Objective To detect the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in acute heart allograft rejection in rats and to investigate the relationship between CTGF expression and cardiac allograft fibrosis. Methods Sixteen Wister rats served as donors and another 16 Sprague-Dawely (SD) rats served as recipients. Intra-abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation was performed. All rats received 10 mg/(kg·d) cyclosporine,40 mg/(kg·d)CellCept, and 3 mg/(kg·d)methylprednisolone immunosuppression after the surgery. Ten allografts were harvested 2 weeks postoperation while 10 normal Wister rats served as controls. The paraffin sections of harvested heart specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE),and van Gieson(VG) for the examination of morphological changes to observe the lumen loss of myocardial coronary arteries and myocardial fibrosis. The expression of CTGF was studied by immunnohistochemical method and was measured semi quantitatively. The correlation between the CTGF expression and allograft fibrosis was studied. Results The allografts showed a typical symbol of acute rejection with excessive granulocyte infiltration around the vessel wall and myocardial interstice. There were also intimal proliferation and obvious fibrosis in the acute group and the differences between the acute and control group were significant (P<0.05). The expression of CTGF protein was mainly located around the vascular and myocardial lesions in the acute group while the control group showed no CTGF expression. The gray scale value of CTGF was (AR vs NH: 103.52±6.42 vs. 182.61±8.72,P<0.05). Strong negative correlations were found between the gray scale value and fibrosis formation(r=-0.734,P<0.01). Conclusion CTGF was overexpressed in acute allograft rejection rat hearts and might be involved in the pathogenesis of transplanted heart fibrosis.

Objective To prepare chitosan (CS)-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles (NP) and to investigate its antibacterial activity. Methods CS NPs were formed by the incorporation of CS and Na3PO4. CS-compound Yizhihao NPs were prepared by ion-cross-linking. The particle sizes and surface charges of CS NPs were determined by Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The antibacterial acitivity of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs was studied in vitro and compared with that of compound Yizhihao powder. Results Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and AFM demonstrated that the diameter of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs was (137.00±14.28)nm and CS NPs had (16.90±1.32)mV positive surface charges. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs on Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,β-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:32,1:32,1:16,and 1:2,respectively. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs on Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,β-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:16,1:16,1:8, and 1:2,respectively. The antibacterial efficacy of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs to Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,and β-hemolytic streptococcus had been improved significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion CS-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles have obvious antibacterial activity to the Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,and β-hemolytic streptococcus,which lays the experimental foundation for new preparation of traditional Chinese medicine in future research.

Objective To investigate whether the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2A)gene T102 C polymorphism is associated with the severity symptoms and negative symptoms in the first episode Chinese Han nationality patients with schizophrenia. Methods Altogether 201 first episode Chinese Han nationality patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in this study. Genotyping of 5-HT2A gene T102 C polymorphism was performed by PCR-RFLP technique. The positive and negative Symptom Scale ( PANSS ) was used for the evaluation of the severity of psychotic symptoms before any drug treat-ment. Results 5-HT2A receptor 102-T/T genotype was significantly associated with both the PANSS total and negative symptom subscale baseline scores before the treatment, but not with the positive and general psychopathology subscales. Conclusion 5-HT2A T102 C functional polymorphism may play a role in negative symptoms and prognosis of Chinese Han nationality people with schizophrenia.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the CYPphism and alcohol use disorders, and the potential influence of the CYP2E1 * c1/* c2 polymorphismon the severity and dimensions of alcohol use disorders in Tibetan. Methods Three hundred and forty Tibetans with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score I>10 and another 315 matched control subjects with AUDIT score ≤5 were enrolled. The CYP2E1 * c1/* c2 polymorphism was de-termined by the standard PCR-RFLP method. Results The frequency of the CYP2E1 * c2 allele in subjects with alcohol use disorders ( 16. 2 % ) was significantly higher than that of the controls(10.8%) , with a P value of 0. 005 and OR value of 1.60 (95% CI: 1.15～2.21). There was also a significant difference in genotype frequencies between the 2 groups ( χ2= 8.75, P = 0.01).Subjects with alcohol use disorders had higher frequencies of genotypes with at least one copy of allele c2 (28.5% vs. 18.7%; χ2=8.65, P=0.003; 0R=1.73) than the control group. The associ-ation of CYP2E1 * c2 allele with alcohol use disorders was much stronger in males than in females,with a male OR value of 2.30. CYP2E1 * c2 allele was associated with increased alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders in males. Conclusion There is the positive association among CYP2E1 * c2 allele, alcohol use disorders, and the amount of alcohol consumption in Tibetan population.

