Rituximab ( RTX) is a monoclonal antibody to the CD 20 antigen on B-cells that was initially designed and approved for the treatment of non-Hodgkin′s B-cell lymphoma and has emerged as a potent immunosuppressant for many immune -mediated disea-ses.Given its efficacy , tolerability and safety profile in comparison to more conventional treatment regimens , RTX is rapidly emerging as a critical therapeutic modality for glomerular disease .The paper reviews the role of RTX in the treatment of ANCA-associated vascul-itis, lupus nephritis , mixed cryoglobulinemia , membranous nephropathy , minimal change disease , and focal segmental glomeruloscle-rosis.

BACKGROUND: Jaw defects are common clinically. It is desirable to find ideal seed cells combined with scaffolds to construct tissue engineered jaws for curing these diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the growth characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene after seeded on coral scaffold in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An experimental study of bone tissue engineering was performed in the Research Institute of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University between March 2006 and June 2008. MATERIALS: Natural coral from China Hainan bench was made into pieces of 8 mm×8 mm×2 mm. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from New England rabbits by density gradient centrifugation and then purified by adherent separation. bFGF-pcDNA3 gene was transfected into BMSCs using Lipofectamine TM 2000. bFGF gene-transfected (transfected group) or untransfected (untransfected group)BMSCs were seeded on different coral scaffolds. In addition, bFGF gene-transfected BMSCs were simply cultured but not on the coral scaffold for control (simple culture group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and BMSC growth on coral scaffold was observed under the scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that the BMSC proliferation rate was significantly higher in the transfected group than in the untransfected group (P < 0.05) and that there was no significant difference in BMSC proliferation between the transfected and simple culture groups (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscope results displayed that BMSCs adhered to and spread over the coral scaffold, exhibiting various appearances, with some cells had grown into scaffold micropores or spanned micropore surface, and some extracellular matrix secreted by BMSCs were found. CONCLUSION: The transfected group exhibited better growth of BMSCs transfected by bFGF gene than the untransfected group. These findings indicate that coral skeleton does not influence BMSC proliferation and can be used as a scaffold of BMSCs to construct tissue-engineered bone.

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effects of traditional chinese medicine Compound Liuyuexue (CLYX) on hepatitis B surface antigen(DHBsAg) and hepatitis B e-antigen(DHBeAg).METHODS: One-day old guangxi brown spotted ducks infected with DHBV were used as the hepatitis B virus infected animal model. Positive ducks were detected by PCR at 13 days after the infection of DHBV, and were randomly divided into five groups: the high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group of Compound Liuyuexue(CLYX), model group, and positive control group, with 10 ducks in each group. CLYX was given ig.for 14 days. Serum sampling was scheduled at 0, 7, 14 days respectively and 3 days after drug withdrawal, and the contents of DHBsAg and DHBeAg in serum were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The serum DHBsAg and DHBeAg contents in high dose and middle dose groups of CLYX were decreased significantly(P

Objective To establish a rapid method for the isolation of murine peritoneal macrophages. Methods Abdominal lavage was performed with NS and the peritoneal macrophages was purified from the lavage,which was later transferred into high glucose DMEM cul-ture medium. Cell viability was measured via the typan blue staining. Purity was observed via Wright's stain. Results High purity macropha-ges with typical morphology were obtained. Conclusion A simple and realistic method was set up for the isolation of murine peritoneal mac-rophages.

Objective To study the physiological indicators and arterial blood gas values,and create a reliable data for researchers using beagle dogs.Methods Beagle were sampled before and after Zoletil anesthesia (10 mg/kg) via intramuscular injection.Then aterial blood gas was detected by blood gas analyzer.Then the physiological indicators,including heart rate,blood pressure and body temperature were measured via large animal ECG.Results For blood gas values,the pH value decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).pCO2 increased significantly and pO2 decreased significantly,the differences were significantly (P ＜ 0.05).In contrast,levels of Lac and HCO3-remained unaltered,indicating a typical respiratory acidosis.For physiological indicators,blood pressure increased slightly,but not significant.The heart rate increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01) and body temperature decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).There was no difference between sexes.Conclusion Zoletil anesthesia causes respiratory arrest and respiratory congestion,which further induced respiratory acidosis.Meanwhile,anesthesia also results in elevated heart rhythm and lower body temperature.These data indicate that warming and airway clear are necessary during anesthesia in Beagles.Moreover,it should be considered about the effects of anaesthetics when comparing differents in animals before and after treatment.

