ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is an important endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP). P2X7R is an ATP-gated cation channel. ATP-P2X7R plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of many diseases because P2X7R is distributed on various immune cells. ATP-P2X7R signal transduction pathway has been implicated to participate in the body's im-mune defense against pathogens. This paper reviews the recent progress regarding ATP-P2X7R and its effects on parasitic diseas-es.

Objective To investigate the significance of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin(MCV)an- tibody in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and study the correlation among anti-CCP,other antoantibodies and clinical manifestations of RA.Methods Anti-MCV antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)in 166 serum samples including 74 from RA(18 cases with early RA and 56 cases with late RA),50 from non-RA rheumatic diseases and 42 cases of healthy blood donors.At the same time,other antuoantibod- ies were detected by different techniques,and their clinical meaning was investigated with the corresponding clinical data.Results Anti-MCV was found in 78%(58/74)of RA.The sensitivity and specificity of Anti- MCV in RA were 78% and 95%.The positive and negative predictive value was 97% and 71%.The average cut off concentration of Anti-MCV was(552?380)U/ml in RA,(162?63)U/ml in non-RA and(63?46)U/ml in healthy control.Anti-MCV was strongly correlated to anti-CCP(r=0.502,P=0.000),then AKA(r=0.408)anti APF(r=0.369).No differences was found between Anti-MCV and other clinical/laboratory parameters(P＞0.05). Conclusion Anti-MCV antibody may be a valuable diagnostic parameter for RA.Anti-MCV is more strongly correlated to anti-CCP than APE and AKA.It may not relate to disease activity and/or severity.

Objective To enhance the protective immunity effects against Schistosoma japonicum infection by priming with cocktail DNA vaccines and boosting with cocktail protein vaccines in infected BALB/c mice.Methods Plasmids and proteins for immunization were prepared and diluted in no bacterial saline solution to final concentration of 1.5 mg/ml,and mixed with pcDNA3.1-SjC23,pcDNA3.1-SjCTPI,pcDNA3.1-(CDR3)6 plasmid DNAs by equal volume to form the cocktail DNA vaccine,and also mixed with recombinant proteins SjC23-HD,SjCTPI,and NP30 by equal volume to form the cocktail protein vaccine.Seventy female BALB/c mice of 4-5 weeks old were randomly divided into 5 groups(A,B,C,D,E).In Group A(control group),each mouse was immunized with 100 ?l saline solution by intramuscular(i.m.);in Group B(pcDNA3.1 control group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l pcDNA3.1 for three times at week 0,3,6;in Group C(pcDNA3.1 and cocktail protein group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l pcDNA3.1 for three times at week 0,3,6 and immunized with 100 ?l mixed protein vaccines plus 100 ?l FCA by subcutaneous at week 9;in Group D(cocktail DNA vaccines group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l mixed DNA vaccines for three times at week 0,3,6;in Group E(cocktail DNA vaccines plus cocktail proteins),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l mixed DNA vaccines for three times at week 0,3,6 and immunized with 100 ?l mixed protein vaccines plus 100 ?l FCA by subcutaneous at week 9.Four weeks after the last DNA immunization or two weeks after protein boosting,all the mice were challenged with(40?1)cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum by abdominal skin penetration at the same time.Forty-two days post-challenge,the mice were sacrificed and perfused,and the numbers of recovered worms and eggs in liver were counted.The blood was collected from the tail veins of all the mice two days before the first immunization and challenge,respectively,the serum was prepared for detection of IgG,IgG1 and IgG2a.Two days before the challenge,the spleen cells of two mice from each group were cultured and stimulated with ConA and soluble egg antigen(SEA),and the supernatant was collected for detection of IL-2,IL-4 and IFN-?.Results The worm reduction rates in Group C,D and E were 17.70%,32.88% and 45.35%,respectively,compared with the control group.The worm reduction rates in Group D and E were significantly higher than that in Group C(P

OBJECTIVETo inquire into the relationship between lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene D9N, N291S and S447X polymorphisms and the development of cardiovascular diseases in children with obesity.

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RLFP) techniques were used to detect three common mutations of LPL gene exon D9N, N291S and S447X in 157 obese children and 175 normal controls. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels between children with different genotypes were compared.

