AIM: TO study the control mechanism of the developing of inflammation diseases, two inflammatory mediators, TNFa and arachidonic acid(AA) and its derivatives have been used as stimuli to induce human peripheral blood neutrophils to produce superoxide radicals. METHODS: The method of lucigeni - dependent light release has been used to exam the ability of releasing superoxide of neutrophils induced by the cooperation of TNFa and high class fatty acids as well as their derivatives. RESULTS: TNFa pretreatment markedly augmented the amount of superoxide produced in response to AA. Similarly, polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, linlenic acid as well as monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid were effected by TNFa. However, hydroxide (C20:4, n - 6 hydroxy) and hydroperoxide(C20:4, n - 6 hydroperoxy) of AA were not effected by TNFa. Leukotriene B4(LTB4) and PGE2 which are products of AA metabolism via the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways respectively. The two major major of mediators are generated during an inflammatory response. The former acted on neutrophils in the generation of reactive oxygen species while the latter played an inhibition function. CONCLUSION: The complexity of the mediator network operating in various immune reactions and interaction between unsaturated lipids and cytokines may play an important role in disease processes and regulation of immune responses.

Objective　To investigate whether the p21ras/ERK (MAPK) cascade is involved in regulating the production of TNF-β and IL-2 in Jurkat cells. Methods　Cells were transiently transfected with a dominant negation construct of p21ras (ras15A or ras17N), raf (raf 1-130) or ERK1 (erk1K71R), or transforming p21ras (H-ras61L) or constitutively active raf (raf22W) using lipofectamine. Control cells received a plasmid carrying β-galactosidease. Transfectant cells were stimulated with PMA/PHA and released TNF-β and IL-2 quantitated by ELISA. Results　In control cells, the production of TNF-β and IL-2 was approx. 2 fold by PMA/PHA stimulation (P<0.001), while transfection with a dominant negative mutant construct abrogated the effects of PMA/PHA. Transfection with a constitutively active mutant had no effect on basal production of TNF-β or IL-2, but all of the constitutively active mutants significantly enhanced the response of the cells to PMA/PHA (P<0.05). MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 inhibited the effects of PMA/PHA and active construct genes on ERK activities and cytokine production. Conclusion　These data demonstrate that the p21ras-ERK cascade plays an important role in regulating the production of both TNF-β and IL-2 in Jurkat cells stimulated with PMA/PHA.

Objective To study the effect of praziquantel on cells within sehistosomal ovum granuloma in the lung of mice.Methods Forty-eight mice were divided into 4 groups.Group A:first,the mice were injected with sehistosomal ova hypodermically in abdomen,and 10 days later,injected with schistosomal ova intravenously in the cauda;Group B:in addition to the injection of schistosomal ova as the same of Group A,the mice were administered with praziquantel[300 mg/(kg·d)]for 3 days,one day before the intravenous injection of the ova;Group C:in addition to the injection of schistosomal ova as the same of Group A,the mice were administered with praziquantel(75 mg/kg,B.i.d.) for 5 days weekly until the mice were sacrificed;Group D:the same as Group C but praziquantel was given to the mice from the 29th after the intravenous injection of the ova.Three mice of each group were sacrificed on the 7th,14th,28th,56th day after the intravenous injection of the ova and the lung tissues were fixed with formalin and the slices were HE stained.Twenty-five to thirty pieces of schistosomal ovum granuloma were examined and the neutrophilic granulocytes,eosinocytes,lymphocytes,fibroblasts and macrophages within the ovum granulomas were counted and the mean numbers of them of each group were calculated and compared.Results Compared with Group A,the mean numbers of neutrophilic granulocytes,eosinocytes and macrophages within the ovum granulomas were decreased significantly,and the extend of the increase of fibroblasts reduced significantly in the three groups administered with praziquantel,and especially in Group C.On the 56th day after the intravenous injection of the ova,the mean numbers of neutrophilic granulocytes,eosinocytes and macrophages decreased by 54.4%、87.0% and 23.1%,and the extend of the increase of fibroblasts reduce by 59.4%,respectively in Group C,compared with Group A.The numbers of lymphocytes did not change very much in 4 groups.Conclusion Praziquantel can restrain inflammatory cells and the hyperplasia of fibroblasts within schistosomal ovum granulomas.

Objective    In this study, three-dimensional printed (3DP) titanium implants were used for skeletal reconstructions after wide excision of chest wall. 3DP titanium implants were expected to provide a valid option with perfect anatomic fitting and personalized design in chest wall reconstruction. Methods    There were 13 patients [mean age of 46 (24-78) years with 9 males and 4 females] who underwent adequate radical wide excision for tumors and chest wall reconstruction using 3DP titanium implants. Surgical data including patient demographic characteristics, perioperative clinical data and data from 1-year follow-up were collected and analyzed. Results    Six patients of rib tumors, six patients of sternal tumors and one patient of sternal pyogenic osteomyelitis were finally selected for the study. The chest wall defect area was 221.0±206.0 cm2. All patients were able to maintain the integrity of the chest wall after surgery, and no abnormal breathing was found, achieving personalized and anatomical repair. Thirteen patients were successfully discharged from the hospital. Two patients developed pneumonia in the perioperative period. During the follow-up period in the first year after surgery, no implant related adverse reaction was observed, including implant rupture, implant shift, rejection reaction and allergies. One patient had wound ulcer after chemotherapy. Three patients had tumor recurrence, with the recurrence rate of 25.0%. Two patients died of tumor recurrence, with a mortality rate of 16.7%. Conclusion    3DP titanium implant is a safe and effective material for chest wall reconstruction.