Objective To investigate the potential influencing factors which possibly effected the gut barrier function.The effort was made to establish a clinical evaluation system of gut barrier dysfunc- tion.Methods Fifty-three critically ill patients with an APACHEⅡscore of 8 or more and 27 patient which APACHEⅡscore was 6 or less were recruited.Plasma was reserved for measurement of endo- toxin,tumor necrosis factor-?,diamine oxidase,D-lactic acid and high sensitive C reactive protein,uri- nary excretion of lactulose and mannitol and the urinary content of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) were determined as well.Analyses was achieved by univariate,multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve.Results In the logistic regression models,gut barrier was affect- ed by many factors.The ratio of lactulose and mannitol in urine,the urinary content of IFABP of 24 hours and endotoxin level of plasma were identified as the most intimate factors which could associate with gut barrier function.The optimal operating point of plasma endotoxin,ratio of urinary lactulose and mannitol and content of urinary IFABP of 24 hours were 0.145,17 ng and 0,055 EU/ml respectively based on the results of receiver operating characteristic curve,the sensitivity and specificity were 84.5% vs 88%,78% vs 88% and 78% vs 78%.The doubtable value interval of urinary ratio of lactulose and mannitol was limited as 0.178 to 0.082.Conclusion Gut barrier dysfunction should be suspected when critically ill patients presented eertains gastrointestinal symptoms and had the proofs of increasing intesti- nal permeability,hypoperfusion of gut and higher level of plasma endotoxin.

Pro-inflammatory macrophages play key regulatory role in the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we constructed a celastrol (Cel)-loaded polyamide-amine dendrimer (PAMAM) drug delivery system, which could target folate receptor and mitochondria. It could target inflammatory macrophages and realize chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy. Using PAMAM as the nano-carrier, folate receptor-targeting group folic acid (FA) and mitochondria-targeting group IR808 (also known as the photothermal agent) were conjugated with PAMAM through amide reaction, and then complexed with anti-inflammatory drug Cel to prepare the FA-PAMAM-IR808/Cel nanocomplex. In vitro characterization results showed that the drug loading efficiency of the nanocomplex was 50.90%, particle size was between 130 and 160 nm, average potential was between 1.0 and 3.5 mV, the drug release showed pH sensitivity, temperature reached to 42.5 ℃ after near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation for 10 min. In vitro cellular uptake experiments showed that the nanocomplex had obvious folate receptor-targeting and mitochondria-targeting ability. Following irradiation with NIR light, the cytotoxicity and cellular apoptosis enhanced. The secretion of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This study provided insights for the development of novel anti-RA nanomedicines.

A cDNA fragment locating at the putative envelop protein 2(E2) region of GBV-C/HGV fused with Schistosoma japonicum, glutathione S-transferase(GST) was amplified with PCR from plasmid pGEX-E2. The amplified DNA fragment was inserted into plasmid pGEX-5X-1, at the downstream of the coding sequences of GST, in the same reading frame with the gene of GST. The fusion gene fragment of GST-E2 was amplified with PCR, using the recombinant plasmid pGEX-5X-1-E2 as the template. The amplified 1324 bp DNA fragment of GST-E2 was inserted into Pichia pastoris expression vector pPIC9K in reading frame with alpha-factor secreting signal peptide. The plasmid pPIC9K-GST-E2 was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 with electroporation. The transformants (His+ Muts) were selected and induced to express the 54kD GST-E2 fusion protein, which could be specially recognized by both the antisera directed against E2 and against GST. The GST-E2 fusion protein was purified with Sepharose 4B glutathione affinity chromatography to a purity of 95%. The expression was optimized to achieve the highest expression level of GST-E2 fusion protein which was accumulated up to 50% of total proteins in the culture supernatant. The GST-E2 protein derived from the recombinant Pichia pastoris was proved possessing antigenicity and high specificity by ELISA, probed with sera from the patients infected by GBV-C/HGV.
Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; GB virus C ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Engineering ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Pichia ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Schistosoma japonicum ; enzymology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of T-cell vaccination in murine experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH).

