OBJECTIVE To study the carriage,the risk factors and the antibiotic resistant pattern of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized children with respiratory infection below 3 years old.METHODS A total of 453 children with respiratory infection hospitalized at Children′s Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou Jiangsu Province from Mar 2006 to Mar 2007 were enrolled and given deep orotracheal aspiration(OTA) technique to get the sputum.S.pneumoniae strains were tested and analyzed.RESULTS The carriage rate of S.pneumoniae was 9.3% which was related with age and season.The percentage of resistance to penicillin,erythromycin,tetracycline,clindamycin,chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 16.7%,100%,95.2%,95.2%,14.3% and 73.8%,respectively.No resistant strains to ceftriaxone,ofloxacin and vancomycin were detected.All S.pneumoniae strains were resistant to multiple drugs.CONCLUSIONS The carriage of S.pneumoniae in respiratory infected children below 3 years old in Suzhou area is relatively low.Age and incidence season are the risk factors.The antibiotic resistance is serious.

Objective To study the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP) and the activation of DCs in OVA-induced murine asthma model, and investigate the effects and underlying mecha-nisms of TSLP on lung inflammation. Methods Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, OVA group and TSLP neutralizing antibody treated group. The asthma model was evaluated by airway responsiveness and histological analysis of lung tissues ; The levels of TSLP mRNA in lungs were determined by quantitative real-time PCR; The expression of TSLP in lungs were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot; The expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 in BALF was detected by FACS. Results Both the histological analysis of lung tissues and the airway responsiveness were all consistent with the characteris-tic of murine asthma model. The expression of TSLP and TSLP mRNA in the OVA group was significantly in-creased compared with blank group. The expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 in BALF from OVA group was increased significantly compared with the control group. Furthermore, treating mice with TSLP neutralizing antibody reduced the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 on dendritic cells, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the OVA group. Conclusion Our study indicate that TSLP was highly expressed in the bronchial epithelia of murine asthma model, via upregulation of CD40, CD80, CD86, induce DCs to active CD4~+ T cells and pro-duce type 2 responses, so that aggravating the lung inflammation of asthma. Blocking TSLP is capable of in-hibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, thus presents a promising strategy for the treatment of asthma.

Objective To investigate the influences of mutation at precore and basic core promoter(BCP) region in hepatitis B virus(HBV) on the immune response of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL) in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods The number of specific CTL in peripheral blood mononuclear(PBMC) of CHB patients were tested by cytokine flow cytome- try(CFC) and HBV core18-27 peptide.HBV precore and BCP fragments were directly sequenced. Results Twenty-one(38.9%) samples were HBV precore G1896A mutation.Twenty-six(48.1%) samples were BCP region 1762/1764 combined mutation.Thirteen(24.1%) stains were three sites mutated simultaneously.Stimulated with HBV core 18-27 in vitro,the specific CTL level was signifi- cantly higher in the patients with G1896A mutation and BCP region mutation [(0.41?0.09)%, (0.36?0.08)%,(0.48?0.08)%,respectively]than those without mutation[(0.11?0.06)%, P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic significance of basophil activation test (BAT) in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media through testing the content of CD63, mast cell-carboxypeptidase A3 (MC-CPA3), and terminal complement complex SC5b-9 of the individuals by testing their levels in the normal immune group and the anaphylaxis groups to β-lactam drugs and non -ionic contrast media. METHODS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of MC-CPA3 in blood serum and SC5b-9 in blood plasma were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood, the levels of MC-CPA3 and SC5b-9 of anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media and β-lactam drugs were significantly higher than that in normal immune group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There is activation of basophilic granulocytes, mast cells and complement system in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media. BAT can be used to diagnose the anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media.
Anaphylaxis/diagnosis* ; Basophils/cytology* ; Carboxypeptidases A/metabolism* ; Complement Membrane Attack Complex/metabolism* ; Contrast Media ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocytes/cytology* ; Humans ; Mast Cells/cytology* ; Tetraspanin 30/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential mechanisms of leukemia cell resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) -induced apoptosis.

