Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous murine interleukin-18 (IL-18) on early mouse collagen Ⅱ -induced arthritis (CIA). Methods Mice were injected intraperitoneallg IL-18 (0.2 μg/d) combination with IL-10 (0.1 μg/d), IL-4 (0.1 μg/d) and IL-12 (0.1 μg/d) daily for five days before the onset of CIA. The arthritis response was monitored visually by macroscopic scoring. Reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA expression of cytokine in patella with adjacent synovium in CIA mouse. Histology of knee was examined to assess the occurrence of cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Wilcoxon rank test was selected. Results IL-18/IL-4 treatment could slightly suppress the macroscopic score of arthritis, but a more pronounced amelioration was found in mice treated with the combination of IL-18 and IL-10 during early treatment. On 38 days after immunizatian macroscopic score in treated group (0.12±0.20) was significantly improves than in the control group (0.29±0.19, P<0.05). This resulted in both the suppression of macroscopic signs of inflammation and the reduction of cellular infiltrates in the synovial tissue, which provided the protection against cartilage destruction. Moreover, the expression of Thl cytokines [IL-18 (0.22±0.06), IL-12 (0.14±0.05)] and inflammatory cytokine [IL-6 (0.22±0.11)] was greatly inhibited both in the synovial tissue and in the articular cartilage in the treatment groups compared with those in the control groups (P<0.05). However, the mRNA levels of Th2 cytokines [IL-10 (6.35±0.12), IL-4 (3.57±0.13)] were up-regulated after IL-18/IL-10 treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, IL-18R (0.40±0.15) levels were down-regulated compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). T-bet mRNA levels were decreased in IL-18/IL-10 compared with the control group, and GATA-3 mRNA (5.71±0.11) levels were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Low dose IL-18/IL-10 treatment can inhibit Th1 cytokines expression and induce Th2 cytokines expression, which may be mediated not only by inhibiting Th1 responses through IL-18/IL-18R mechanism, but also by inducing anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 and IL-4 through a GATA-3-dependent mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous murine interlukin-18 (mIL-18) on early and established murine coUagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods Mice were injected intraperitoneally with IL-18 (0.2 μg/mouse) daily for 5 days before or after the onset of CIA. The response was monitored visually by macroscopic scoring. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA expression of cytokines in patella with adjacent synovium in CIA mouse. Histolpgy of knee synovium was used to assess the occurrence of cartilage destruction and bone erosions. Results IL-18 alone had no effect on macroscopic score, occurrence of arthritis, advancement of histology on early stage of CIA. Moreover, expression of Th 1 cytokines and Th2 cytokines in the synovial tissue and" articular cartilage remained unchanged compared with the control group, however, a pronounced progression of histology was found in mice treated with IL-18 in estabhshed CIA. Forty-three days after immunization, the macroscopic score in the treated group (0.33±0.11 ) was significantly improved than in the control group (0.25±0.09) (P<0.05). Moreover, the mRNA levels of IL-10 and IL-18BP both in the synovial tissue and in the articular cartilage in the treated groups decreased significantly than those in the control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Low dose mIL-18 alone has no effect on early stage CIA. But pronounced exacerbation is found in mice treated with IL-18 on established arthritis, which supports that IL-18 initiates this effect by inhibiting IL-10 and IL-18 BP.

Objective To study the role of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in the prognosis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in mice. Methods One hundred and twenty clean male Kunming mice were randomly ( random number) divided into normal saline control group (n =15),MODS model control group (n =15) and MODS + rhEGF treatment group (n =90).The MODS models were made by using Caballero ME method with thioacetamide (TAA) 2000 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally to establish monophasic rapid onset pattern of MODS model in mice.MODS + rhEGF treatment group was further randomly divided into two subgroups,namely intraperitoneal injection group (n =45 ) and subcutaneous injection group (n =45 ).Each subgroup was divided again into three small subgroups (n =15) as per different doses of rhEGF used,namely 10 μg/kg,30 μg/kg and 50 μg/kg.Within 24 hours after modeling,the respiration,body weight,food eaten and general physical changes were observed.Mortality was calculated 24 hours after modeling.After the animals sacrificed,the tissues of viscus including liver,kidney,heart,brain,lung,spleen,pancreas,intestine and stomach were collected immediately.The histological changes of visceral tissues were studied by using hematoxylin -eosin staining under the light microscope.All the experimental data were presented in,and body weight changes were compared using t-test,and after different routes of administration with different doses of rhEGF used in MODS,the mice body weight changes were analysed by using the Dunnett method,and the mortalities of mice were compared by using Fisher exact test,and P ＜ 0.05 was considered statistically significant difference. Results There was no significant difference in mortality betweeu mice in rhEGF subcutaneous administration group and MODS model control group (P ＞ 0.05 ),but the total mortality of hrEGF MODS intraperitoneal administration group (6.7％ in dose of 50 μg/kg and 20％ in dose of 30 μg/kg) was significantly lower than that of MODS model control group (73.3％) ( P ＜ 0.05 ) and the mortality of mice treated with intraperitoneal 50μg/kg rhEGF (6.7％ ) was lower than that treated with 10μg/kg rhEGF (P=0.014).The mortality of mice in rhEGF MODS (50 μg/kg ) intraperitoneal administration group was significantly lower than that in subcutaneous administration group (40％) (P =0.031 ), The histopathological changes in rhEGF MODS treatment group were not as remarkable as seen in mice of control group.The histopathological changes were dose - dependent.The higher doses of rhEGF,the lesser hepatic congestion,liver cell apoptosis,hepatic cell cloudy swelling and cell vacuolization.Similarly,as RhEGF dosage increased,pulmonary interstitial congestion,inflammatory cells and apoptotic bodies reduced,and bronchial ciliated columnar epithelium less shed.Conclusions RhEGF plays a positive role in repairement of tissue damage in TAA - induced MODS murine model.The rhEGF given by intraperitoneal route of administration is more effective to reduce the 24 h mortality of MODS mice than that by subcutaneous route.

