was used as control group. The biofilm thickness was determined with confocal laser scanning microscope. The proportion of living bacteria in biofilm was calculated. AB biofilm in each topical agent group was mixed and inoculated into LB culture dish to observe the growth of bacteria. (3) AB was cultured with LB medium for 48 h to form biofilm, which was respectively treated by above-mentioned two topical agents in MBC (mafenide group and chlorhexidine group) and combination of each topical agent with 3.75 mg/mL ambroxol solution (ambroxol + mafenide group and ambroxol + chlorhexidine group) for 30 min. Biofilm not treated by topical agents was used as control group. Growth of bacteria in biofilm was detected with MTT method (denoted as absorbance value). Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD-t test.

RESULTS(1) MIC of mafenide acetate and chlorhexidine acetate for free AB was respectively 25.00 mg/mL and 0.03 mg/mL. MBC of both agents for free AB was the same as their MIC. (2) Among three groups, the thickness of biofilm of sensitive AB was thicker than that of drug-resistant bacteria at most of the time points. Compared with those in control group, biofilm thickness and proportion of living bacteria in biofilm were slightly decreased in mafenide and chlorhexidine groups. The growth of bacteria was abundant in each group. (3) Absorbance value of drug-resistant bacteria in control, mafenide, and chlorhexidine groups was respectively 0.776 ± 0.071, 0.625 ± 0.063, and 0.420 ± 0.068. Absorbance value of drug-resistant bacteria in ambroxol + mafenide group (0.174 ± 0.089) was significantly lower than that of control group (t = 11.823, P = 0.000) and mafenide group (t = 9.248, P < 0.01). Absorbance value of ambroxol + chlorhexidine group (0.178 ± 0.044) was significantly lower than that of control group (t = 16.009, P = 0.000) and chlorhexidine group (t = 6.681, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDrug-resistant AB forms biofilm readily, which prevents topical agents from killing the bacteria inside. Combined use of ambroxol with topical agents gives synergistic effect on killing AB in biofilm in the wound.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Burns ; microbiology ; Chlorhexidine ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mafenide ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests