Objective To evaluate the effects of meglumine cyclic adenylate (MCA) pretreatment on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats.Methods Fifty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats,aged 2-3 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =18 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),ALI group and MCA pretreatment group (group MCA).ALI was induced with LPS 10 mg/kg injected via the femoral vein in ALI and MCA groups.In group MCA,MCA 2 mg/kg was injected via the femoral vein at 20 min before LPS injection,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in C and LPS groups.Immediately before LPS injection and at 2 and 4 h after LPS injection,the blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta for determination of PaO2,PaCO2 and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10).Six rats were sacrificed at 4 h after LPS injection and pulmonary specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes and for determination of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) activity (by ELISA) and NF-κB p65 expression in nucleus (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,PaO2 and cAMP activity in lung tissues were significantly decreased,and PaCO2,plasma concentrations of IL-10 and TNF-α and NF-κB p65 expression in nucleus in lung tissues were increased in group LPS.Compared with group LPS,PaO2,cAMP activity in lung tissues and plasma concentrations of IL-10 were significantly increased,and PaCO2,plasma concentration of TNF-α and NF-κB p65 expression in nucleus in lung tissues were decreased and the pathologic changes of lungs were attenuated in group MCA.Conclusion MCA pretreatment can attenuate ALI induced by LPS,and the mechanism is related to increased level of cAMP,activated cAMP signaling pathway,inhibited NF-κB activity and reduced inflammatory responses in lung tissues of rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of nicotine pretreatment on cardiac function following myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):sham operation group (group S),group I/R and nicotine pretreatment group (group N).The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20％ urethane 1 g/kg,tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated.Myocardial ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.The left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was only exposed,but not occluded in group S.Nicotine 400 μg/kg was injected intravenously via the right jugular vein at 30 min before myocardial ischemia in group N.The equal volume of normal saline was injected instead in groups S and I/R.Before ischemia,at 30 min of ischemia and at 30 and 120 min of reperfusion,10 rats from each group were chosen for record of left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP),± dp/dtmax,HR and mean arterial pressure (MAP).Blood samples were collected from the right carotid artery of the left 10 rats in each group at 60 min of reperfusion to measure plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations.Results Compared with group S,MAP and LVSP at T2,3 and HR,LVDP and ± dp/dtmax at T1-3 were significantly decreased,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were increased in group I/R,and LVDP at T1,2 and HR and ± dp/dtmax at T1-3 were significantly decreased,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were increased in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,MAP,HR,LVSP,LVDP and ± dp/dtmax were significantly increased at T3,and the plasma CK-MB activity and cTnI and TNF-α concentrations were decreased in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Nicotine pretreatment can reduce myocardial I/R injury through activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,thus improving cardiac function in rats.

Objective To investigate the correlation between spot albuminuria to creatinine ratio (ACR) and 24 h urinary protein excretion in women with preeclampsia and determine the optimal cut-off values of spot ACR in mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia.Methods Twenty-eight women with mild preeclampsia and 22 with severe preeclampsia at Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University between October 2010 and June 2011 were recruited.Maternal serum cystatin,uric acid,mea nitrogen,creatinine and albumin levels were collected and analyzed.Twenty-four hours urinary protein excretion was measured with immunoturbidimetric assay and ACR with automatic analyzer DCA2000.The correlation between ACR and 24 hours urinary protein excretion was explored.And the optimal cut-off values of the spot ACR for mild and severe preeclampsia were determined with receiver operating characteristic curve.Results ( 1 )Maternal serum biochemical parameters:uric acid levels in mild and severe preeclampsia were (359 ± 114)μmol/L and (450 ± 132) μmol/L,while cystatin levels were ( 1.3 ±0.3) mg/L and ( 1.6 ±0.5) mg/L respectively.The differences were statistically significant ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Serum urea nitrogen,creatinine and albumin in mild preeclampsia were(3.6 ± 1.6) mmol/L,(52 ± 38 ) μmol/L and ( 33 ± 3 ) g/L,while in severe preeclampsia were( 6.2 ± 3.1 ) mmol/L,( 78 ± 59 ) μmol/L and ( 29 ± 6 ) g/L respectively.There were no statistical significant differences ( P ＞ 0.05 ).(2) Twenty-four hours urinary protein excretion and ACR:24 hours urinary protein levels in mild and severe preeclampsia was (700 ± 160) mg and (4800 ±2200) mg (P＜0.05).ACR in mild and severe preeclampsia was (72.7 ± 12.4) mg/mmol and (401 ±245) mg/mmol respectively (P ＜ 0.05 ).(3) There was a strong correlation between the spot ACR and 24hours urine protein excretion ( r =0.938 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).( 4 ) The optimal spot ACR cut-off point for the diagnosis of preeclampsia:the optimal spot ACR cut-off point was 22.8 mg/mmol for 300 mg/24 hours of protein excretion in mild preeclampsia,the area under curve was 0.956,with a sensitivity,specificity of 82.4％,99.4％ respectively.And the optimal spot ACR cut-off point was 155.6 mol for 2000 mg/24 hours of protein excretion in severe preeclampsia,the area under curve was 0.956,with a sensitivity,specificity of 88.6％,91.3％ respectively.Conclusions Compared with 24 hours urinary protein excretion,the spot ACR may be a simple,convenient and accurate indicator of early diagnosis of preeclampsia.Spot ACR may be used as a replacement for 24 hours urine protein excretion in assessment of preeclampsia.The optimal spot ACR cut off points were 22.8 mg/mmol for mild preeclampsia and 155.6 mg/mmol for severe preeclampsia.