Objective: To observe the effect of ivabradine (IVA) on atrial and ventricular monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) and its proarrhythmic action at presence of sea anemone toxin-II (ATX-II) in isolated rabbit heart modelin vitro. Methods: The perfusion of isolated heart from female New Zealand white rabbit was conducted by Langendorff method in vitro. Left atrial and left ventricular endo- , epi-cardial action potential were recorded when pacing with ifxed frequency of 350 ms (in correspondence with the heart rate of 171 times/min) to observe the effect of IVA alone and ATX-II (3 nmol/L) with IVA on MAPD90. In addition, to observe the action of IVA alone and ATX-II with IVA on proarrhythmia when IVA reducing the heart rate to autonomous cardiac rhythm as (156±10) times/min. Results: IVA at (3-10) μmol/L prolonged atrial and ventricular endo- , epi-cardial MAPD90 by (15.9 ± 2.0) ms, (31.5 ± 4.0) ms and (23.9 ± 3.0) ms (n=6,P<0.01), respectively. ATX-II at 3 nmol/L prolonged atrial and ventricular MAPD90 by (36.5 ± 5.0)ms and (19.9 ± 3.0) ms, (19.5 ± 4.0) ms (n=6,P<0.01) respectively. With ATX-II treatment, IVA at (6-10) μmol/L decreased atrial MAPD90 by (14.4 ± 4.0) ms (n=6,P<0.01), it induced atrial arrhythmia. With 3 nmol/L of ATX-II treated ventricle, IVA at (3-10) μmol/L obviously prolonged endo- and epi-cardial MAPD90 by (36.2 ± 7.0) ms and (27.5 ± 5.0) ms(n=6,P<0.01), respectively. IVA didn’t increase ventricular beat-to-beat variability and transmural dispersion of MAPD90 no matter with or without ATX-II treatment, no ventricular arrhythmia occurred. Conclusion: IVA prolongs both atrial and ventricular MAPD, with increased late sodium current, IVA may induce atrial arrhythmia but not ventricular arrhythmia in experimental rabbits in vitro.