METHODSTo induce the EAH model, the syngeneic S-100 antigen emulsified in complete Freud's adjuvant was injected intraperitoneally to C57Bl/6 at day 1 and day 7. For T-cell vaccination, splenocytes were removed from animal 2 weeks after induction of EAH and from control animals, and activated in vitro by mitogen stimulation with Concanavalin A (Con A), then inactivated by mitomycin and injected at 5 10(7) cells per animal as T-cell vaccination at 14 and 7 days before first induction of EAH.

RESULTSThe histological grade and serum ALT level of the mice who received T-cell vaccination were decrease significantly, compared with that of model group (1.44+/-0.88 vs. 2.33+/-0.87, t=2.24, P<0.05; 63.0U/L+/-23.4U/L vs. 115.0U/L1+/-39.6U/L, t=2.37, P<0.01, respectively); there was no significant change in mice who received irrelevant T-cell vaccination.

CONCLUSIONT-cell vaccination with T cells from EAH animals, but not with irrelevant T cells, was able to protect animals from EAH.

Animals ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVETo prepare ligustrazine (TMPZ) ocular sustained-release implant, and investigate its in vitro drug release, pharmacokinetics in rabbit vitreum and in vitro correlation.

METHODLigustrazine ocular sustained-release implants were prepared by micro-twin conical screw mixers with hot-melting extrusion method, with polyactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as the matrix. HPLC was adopted to determine the concentration in vitreum after ligustrazine was implanted in rabbit eyes, in order to examine its in vivo sustained-release behavior, and study the correlation between in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTLigustrazine implants were prepared with a drug-loading rate between 10% and 30%, which was in conformity to the pharmacopoeia in terms of the content uniformity. Its in vitro release was in conformity to the zero-order release model. With PLGA 5050, 2. 5A as a vector, ligustrazine implants with a drug-loading rate of 30% could slowly release drug for more than 3 weeks, indicating a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo release.

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine ocular implants prepared with hot-melting extrusion method is practicable. Ligustrazine ocular implants release drug smoothly in rabbit vitreous vitreums, suggesting good sustained-release effect.

Animals ; Biological Availability ; Drug Implants ; Eye ; Female ; Male ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Vitreous Body

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinic characteristic and treatment of senile chronic submandibular sialadenitis.

METHODSThe clinical records of the patients over 50 years old whose final diagnosis was chronic submandibular sialadenitis were reviewed. The patients were diagnosed as neoplasm of submandibular gland before operation, There was no radiographic sign of sialolithiasis, no clinical and laboratory signs of Sjögren syndrome or related autoimmune disease.

RESULTSThirty-five patients were presented in masses in the submandibular space, which was not related to eating. Histopathologic study showed destruction of acinus, infiltration of inflammatory cell, and micro-calcification in the intercalated duct.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of senile chronic submandibular sialadenitis should be considered if a mass in the submandibular space occurs in the old patients and radiographic study shows no sialolithiasis and neoplasm. Resection of the submandibular gland is not necessary for these patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sialadenitis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Submandibular Gland Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo establish the cervicothoracic spine finite element model with three-dimensional finite element method, verify the effectiveness of this model and explore the stress distribution.

METHODSDICOM image data of one normal healthy young male volunteer were obtained by spiral CT scan and processed with Mimics software. Datas were imported to ANSYS software to become a 3D entity. Disc structure and the main ligament were added. Disc structure was added using the shell-nuclear unit, representing the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. Ligament structure was established with 2-node cable element, the beginning and ending points of the ligament and the cross-sectional area were determined in accordance with references. C(6,7) and C7T1 facet joints were definded as the nonliner contact joints with friction coefficient. The lower surface of TI in all the directions was completely fixed in this model. In the model 2.0 Nm pure torque were imposed on C6, and the extension, flexion, axial rotation and lateral bending experiment were conducted. The experimental results were compared with the in vitro biomechanical tests.