Objective To determine the pharmacokinetic interaction between cefalor and bromhexine in healthy Chinese volunteers. Methods Twelve subjects received a cefaclor (CEF) treatment, a bromhexine (BHX) treatment, and a co-treatment of CEF and BHX with a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The wash-out time between periods was 14 days. The plasma and urine drug concentrations of CEF and BHX were detected by HPLC-UV and LC/MS, respectively. Results All the 12 volunteers completed the study. There were no significant differences in AUC0-t and Cmax of CEF in logarithm between the single administration group of CEF and the co-administration group of CEF with BHX. Two one sided t-test showed that CEF was bioequivalent in the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in tmax, MRT, t1/2, and Clr between the 2 groups. Vd/F was significantly lower in the single CEF group than in the co-administration group of CEF and BHX. There were no significant differences of AUC0-t and Cmax of BHX in logarithm between the single administration group of BHX and the co-administration group of BHX with CEF. Two one sided t-test showed that BHX was bioequivalent in the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in tmax, MRT, t1/2, Vd/F, and Clr between the 2 groups. Conclusion There is no significant pharmacokinetic parameter change in the drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion, but Va/F of CEF significant increases in the co-administration of CEF with BHX. The co-administration of CEF and BHX has no adverse drug interaction. The increase of Vd/F may be a favorable drug interaction, which may be the mechanism of the synergistic effect of the 2 drugs.

Selenoprotein S1 (SEPS1) , a novel gene involved in the stress response of endoplasmic reticulum and inflammation control. Recent results provide a direct mechanistic link between SEPS1 and the production of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting SEPS1 may play a major role in the mediation of inflammation in IDDM and some other immunological disorders.

Objective To explore a faster and more precise method to establish a 3-dimensional (3 D) finite element model of maxillary in human complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Methods The surface of the model was created using Materialists Interactive Medical Image Control System (Mimics) software to deal with Dicom standard files obtained by scanning the cranium of the patient with multi-slice helical CT. The 3D finite element model for complete unilateral cleft lip and plate in maxillary was established by Ansys software. Results A 3D finite element model of maxillary in human complete unilateral cleft lip and palate was constructed with 27 405 units and 26 876 nodes. Conclusion The combination of Mimics software, Geomagic studio software, Ansys software, and spiral CT is able to create a 3D finite element counter model, which provides a faster and more valid method to study complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Objective To assess the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with Hassab 's procedure in the prevention of variceal recurrence. Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients with esophageal varices were randomized to receive EVL alone, Hassab's procedure alone or a combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure for variceal eradication. Ultrasonographic venous network images were recorded by an esophageal microprobe before and after the EVL or Hassab 's procedure. The clinical outcome and vascular network images of the 3 groups were analyzed. Results Esophageal varices were obliterated immediately after EVL alone, while both perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals remained patent, and 83% had recurrence of esophageal varices during an initial 3-year follow-up. Esophageal varices were reduced in size, periesophageal collaterals were obliterated after Hassab's procedure alone, and 30% experienced rebleeding and 95% with variceal recurrence. EVL combined with Hassab 's procedure obliterated all esophageal varices, perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals, and only 3 patients (8% ) recurred. Conclusion The existence of patent perforating veins and periesophageal collaterals is the reason of esophageal variceal recurrence after EVL alone. EVL combined with Hassab 's procedure can effectively prevent the recurrence, even if the cirrhotic portal hypertension persisted.

The prevalent rates of overweight and obesity are steadily increasing all over the world. Previous studies of some candidate genes have indicated that most of the genes are associated with obesity in human adipose tissue. As much as 40% of the variations in body mass could be attributed to genetic difference. The β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) plays a major role in the regulation of energy balance in humans. A high sympathetic nervous system activity has been shown to be associated with obesity and is believed to have pathogenetic relevance. Several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including Gly389Arg in β1-AR, Gln27Glu in β2-AR, and Trp64Arg in β3-AR in humans could alter receptor function and these variations ofβ-ARs were shown to have certain association with obesity. Here we summarize the genetic polymorphisms of human β-ARs and their potential impacts to obesity.

Objective To derive hematopoietic stem cells with functional properties of hematopoietic reconstitution from murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. Methods ES-D3 cells by formation of the day-4 embryoid bodies (4dEBs) were induced into hematopoietic stem cells by co-culture with murine bone marrow endothelial cell-conditional medium (mBMEC-CM) and the fetal liver stromal cell-conditional medium (FLSC-CM). This experiment was designed to 4 groups (mBMEC-CM + FLSC-CM group, mBMEC-CM group, FLSC-CM group, and the control group). Results The total cell numbers, CD34 + cell numbers, and colony numbers formed in the mBMEC-CM + FLSC-CM group were the highest among the 4 groups. The cells in the mBMEC-CM + FLSC-CM group resumed the hematopoietic system of the mice after being transplanted with the inducing cells. Conclusion The culture condition combing mBMEC-CM with FLSC-CM can promote murine ES cells differentiating into hematopoietic stem cells with functional properties of hematopoietic reconstitution.