Objective To investigate the growth curve,breeding rate,and blood physiological and biochemical parameters in Npc1 gene mutant mice (Npc1-/-) for providing theoretical evidence in research on Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) patient.Methods 1) The body mass of Npc1-/-,Npc1+/-,and Npc1+/+ mice (n=120;60♀,60♂) was measured from 0 to 77 days;(2) As Npc1-/-mice were born only by the mating Npc1+/-mice,the breeding rate of Npc1+/-mice was counted here from the 1st to 4th generation;(3) The blood physiological and biochemical parameters were measured on both Npc1-/-and Npc1+/+ mice at 60 days.Results 1) Compared with the wild type controls,the body weight of Npc1-/-mice was progressively increased up to 7 weeks and then decreased,and died around 11 weeks.The body weight of the Npc1+/-and Npc1+/+ mice was increased as time went on.After 4 weeks,the male mice showed a higher weight gain than the females;(2) The generations of Npc1+/-mice had no significant difference in mating-parturition interval,litter size,weaning litter and the number of male and female (P>0.05),but the weaning rate of the 2nd generation was significantly higher than that of the 1st generation (P<0.05);(3) The hematological parameters showed a significant difference only in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean peroxidase index (MPXI) between the Npc1-/-and Npc1+/+ mice (P<0.05).No significant difference was found in other hematological parameters (P>0.05).Among the biochemical parameters,aspartate aminotransferase (AST),glucose (GLU),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),potassium (K) and copper (Cu) had a significant difference between the Npc1-/-and Npc1+/+ mice (P<0.05).Conclusions 1) The growth curves of Npc1-/-,Npc1+/-,and Npc1+/+ mice are different due to different genotype and sex;(2) The reproduction rates of Npc1+/-mice have no significant difference among different generations;(3) The blood physiological parameters (MCH,MPXI) and biochemical parameters (UREA,AST,GLU,LDH,K,Cu) are significantly different between Npc1-/-and Npc1+/+ mice.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence.Methods Clinical data of 573 consecutive patients undergoing midurethral sling surgery from January 2003 to December 2010 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.All relative risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis to identify risk factors of voiding dysfunction.Results Voiding dysfunction occurred in 28 patients,with an incidence of 4.9％ (28/573).Univariate analysis showed that age,previous pelvic surgery,pre-operative postvoid residuals,maximum flow rate,average urine flow rate,Valsalva leak point pressure,concomitant anterior pelvic repair and operator performing＜50 procedures were the relative risk factors (P＜0.05) for voiding dysfunction.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximum flow rate (Qmax) ≤ 15 ml/s (OR=3.782,P=0.003) was an independent risk factor for voiding dysfunction and surgery experience was its protection factors (OR=0.295,P=0.016).Conclusions Qmax ≤ 15 ml/s on preoperative urodynamic study is an independent risk factor for voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling procedure.Improving skill of surgery and strengthening technical training will help to reduce the incidence of this complication.

AIM:To study the mechanism of foam floatation in the processing of Indigo Raturalis,and provide theory to support the industrialization of Indigo Raturalis processing by foam fioatation technique. METHODS: To study the critical problems of the processing of Indigo Raturalis by foam floatation technique: the change of particle size distribution after the processing of Indigo Raturalis;The surface activity of frothing materials in Indigo Raturalis;the distinction of the foam to absorb the Indigo particles and other particles(CaCO_3);the absorbability of the Indigo particles to absorb different surface active agents. RESULTS: 1.The Indigo particles were easily absorbed by the foam,but others(CaCO_3) were not;2.There were some frothing materials with good frothing capability in the alkaline system of Indigo Raturalis,3 In the alkaline system,the Indigo particles could be absorbed by the foam of strong acid surface active agents. CONCLUSION: In the alkaline system of Indigo Raturalis,with itself surface active agents,it is effective to process Indigo Raturalis by foam floatation technique.

Objective To study the process of foam flotation in separation of Indigo Naturalis in a continuous mode and to optimize the operational conditions.Methods Taking content and rate of recovery rate of indigo as index to investigate the single factors,such as the height of collecting region,the height of froth layer,flushing water rate,delivery rate,air flow rate,and aerating velocity,to study the effect of continuous foam floatation on Indigo Naturalis,and to optimize the process conditions finally.Results The flotation performance is good when the height of collecting region is 1.5 m,the height of froth layer is 30 cm,the delivery rate is 0.1 cm/s,the flushing water rate is 0.01 cm/s,the aerating velocity is 1.5 cm/s.The recovery rate of indigo is more than 75% and indgo content is over 5.0%.Conclusion Foam flotation technique is stable and can be used to the separation of Indigo Naturalis in a continuous mode.And this study is the foundation of semi-works production of Indigo Naturalis.

AIM:To optimize the flocculation-clarification process of Danshen aqueous extract.METHODS:Based on the single factor experiment,the turbidity of the index components danshensu,protecatechnic aldehyde concentration in the Danshen aqueous extract after flocculation were choose among the kinds and amount of flocculant and flocculation temperature.RESULTS:The turbidity of the chitosan-treated supernatant was lower than that of the ZTC1+1Ⅱ-treated ones,and this treatment can mitigate the membrane fouling better.CONCLUSION:Chitosan is superior to ZTC1+1Ⅱ as the flocculant of the Danshen aqueous extract.

Objective To study the effect of Aloe polysaccharides (AP) on the thymocytic apoptosis and cell cycle in ? - ray irradiated mice. Methods Single- cell thymocytes suspension was sampled at different time points to observe the thymocytic apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry. DNA ladders were tested by 1.8 % agarose gel electrophoresis. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of thymocytes. Results Pre- treating with AP (50 mg/kg,ip) 30 min before irradiation could significantly decrease the percentages of apoptotic thymocytes in? - ray irradiated mice 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after irradiation, increase the percentage of thymocytes at G0/G1 phase and reduce the percentage of thymocytes at G2/M phase. It could also lessen the DNA ladders and reduce the number of apoptotic bodies. Conclusion The protective effects of AP on the thymocytes in ? - ray irradiated mice is related with the alleviation of the disorder of cell cycle and the inhibition of the apoptosis of thymocytes.