Objective To screen the flocculatnt-producing strain from activated sludge that can treat azo dyeing wastewater effectively.Methods Screening and rescreening were used to acquire the strain which possesses high efficiency of flocculatant production and the strain was identified.The character of microbial flocculant(MBF) and the ability to treat azo dye wastewater were studied.Results A strain of high-efficiency bioflocculant-producting bacteria(AJ-6),initially identified as Alcaligenes sp,was screened.The bioflocculant produced by the strain was able to flocculate kaolin suspension with 94.4% and fly ash suspension with 98.9% respectively.The flocculation activity distribution tests showed that the active components of the bioflocculant existed in the supernatant fluid after centrifugation.It had good treatment efficiency in treating azo dyes methyl orange wastewater.The maximal efficiencies of removing CODCr and chroma from the wastewater were 81.3% and 94.2%.Compared with the other flocculants,the performance of MBF was better than that of polyacrylamide(PAM),aluminum sulfate,ferrous sulfate.The MBF was more thermostable when treated with 100 ℃ for 30 min,and the animal toxicity test showed that the MBF had no acute toxicity to mice.Conclusion The bioflocculant produced by the strain AJ-6 is applicable to treat azo dyeing wastewater and can be also used for the other wastewater.

Objective To establish a stable transplantation tolerance model by combined treatment with PTD-mFoxp3 fusion protein and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and study its application to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).Method BALB/c mice as recipients were randomly divided into four groups,accepted medical linear accelerator ray 3.0-Gy total body irradiation (TBI) before bone marrow transplantation (BMT),and injected with donor C57BL/6 mice bone marrow cells 3 × 107withinn 4-6 h.The BALB/c mice in group A were given PTD-mFoxp3 fusion protein through tail vein intermittently (day-2,0,1,3,5,7,9,11,13),those in group B given the same dose mFoxp3 protein,those in group C given normal saline,and those in blank control group given no treatment.The symptoms of GVHD were observed after BMT.Chimerisms were determined on the week 1,2,4,8 and12 post-BMT by flow cytometry.Liver and intestinal tissues were collected for pathological examination.Recipient immune response was assessed on the week 4 and 12 by mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) after BMT.Results The chimerism level in group A was high [(38.16 ± 3.09) ％] in the first 12 weeks after BMT,and that in group B and group C was reduced [(20.12 ± 4.75) ％ and (15.72 ± 2.36) ％ respectively,P＜0.05].MLR revealed that shown lymphocyte donor-derived lymphocyte proliferation rate at 4th and 12th week in group A was significantly lower than in other groups (P＜0.05).Pathological examination showed infiltration of lymphocytes in the liver and intestine was milder in group A than in other groups.Conclusion PTD-mFoxp3 fusion protein combined with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation can effectively establish a stable transplantation chimeric model and reduce the incidence of GVHD.

Objective To explore the value of echocardiography in percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA)closure for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation during procedure and for short-term follow-up.Methods Twenty patients were enrolled to undergo percutaneous LAA closure with the LAmbre device.Rheumatic valvular diseases were excluded by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)before the closure procedure.TEE was performed during the procedure for the trans-septal puncture and the release of the closure device.Combined TEE with angiographic measurements,guidance for the optimal device size was provided.The closure effect and procedure-related complications were observed immediately by TEE and also evaluated by TTE at 1-day and 1-month follow-up.Results All patients underwent LAA occlusion successfully.TEE color Doppler evaluation have shown nine patients with complete closure immediately,one with a ≤ 1 mm residual LAA leak,and ten with a 1 -3 mm jet.There were no other complications during the procedure.One day after the closure,small pericardial effusions were observed for three patients while two of the three were free of the pericardial effusion at the 1-month follow-up.During the short-term follow-up,no damage was found at any anatomical structures near LAA due to the closure process,and there was no significant difference of cardiac function before and after the procedure.Conclusions With the guidance of TEE,the successful rate of percutaneous LAA closure procedure was preferable and the occurrence rate of compliance was acceptable. And TTE played an important role in patients'short-term follow-up.

Objective To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-intragastric-administration on the survival time of mouse skin allografts and the role of interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-17 thereof. Methods The skin trans-plantation of mice was done by DBA/2 as donors and Balb/c as recipients. The recipients were divided randomly into three groups:control group, low-dose group and high-dose group. Mice of the corresponding groups were intragastrically adminis-tered corn oil, 10 mg/kg ATRA and 30 mg/kg ATRA respectively from 1 day before the transplantation to the 14th day after the transplantation. The survival time of transplanted skin was observed after the operations. Skin grafts of mice were harvested for histopathological examination in three groups. The serum levels of IL-23 and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of IL-23, RORγt and IL-17 mRNA in skin allografts were detected by re-al-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared with con-trol group, the average survival time of mouse skin allografts was significantly prolonged in low-dose group and high-dose group (P＜0.05). The less lymphocyte infiltration and destruction of architecture were found in the skin biopsies. The serum expression of IL-23 protein was lower (P＜0.05), but no significant difference was found in two treatment groups. The serum expression levels of IL-17 protein were reduced in turn in receptors of control group, low-dose group and high-dose group (P ＜ 0.05). The expression levels of IL-23, RORγt and IL-17 mRNA in skin grafts were significantly lower in low-dose group and high-dose group than those of control group (P＜0.05), but no significant difference was found in two treatment groups. Conclusion ATRA can effectively prolong the survival time of skin allografts, which may related with the inhibi-tion of the expression of IL-23, RORγt and IL-17 mRNA and the development of IL-23 and IL-17 protein.