AIM:To study the isolation and composition of Cliffbean(Millettia pulchra kurz)polysaccharide.METHODS:Cliffbean was extracted by boiling water.The polysaccharide in the filtrate was precipitated fractionally by alcohol.The protein in the product was removed by Sevag method,and was further purified by DEAE ion-exchange cellulose(DEAE-52).The component of the saccharide was determined by GC and TLC.RESULTS:The polysaccharide obtained in this way didn't contain protein and nucleic acid.It showed a single polysaccharide when identified by means of Sephadex G-75 column or High Performance Gel Permeation Chromatography(HPGPC).It was composed of glucose and arabinose.CONCLUSION:Cliffbean polysaccharide was first isolated from its root and was one of the important components.

Aim To observe the effects of LYS polysaccharides on expressions of APP, PS1, PS2 and ApoE in SAMP8 mouse brain. Methods 50 6-month-old SAMP8 mice were used and divided randomly into 5 groups: SAMP8 untreated control group, huperzine A control group, low-, mid-and high-dose groups of polysaccharides, with 10 mice in each group. 10 6-month-old SAMR1 mice were used as normal control. After each group was treated by corresponding drug for 40 days continuously, the mRNA contents of APP, PS1, PS2 and ApoE in brain tissue were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results The low-, mid-and high-dose groups of polysaccharides could reduce the mRNA contents of APP, PS1 and PS2, which showed a dose-effect relationship in some degrees. But it could not affect the content of ApoE. Conclusion LYS polysaccharides could inhibit the expressions of APP, PS1, and PS2 in SAMP8 mouse brain.

AIM:To study the inhibitory effect of Compound Liuyuexue(Tarphochlamys affinis(Giff) Bremekhu,Herba Hedyotis,Raidx Gardeniae,etc.)(CLYX) on HBV in vitro.METHODS:The serum containing CLYX was added to cultured HepG2.2.15 cells,and HepG2.2.15 cells were cultured in medium containing the serum with CLYX for 72 h and 144 h.The culture media were collected for determining the levels of HBsAg and HBeAg by ELISA.RESULTS:The serum containing CLYX could markedly inhibit HBsAg and HBeAg expressions in the HepG2.2.15 cells(P

BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that the surface treatment methods such as silane coupling agent and sand blasting could improve bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. In addition, the increase of micro cracks on the surface of zirconia ceramics can also improve the bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. But there is a lack of related studies addressing whether repeatedly sintering would have an impact on shear bond strength of zirconia ceramics.
OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of decorative porcelain temperature firing on the shear bond strength between dental zirconia ceramics and resin binder.
METHODS:Twenty pieces of zirconia ceramics specimens were selected from 40 tablets, and then randomly divided into five groups according to the number of sintered times:control group (without sintering), sintering groups for 2, 4, 6, 8 times. Heat starting temperature was 500 ℃, and final temperature was 1 000 ℃ with a heating rate of 55 ℃/min. The vacuum time was 7 minutes. During the sintering, the final temperature was constant. Unsintered ceramic pieces were bonded using resin binder. Universal testing machine was used to test the shear strength of the interface between the two pieces of zirconia ceramics. The interface after shearing was characterized by scanning electron microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shear strength of sintering groups for 4, 6, 8 times was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered twice was slightly higher than that of specimens without sintering, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered 8 times was slightly higher than that sintered 4 and 6 times (P<0.05). Under the scanning electron microscope, there was no crack on the surface of non-sintered zirconia ceramics. After 2 times sintering, the surface appeared to have fine cracks. After sintering 4 times, visible cracks were increased. After six rounds of sintering, the surface began to have significant changes;cracks rose along with slight gaps and a smal amount of adhesive residues were found. After sintering for 8 times, cracks and voids were obviously increased on the sintered surface and adhesive residues were found. It indicated that after sintering for 4, 6 and 8 times, zirconia ceramics could have a good shear strength binding to resin adhesives;with the increasing of sintering times, the shear bond strength could be increased.

Objective　To evaluate the therapeutic effects of trabeculectomy through two right angle incisions.Methods　Trabeculectomy was performed on 23 cases (25 eyes)through two right angle incisions.Results　All operated eyes formed functional fistulizing blebs and their intraocular pressure were nomal in the follow up periods of 3～10 months.Conclusion　The trabeculectomy through two right angle incisions is better than traditional trabeculectomy and similar to clear-cornea trabeculectomy with the merits of simplicity and fewer complications.