Objective To determine the random spot albuminuria to creatinine ratio (ACR) of normal pregnant women , to track the pregnancy outcome , and to discuss the predictive value of ACR in women with hy-pertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP). Methods Except for 87 pregnant women suffering from HDCP, 2 038 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. ACR, routine examinations of blood and urine, blood biochemical, 24-hr urinary protein were determined. Results ACR, but not 24-hr urinary protein level,was sig-nificantly higher in women with HDCP. There was positive correlation between the ACR and 24-hr urinary protein quantitation. Age, gestational weeks, ACR, red blood cells, fasting plasma glucose, serum creatinine, total pro-tein were the independent risk factors for HDCP. The sensitivity , specificity and optimal cut off value of ACR for predicting HDCP were 0.78, 0.63, 1.46 mg/mmol. Conclusions There was positive correlation between ACR and 24-hr urinary protein quantitation , and ACR provided a more sensitive pathway for early predictionof HDCP.

Objective To investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)on the pathological structure and cytokine expression of lung tissue in septic model of diabetic rats. Methods Diabetic rats were ran-domly divided into control,sham-operation,sepsis and MSC-treated groups. The diabetic model was induced by high-sucrose and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin and cecal ligation and puncture. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed at 6,12,18 and 24 hours after operation respectively,and the expression of SP-D,TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-10 in lungs were measured.Results The levels of SP-D,TNF-α and IFN-γ in lung tissue increased gradually with the elongation of time after CLP. The expression of IL-10 in lung tissue increased and then decreased. The trend of MSC intervention increased the content of SP-D,TNF-α and IL-10 in the lung tissue of non-diabetic septic rat model and reduced the content of IFN-γ.MSC intervention reduced the SP-D and TNF-α content.The intervention of MSC had no effect on the content of IFN-γ in the lung tissue of diabetic septic rats.However,it increased and then decreased the content of IL-10.Conclusions The model of sepsis in diabetic rats can be established by feeding combined high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin combined with cecal ligation and puncture. Mesenchymal stem cells affect sepsis inflammation and organ damage. But its specific role depends on the immune status and the timing of mesenchymal stem cell selection.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects on cell proliferation and invasion as well as molecular basis after suppressing EZH2 expression in endometrial carcinoma cells by using siRNAs.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to examine the expression of EZH2 in endometrial carcinoma and their paracancerous tissues. SiRNAs targeting to EZH2 were transfected to endometrial carcinoma cells, and MTT, FACS, and boyden assays were utilized to examine cell proliferation, cell cycle change, and cell invasion. Finally, the molecular mechanisms of EZH2 on cell function alteration were investigated.

RESULTSCompared with paracancerous tissues, increased expression trend of EZH2 mRNA was showed in endometrial carcinoma tissues. Further, knocking down EZH2 expression inhibited cell growth, cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase, and cell invasion ability. Molecular basis indicated that suppression of EZH2 downregulated the expression of E2F1 and MMP9 and upregulated tumor suppressor p21 expression.

CONCLUSIONEZH2 expression is increased in endometrial carcinoma tissues. Knocking down EZH2 expression suppresses the cell growth, cell cycle transition and cell invasion by downregulated E2F1 and MMP9, and upregulated tumor suppressor p21 expression.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Female ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the determination of N-butylbenzene in the workplace atmosphere by gas chromatography.

METHODSN-butylbenzene in the workplace atmosphere was collected by activated charcoal tube, desorbed using carbon disulfide, and determined by capillary column gas chromatography.