BACKGROUND:Immunity of fetal liver stem cel transplantation is rarely reported, syngeneic and al ogeneic fetal liver stem cel transplantation in the treatment of hepatic cirrhosis is stil unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effects of syngeneic and al ogeneic fetal liver stem cel transplantation on hepatic cirrhosis as wel as immune rejections during the therapeutic process.
METHODS:The fetal liver stem/progenitor cel s from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were isolated and purified by the type IV col agen enzyme digestion method. A total of 104 healthy BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups. Normal control group:no treatment;Hepatic cirrhosis group, syngeneic transplantation group and al ogeneic transplantation group:16 weeks after hepatic cirrhosis models of mice were developed by intraperitoneal injection with carbon tetrachloride, physiological saline, syngeneic fetal liver stem cel s and al ogeneic fetal liver stem cel s were injected via the caudal vein. Final y, the survival statuses, liver function, hepatic fibrosis index, the number and ratio of immune cel s (CD4+T, CD8+T, NK, NKT) and histopathologic examinations were compared in each group after transplantation 4 weeks.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The survival rates in the two transplantation groups were both 100%, which was significantly higher than that in the hepatic cirrhosis group (67%, P<0.05). The liver function and liver fibrosis index in each group did not show statistical differences (P>0.05). Immunological tests showed no difference between groups (P>0.05). Pathohistology examination of hepatic tissue repair:Al ogeneic transplantation group>syngeneic transplantation group>hepatic cirrhosis group. Hence, fetal liver stem cel transplantation via the caudal vein could elevate the survival rate of hepatic cirrhosis mice, al eviate the degree of hepatocyte necrosis. There is no immunologic rejection during syngeneic and al ogeneic fetal liver stem cel transplantation that could help to treat hepatic cirrhosis in mice.

Background and purpose. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) However, platinum based chemotherapeutic regimen haves high toxicity profile to normal tissues. Lobaplatin (LBP) is a new third-generation antitumour platinum drug. Studies abroad have shown that Iobaplatin has an anticancer activity similar to cisplatin with better tolerance and is more effective for those who are resistant to cisplatin. This study was aimed to observe the effectiveness and toxicities of lobaplatin combined with vinorelbine (NVB) for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Methods: Sixty-four patients pathologically diagnosed as clinical stage Ⅲ_B-Ⅳ NSCLC who did not receive treatment before, were randomly assigned to two groups. NL group (NVB+LBP): LBP at a dose of 30 mg/m~2 intravenous infusion on day 1, and NVB at a dose of 25 mg/m~2 intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8. NP group (NVB+DDP): Cisplatin (DDP) at a dose of 30 mg/m~2 intravenous infusion on day 1, 2 and 3 and NVB at a dose of 25 mg/m~2 intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8. Treatments were repeated every 21-28 days for 3 cycles. Results: For 34 patients of NL group, there were CR (1 cases), PR(13 cases), NC(15 cases), and PD(5 cases). The overall response rate (RR) was 41.2%, disease control rate (DCR) was 85.3%. In NP group: RR was 43.3%, DCR was 83.3% (X~2=0.05, P>0.05). Median overall survival time was 8.6 months and 8.9 months for NL group and NP group, respectively. The main toxicities in NL group were myelosuppression. Digestive toxicity such as anorexia, nausea,vomiting were less than those in the NP group (X~2=7.43, P<0.05), Peripheral hour,toxicity, serious liver and renal toxicity were not observed in NL group. Conclusion: Compared with cisplatin plus vinorelbine, domestic lobaplatin with vinorelbine yielded similar efficacies for NSCLC, but had less toxicity and well tolerate.