METHODSCells apoptosis, changes of mitochondrial membrane potential, activity of NF-kappaB, activity of caspase-8 and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in TRAIL treated K562 and CEM cells, were detected by flowcytometry, ELISA and Western blotting methods, respectively.

RESULTSAfter treated with TRAIL, the apoptosis indexes were 29.98% and 14.1%, and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased to 73.25% and 25.4% in K562 and CEM cells respectively. Constitutive level of caspase-8 expression in CEM was lower than that in K562 cells. Both cells became over-expressed Bcl-xL and down-regulated Bax. The ratio of Bcl-xL/Bax in CEM cells was higher than that in K562 cells. Compared with that in K562, the NF-kappaB activity increased significantly in CEM after treatment with TRAIL in early stage.

CONCLUSIONCEM cells were more resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis than K562 cells did. The potential mechanisms associated with CEM drug resistance might be the lower expression of the constitutive level of caspase-8, lower sensitivity of mitochondrial inner membrane, early increase in NF-KB activity and altered expression of Bcl-2 proteins family.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Ligands ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of PCMV-FGEV transfection on the profile of SMMC-7721 hepatocellular in vitro in vivo.

METHODSSMMC-7721 hepatocellular was transfected with PCMV-FGEV antisense, PCMV-VEGF sense and empty vector plasmid encapsulated by lipofectamine. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The stable transfection and expression of VEGF in the SMMC-7721 hepatocellular were determined by in situ hybridization and immunochemical analysis. The effect of PCMV-FGEV transfection on SMMC-7721 hepatocellular proliferation was observed by MTT colorimetric assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of PCMV-FGEV transfection on cell apoptosis of SMMC-7721. The growth of transfected cells was also observed in nude mice.

RESULTSThere was reduced VEGF expression in SMMC-7721 transfected with PCMV-FGEV confirmed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis. There was no effect of PCMV-FGEV transfection on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of SMMC-7721 in vitro. The growth of cell with PCMV-FGEV transfected was slow in nude mice (vivo) and accompanied with obvious apoptosis. The latent time of tumor in the antisense mice group was 25.0+/-1.8 days, which was longer than that in sense and control group significantly (F=19.455, P<0.01). On the other hand, the average tumor weight in antisense group (0.96 g+/-0.28 g) was the smallest among the three groups (F=21.501, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of VEGF was inhibited by PCMV-FGEV. There was no effect on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of SMMC-7721 by transferring PCMV-FGEV gene into SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. But in vivo it can inhibit tumor growth and induce cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; RNA, Antisense ; therapeutic use ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of mitochondrial pathways on apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells induced by Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand and offer evidences for TRAIL application in clinic.

METHODSApoptosis, integration of mitochondria (including DeltaPsim, cardiolipin), activity of Caspase-9 and release of cytochrome c in colon carcinoma cells SW1116 treated with TRAIL, were detected by means of flowcytometry, fluorometer method and western-blot at the different time point.

RESULTSAfter treated with TRAIL for 4 hours, the apoptosis index was 32.98%, and the damage of mitochondria occurred with DeltaPsim, cardiolipin decreased, and the activity of Caspase-9 and cytochrome c increased. The Caspase-9 activity at 24 hour was (48.12+/-2.21)micromol.L(-1).h(-1).mg(-1) protein. Mitochondrial damage induced by TRAIL could be inhibited by Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD. fmk.

CONCLUSIONMitochondrial pathways involved in the apoptosis of colon carcinoma cell induced by TRAIL. Cytochrome c was released and Caspase-9 was activated in the Caspase-dependent manner after the damage of mitochondrial.