RESULTSThe D9N and N291S gene mutations were not detected in either the obese or the control groups. There were no significant differences in the frequency of S447X gene mutation between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the levels of plasma lipid and lipoprotein between children with S447 and X447 genotypes.

CONCLUSIONSD9N and N291S gene mutations may not be risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases in children with obesity. S447X gene mutation might not play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in childhood.

Adolescent ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Obesity ; genetics ; Risk Factors

Objective To enhance the protective immunity effects of nucleic acid vaccines against Schistosoma japonicum infection by electroporation(EP)in vivo in infected BALB/c mice.Methods Plasmids and proteins for immunization were prepared and diluted in no bacterial saline solution to final concentration of 1.5 mg/ml.pcDNA3.1-SjC23,pcDNA3.1-SjCTPI,pcDNA3.1-(CDR3)6 plasmid DNAs were mixed by equal volume to form the cocktail DNA vaccine,and also mixed with recombinant proteins SjC23-HD,SjCTPI,and NP30 by equal volume to form the cocktail protein vaccine.Seventy female BALB/c mice of 4-5 weeks old were randomly divided into 5 groups(A,B,C,D,E).In Group A(control group),each mouse was immunized with 100 ?l saline solution by intramuscular(i.m.);in Group B(pcDNA3.1/EP control group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l pcDNA3.1 followed by EP in vivo for three times at week 0,3,6;in Group C(pcDNA3.1/EP plus cocktail protein vaccine group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l pcDNA3.1 followed by EP for three times at week 0,3,6 and boosted with 100 ?l cocktail protein vaccine plus 100 ?l FCA by subcutaneous at week 9;in Group D(cocktail DNA vaccine/EP group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l cocktail DNA vaccine followed by EP for three times at week 0,3,6;in Group E(cocktail DNA vaccine/EP plus cocktail protein vaccine group),each mouse was immunized(i.m.)with 100 ?l cocktail DNA vaccine followed by EP for three times at week 0,3,6 and boosted with 100 ?l cocktail protein vaccine plus 100 ?l FCA by subcutaneous at week 9.Four weeks after the last DNA immunization or two weeks after protein boosting,all the mice were challenged with(40?1)cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum by abdominal skin penetration.Forty-two days post-challenge,the mice were sacrificed and perfused,and the numbers of recovered worms and eggs in liver were counted.The blood was collected from the tail veins of all the mice two days before the first immunization and challenge,respectively,the serum was prepared for detection of IgG,IgG1 and IgG2a.Two days before the challenge,the spleen cells of two mice from each group were cultured and stimulated with ConA and soluble egg antigen(SEA),and the supernatant was collected for detection of IL-2,IL-4 and IFN-? by flow cytometre.Results The worm reduction rates in Group C,D and E were 18.09%,45.00% and 57.09%,respectively,compared with the control group.The worm reduction rates in Group D and E were significantly higher than that in Group C(P

Objective To study the association of prevalence of cardio-cerebro vascular diseases (CCVD) with metabolic syndrome (MS) defined by different criteria in middle and aged people.Methods A cross-section survey was conducted among 1458 people aged 55 years and over in urban and rural areas of Beijing in 2009.MS definitions by World Health Organization (WHO),National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ (NCEP-ATP Ⅲ ) revised,international diabetes mellitus (IDF) and Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) were applied to analyze the association MS with the prevalence of CCVD.Results The risks of CCVD were all significantly higher in patients with MS than with non-MS using 4 definitions of MS.The definitions of WHO and CDS showed well agreement with the prevalence of CCVD.OR values of MS for CCVD were 2.14 folds (95％ CI:1.59-2.87) for WHO definition and 1.91 folds (95％ CI:1.43-2.55) for CDS definition,while OR values of MS for CCVD were 1.68 folds (95％ CI:1.32-2.15) for NCEP-ATPⅢ definition and 1.64 folds (95％ CI:1.26-2.13) for IDF definition as compared to non-MS,respectively.After adjustment for age,sex,region,history of smoking and alcohol drinking,the OR values in above four definitions were 1.91,1.88,1.67 and 1.80,respectively.The OR value of MS was highest for stroke by CDS definition and highest for coronary heart disease by WHO definition.Conclusions MS values defined by WHO and CDS are the optimal index of prevalence for CCVD in middle and aged people.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Xuanfei Jiejing Decoction combined with conventional treatment on patients with asthma of Wind-Phlegm Obstructing Lung Pattern.METHODS One hundred and fifty patients were randomly assigned into control group(75 cases)for 4-week intervention of conventional treatment,and observation group(75 cases)for 4-week intervention of both Xuanfei Jieshi Decoction and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,airway inflammatory indices(ECP,IL-4,IgE),lung function indices(FVC,FEV1/FVC,PEF)and putum and mucus indices(4 h sputum volume,sputum viscosity,mucin 5AC)were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,airway inflammatory indices,putum and mucus indices(P＜0.05),and increased lung function indices(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with asthma of Wind-Phlegm Obstructing Lung Pattern,Xuanfei Jiejing Decoction combined with conventional treatment can reduce airway inflammatory levels,inhibit airway mucus secretion,improve lung functions,and alleviate clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo generate the skeletal muscle-specific transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TbetaR II) gene knockout mice for the research on the function of the TbetaR II gene in skeletal muscles.

METHODSTbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were generated using embryonic stem cell technology. The MCK-Cre mice were engineered containing Cre recombinase under the control of creatine kinase (MCK) muscle-specific promoter. TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were crossed with MCK-Cre mice generating TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK-Cre double Tg mice. And then, TbetaR II (flox/wt) /MCK-Cre(+) double Tg mice were crossed with TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice to generate TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK- Cre(+) mice genetically ablating TbetaR II in cre-expressing skeletal muscle cells.

RESULTSAs predicted, mice lacking TbetaR II by gene targeting in skeletal muscles were generated first in the world using Cre/loxP system. TbetaR II null mutant mice were viable, fertile and showed apparently normal development.

Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Transgenic ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombination, Genetic ; Signal Transduction

Objective To study the clinical and imaging features of patients with bone metastases from breast cancer and identify the factors related to the incidence of bone metastases. Methods Three hundred and thirty-four patients with breast cancer were recruited into this study. Whole-body 99Tcm-methylene disphosphonate (MDP) bone scan, clinical staging, pathological, immunohistochemical and serological test results were analyzed retrospectively. χ2 test was used for statistical analysis. Results The incidence rate of bone metastases for patients with and without lymph node metastases was 71% (152/214) and 22. 5% (27/120), respectively (χ2 =72.80, P =0.000). The incidence rate of bone metastases from infiltrated non-specified and specified breast cancer was 69% (203/294) and 41.7% (5/12), respectively (χ2 =3. 97, P=0.046). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was elevated in 28.5% (51/179) and 14.9%(11/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 5. 25, P = 0.022 ). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 15-3, CA125, CA19-9 increased in 68.7% ( 123/179) and 27.0% (20/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 37. 03, P =0. 000). Conclusions The incidence of bone metastases from breast cancer is correlated to pathological types of primary tumor and lymph node metastases. Bone metastases occurs more frequently in patients with infiltrated, non-specified, primary cancer and with lymph node metastases. Serum ALP, CEA, CA15-3,CA125, CA19-9 might be the tumor makers for early diagnosis of bone metastases from breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and its relations to microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic metastasis. METHODS: With 9 cases of normal oral mucosa as control, the expression rate of iNOS in 41 cases of OSCC was evaluated by immunohistochemstry SP staining. With CD34 as label, MVDs of these cases were also detected. RESULTS: The iNOS expression rate of OSCC cases was 63.41%(26/41), while no positive expression was seen in 9 cases of normal oral mucosa. Anymore, the expression rate of N+ group was 85.00% while that of N group 42.90%, the rate between them was significantly different (P<0.01). There was correlation between MVD and lymphatic metastasis (rs=0.51, P<0.01). MVDs in groups of different iNOS expression( approximate, equals +++) were 29.667+/-6.945, 34.833+/-4.579, 46.357+/-6.687, 54.167+/-5.565, respectively, and were significantly different with each other (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is high expression rate of iNOS in OSCC, and it has close relation to lymphatic metastasis; angiogenesis may facilitate lymphatic metastasis of OSCC, and expression of iNOS has positive relation to MVD in OSCC.