RESULTSThe cervicothoracic spine finite element model included 169,317 nodes and 106,242 units, and consistent with the in vitro biomechanical tests. The three-dimensional finite element model was in good running under external force.

CONCLUSIONIt is a convenient and precise method for physicians to establish the finite element model of the cervicothoracic junction. This method facilitates the computer study on the biomechanical behavior of the local structures of the model under various pressure conditions.

Cervical Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Computer Graphics ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Software ; Stress, Mechanical ; Thorax ; anatomy & histology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate suitable treatment method for contracture of inframammary scars.

METHODSNine female patients with contracture of inframammary sear hospitalized in our hospital from July 2000 to July 2007 were subjected to skin expansion around the breast. The sites of incisions were mainly located on the inframammary scars. The expanders were placed around the breast and middle chest near the sternum. On the lateral side of chest, the expander should be inserted at the site parallel to upper level of the breast. The expanders should be placed under deep fascia and superficial to the gland. At II stage of operation, the scars were excised and the subcutaneous tissues should be thoroughly loosened to assure that the soft tissue and mammary gland would be restored to its anatomical position. Expanded skin was then designed as advancement or transposition flaps to repair the defects, or effects were closed with suturing.

RESULTSBlood circulation disturbance occurred at the tip of a flap in one patient, with the size of 4.0 cm x 3.0 cm, and the resulting wound healed after skin grafting. Flaps in the other 8 patients survived, and the wounds healed satisfactorily. Nipples and mammary areola were successfully restored to the anatomical positions. Three patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years, and the result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSExpanded flap is feasible for repairing contracture of inframammary scar and with good result.

Adolescent ; Breast ; Child ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective Few studies are reported on the factors influencing the selection of the surgical access for adenocarci-noma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the selection of the surgical access for CT type-ⅡAEG. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 118 cases of CT type-ⅡAEG surgically treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Tumor Hospital from January 2015 to January 2017,92 via the abdominal access and the other 26 via the thoracoabdominal access. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses on the factors that might influence the surgical approaches,such as gender,body mass index (BMI),degrees of the epigastric angle,pathological classifica-tion,and clinical stages. Results Logistic regression analysis showed that the degree of the epigastric angle was an independent fac-tor influencing the selection of the access of AEG (OR=0.250,95% CI: 0.098-0.639) (P<0.05). Conclusion In the surgical treatment of CT type-ⅡAEG,the abdominal access is preferable for patients with the epigastric angle> 90 degrees and the thoracoab-dominal access is recommended for those with the epigastric angle≤90 degrees.

Objective: To study the effect of miR-194-3p on the migration of keloid fibroblasts. Methods: Differentially expressed miRNA were screened by gene chip in 8 human keloid and normal tissues. The down regulated miR-194-3p was selected for study and its binding to RUNX2 was predicted by MiRDB, and verified by fluorescent reporter gene in human keloid fibroblasts (HKFs) and passage 3 keloid cells, respectively. The effect of miR-194-3p on the migration of fibroblasts was detected by transwell assay. Western blot and real-time PCR were used to analyze the effect of miR-194-3p on RUNX2 and MMP2 expression in HKFs. The results were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software and compared by non-paired t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were abnormal expressions of miR-721, miR-21-3p, miR-382-3p, miR-194-3p, miR-3107-5p and miR-144-5p in keloid. miRDB software analysis showed that miR-194-3p and RUNX2 had targeted binding sites. Reporter gene experiments showed that miR-194-3p inhibited the activity of RUNX2 by about 50% compared with the control group (t=2.7764, P=0.0005). MiR-194-3p could significantly inhibit the expression of RUNX2 and MMP2, and inhibited the migration of keloid fibroblasts (t=2.7764, P<0.05). Conclusion MiR-194-3p may inhibit the migration of fibroblasts by inhibiting the activity of RUNX2 in keloid.