Apoptosis ; Cardiolipins ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; metabolism ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the relationship between cognitive function and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) by analyzing brain MRI diffusion-weighted imaging,diffusion tensor imaging,serological markers,and cognitive function.Methods We evaluated 49 random patients with SHPT.We adopted two functional scales to evaluate cognitive function and performed MRI fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to evaluate white matter function of brain functional areas.We recorded serological markers,and conducted statistical analysis to analyze correlation among cognitive function scores,brain MRI in white matter functional areas,and biochemical parameters.Results We found that at the frontal area,the FA and ADC values were correlated with the MMSE language and memory function scores;at the parietal area,the FA and ADC values were correlated to the MoCA visuospatial executive function scores;the other areas had no significant correlation with cognitive function scale score.Cognitive function was negatively correlated with immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels but positively correlated with education level,while it was not correlated with sex,age,blood pressure,and serum calcium levels in patients with SHPT.Conclusion In patients with SHPT,cognitive function is correlated with iPTH level and education level.The FA and ADC values of brain MRI in the frontal and parietal lobes might play a diagnostic role in evaluating cognitive function and locating injury for patients with SHPT,which requires clinical attention.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of agmatine (Agm) on the electrical activity of neurons in subfornical organ (SFO) slices using extracellular recording technique. The results are as follows. (1) In response to the application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate for 2 min, the discharge rate of 24/28 (85.7%) subfornical neurons was decreased significantly, while the discharge rate of 4/28 (14.3%) neurons were not affected. (2) Pretreatment with L-glutamate (0.3 mmol/L) led to a marked increase in the discharge rate of 19/24 (79.2%) subfornical neurons in an epileptiform pattern and the activity of the remaining 5/24 (20.8%) neurons was unaffected. By application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate for 2 min, the epileptiform dicharge of 15/19 (78.9%) neurons was suppressed significantly, while that of the other 4 (21.1%) neurons was not inhibited. (3) In 12 neurons, perfusion of the selective L-type calcium channel agonist, Bay K-8644 (0.1 micromol/L), induced a significant increase in the discharge rate of 10/12 (83.3%) neurons, while the other 2 (16.7%) neurons showed no change. The increased discharge of 8/10 (80%) neurons was reduced by application of Agm (1.0 micromol/L) into the superfusate and that of 2/10 (20%) neurons was not affected. (4) Application of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 micromol/L) into the superfusate also significantly increased the discharge rate of 6/9 (66.7%) neurons, and that of 3/9 (33.3%) neurons had no response. Agm (1.0 micromol/L) applied into the superfusate reduced the increased discharge of all 6/6 (100%) neurons. These results suggest that Agm can inhibit the spontaneous discharge, and L-glutamate, Bay K-8644- or L-NAME-induced discharge of neurons in SFO. These inhibitory effects of Agm may be related to the blockade of NMDA receptors and reduction in calcium influx in SFO neurons.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Agmatine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channel Agonists ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Drug ; agonists ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Subfornical Organ ; drug effects ; physiology

Objective To investigate the effects of acupoint injection of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) on treatment of children with autistic spectrum disorders in different age groups. Methods Totally 80 cases of children with autistic spectrum disorders were divided into control group and experiment group according to random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was given structured education, ABA behavioral training, sensory integration training, and language training, 30 min for each class, 4 h each day, 5 d a week, for 5 months. At the same time, the control group was also given head needling treatment, once every other day, 3 times a week, 30 times as one treatment course, 2 courses. On the basis of the treatment of the control group, experiment group was given mNGF through acupoint injection, once every other day, 3 times a week, 10 times as one treatment course, 10 d between each treatment course, 5 courses in total. The scores of autism behavior checklist (ABC), children autism and related developmental disorders psychological education rating scale-Chinese version (C-PEP), neuropsychological development scale among children aged 0–6 years in the two groups were compared. Results Compared with before treatment, ABC scores in both group after treatment decreased significantly (P<0.05); ABC scores after treatment in children aged 18–36 months and 37–54 months in the experiment group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Neuropsychological development scale scores in children aged 18–36 months and 37–54 months were better than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, C-PEP scores of both groups increased significantly (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in the C-PEP scores in children aged 18–36 months between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). The C-PEP scores in children aged 18–36 months increased to the highest (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint injection of mNGF can improve the clinical symptoms and intelligence of ASD children of all ages, but children can receive better treatment effects at younger ages.