Objective To measure left atrial appendage (LAA)in patients with atrial fibrillation using Flexi Slice imaging by real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE),and compare with common multiplane TEE.Methods Forty-six patients with atrial fibrillation were performed 2D and real time 3D TEE.Zero degree,45°,90° and 135° plane were acquired by 2D TEE and Flexi Slice remolding. Maximum and minimum values of ostium of left atrial appendage were acquired in the short axis view of LAA by Flexi Slice remolding.Results Compared with 2D TEE,values acquire by Flexi Slice in measurement of LAA ostium showed no significant difference(P >0.05).The depth measurement by Flexi Slicein 45° and 90° plane showed significant difference with 2D TEE (P-values were successively 0.045, 0.002),and in 0 and 135° plane showed no difference.All values measured by 2D TEE and Flexi Slices showed significant correlation.Bland-Altman plot showed that 94.29% of plots were among limits of agreement,which was (-2.5 mm,2.9 mm).The maximum values of LAA ostium values ranged from 30° to 160°,among which 87% (40/46 cases)distributed between 90° and 1 50°,and minimum values ranged from 0°to 160°,among which 85%(39/46 cases)distributed between 0°and 60°.Conclusions Measurement of LAA can be well achieved by Flexi Slice imaging,which showed significant advantage compared with 2D TEE.

Acute Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Stroke ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Naoningkang Granule (NG), a Chinese medicinal preparation formulated for clearing heat and detoxication, on brain tissue in intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) rats.

METHODSRats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the sham operated group, the model group and the high-, medium- and low-dose NG groups. Collagenase VII was injected into caudate nucleus to induce rat model of ICH, corresponding dosage of NG was started to give to the 3 NG groups by gastrogavage 2 h after modeling, and saline of equal volume was given to the other 2 groups instead. The brain tissue of rats was taken in batches at the 3rd and 7th day for pathomorphological observation using HE stain, and detection of thrombin receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and nerve cell apoptosis in the peripheral tissue of hemorrhagic brain with immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay, as well as for measurement of water content in brain tissue by wet-to-dry weight method.

RESULTSPAR-1 expression elevated in the model rats. As compared with the model group, the pathomorphological changes significantly improved, PAR-1 expression decreased, apoptotic cells re-duced and brain edema alleviated in the 3 NG groups.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of PAR-1 in the brain tissue might mediate the nerve cell apoptosis and brain edema in ICH rats. The mechanism of NG in protecting hemor-rhagic brain tissue might be related with its actions in inhibiting the post-cerebral high PAR-1 expression to re-duce cell apoptosis and relieve brain edema.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Edema ; prevention & control ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, PAR-1 ; biosynthesis

Objective To improve the canines myocardial infarction curative effect by using ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) combining with nuclear localization signal(NLS) peptide to increase hAng-1 gene transfection efficiency.Methods Forty-six canines were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 in each group) after the models of myocardial infarction were prepared.Group A were untreated control;Group B were transfected with hAng-1;Group C were transfected with UTMD+hAng-1;Group D were transfected with UTMD+NLS nuclear localization signal+hAng-1.The therapeutic agents were intravenously injected at one week after myocardial infarction in each group,and the ultrasound were irradiated at the precardium in group C and D.①Echocardiography was used before and at one week after myocardial infarction and 28 days after gene transfection.Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function,the left ventricular ejection fraction,the left ventricular wall motion and the myocardial contrast echocardiography were used to detect myocardial perfusion of all canines in the four groups.②On twenty-eight days after gene transfection,mRNA and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of hAng-1.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect capillary density of peri-infarct area and microvessel density (MVD).Masson′s trichromatic staining and gross specimen were used to evaluate the degree and the area of myocardial fibrosis.The gene transfection efficiency and the curative effect of all the four groups were evaluated and compared.Results ①Before myocardial infarction,in four groups canine ventricular wall motion and cardiac function were normal,and myocardial filling defect was not showed by myocardial contrast echocardiography.At one week after myocardial infarction,the left ventricular anterior and interval walls motion and the left ventricular ejection fraction in the four groups were significantly decreased.Myocardial contrast echocardiography showed anterior and interval walls myocardial filling defect.There was no significant difference among the four groups(P>0.05);On 28 days after gene transfection the left ventricular ejection fraction in the four group were increased in an order of group A,B,C,D,there was significant difference when comparing group C and D with other groups separately(P<0.05).Myocardial contrast echocardiography showed much contrast filling in the infarction and surrounding area in group D,a little contrast filling in group C and filling defect in group A and group B,there was significant difference when comparing group C and D with other groups separately(P<0.05).②RT-PCR and Western Blot showed the hAng-1 mRNA and protein expression in group D were higher than those in the other group.There was significant difference when comparing group C and group D with other groups separately(P<0.05).③Immunofluorescence showed the capillary densities were(4.7±1.6)/mm2,(11.2±2.8)/mm2,(70.0±6.4)/mm2 and (85.3±7.0)/mm2 in group A,group B,group C and group D.The differences were statistically significant compared group C and group D with other groups (P<0.05).④Masson′s trichromatic staining and cardiac gross specimen showed that the degree and area of myocardial fibrosis were gradually reduced in an order of group A,B,C,D.Conclusions UTMD and NLS peptide could effectively transfect hAng-1 gene and it provided a novel strategy of gene treatment for ischemic heart disease.