RESULTSThe method showed a linear relationship within the range of 0∼100 µg/ml. The regression equation was y = 0.870x-0.014, with the correlation coefficient r being 0.999 9. The limit of detection was 0.32 µg/ml. The minimum detectable concentration was 0.21 mg/m³ (with sampled air volume of 1.5 L). The average spike recovery rate was 97.8%∼102.6%. The within-run precision was 3.06% and the between-run precision was 3.64%. The rate of average desorption was 99.6%. The breakthrough volume was 6.34 mg. The sampling efficiency was 100%. The samples could be stored for at least 7 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONAll parameters of the method meet the requirements of GBZ/T 210.4-2008 "Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace" and can be applied for the determination of N-butylbenzene in workplace atmosphere.

Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Benzene Derivatives ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Linear Models ; Workplace

BACKGROUNDEndostar™ (rh-endostatin, YH-16) is a new recombinant human endostatin developed by Medgenn Bioengineering Co. Ltd., Yantai, Shandong, P.R.China. Pre-clinical study indicated that YH-16 could inhibit tumor endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth. Phase I and phase II studies revealed that YH-16 was effective as single agent with good tolerance in clinical use.The current study was to compare the response rate , median ti me to progression (TTP) ,clinical benefit andsafety in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) , who were treated with YH-16 plus vi-norelbine and cisplatin (NP) or placebo plus NP.

METHODSFour hundred and ninety-three histologically or cy-tologically confirmed stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients , withlife expectancy > 3 months and ECOG perform-ance status 0-2 , were enrolledin a randomized ,double-blind ,placebo-controlled , multicenter trial ,either trialgroup : NP plus YH-16 (vinorelbine 25 mg/m² on day 1 and day 5 ,cisplatin 30mg/m² on days 2 to 4 , YH-167.5mg/m² on days 1 to 14) or control group : NP plus placebo (vinorelbine 25 mg/m² on day 1 and day 5 ,cis-platin 30 mg/m² on days 2 to 4 ,0.9% sodium-chloride 3 .75 ml on days 1 to 14) every 3 weeks for 2-6 cycles .The trial endpoints included response rate ,clinical benefit rate ,time to progression,quality of life and safety .

RESULTSOf 486 assessable patients , overall response rate was 35.4% in trial group and 19.5% in controlgroup (P=0 .0003) . The median TTP was 6 .3 months and 3 .6 months for trial group and control group respectively (P < 0 .001) . The clinical benefit rate was 73 .3 %in trial group and 64.0% in control group (P=0 .035) .In untreated patients of trial group and control group ,the response rate was 40 .0% and 23.9%(P=0 .003) ,the clinical benefit rate was 76 .5 % and 65 .0 % (P=0 .023) ,the median TTP was 6 .6 and 3 .7months (P=0 .0000) ,respectively .In pretreated patients of trial group and control group ,the response ratewas 23.9% and 8.5%(P=0 .034) ,the clinical benefit rate was 65.2% and 61.7%(P=0 .68) ,the median TTP was 5 .7 and 3 .2 months (P=0 .0002) ,respectively . The relief rate of clinical symptoms in trial groupwas higher than that of those in control group ,but no significance existed (P > 0 .05) . The score of quality oflife in trial group was significantly higher than that in control group (P=0 .0155) after treatment . There were no significant differences in incidence of hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity , moderate and severe sideeffects betweentrial group and control group .

CONCLUSIONSThe addition of YH-16 to NP regimen results in significantly and clinically meaningful improvement in response rate , median time to tumor progression,and clinical benefit rate compared with NP alone in advanced NSCLC patients . YH-16 in combination with chemotherapy shows a synergic activity and a favorable toxic profile in advanced cancer patients .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between maternal serum neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and placental inflammatory response (PIR) in late pregnancy.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of 478 pregnant women undergoing routine prenatal examination and delivery in our hospital in the year 2016. According to the placental pathological results, the women were divided into PIR group (238 cases) and control group (240 cases). The levels of serum inflammatory makers including leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP) and NLR were compared between the two groups to analyze the association of these markers with PIR. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors of PIR. Logistic regression model was established and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used for analyzing the prognostic value of these makers in late pregnancy.

RESULTSThe areas under the curve (AUC) of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, CRP and NLR were 0.698 (95%: 0.485-0.766), 0.716 (95%: 0.453-0.783), 0.329 (95%: 0.228-0.431), 0.725 (95%: 0.677-0.765) and 0.801 (95%: 0.742-0.856), respectively. After adjusting the confounders, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preterm labor (OR=2.446, 95%: 1.003-4.590), premature rupture of membranes (OR=2.304, 95%: 1.049-4.161), NLR > 7 (OR=3.268, 95%: 2.071-6.920), and CRP > 15 mg/L (OR=2.137, 95%: 1.412-8.236) were independent risk factors for PIR.

CONCLUSIONSAn increased NLR in late pregnancy can serve as an effective indicator for predicting the risk of PIR.