Objective To analyze the concentration of epithelial cell derived neutrophil-activating protein 78(CXCL-5) in the sy-(novial) fluid(SF) and peripheral blood in children with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and evaluate its clinical relevance to the disease development.Methods SF and peripheral sera were taken from 26 children with RA and 16 healthy controls,and CXCL-5 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).CXCL-5 in SF was also measured in RA children after receiving steroid treatment.Results The levels of CXCL-5 was significantly higher than that in the SF of RA children compared with healthy controls(P0.05).Interestingly,CXCL-5 markedly decreased in RA children after steroid treatment(P

Akebia trifoliate has been reported to have many pharmacological activities and the roots, petioles and seeds are used to different symptoms. However, the structure and anatomy of its seeds was almost not reported until now. In the present study, we investigated the morphological characters of the fruit and seed, and the anatomical characters of the testa, micropyle, embryo and endosperm, which could provide evidences for the study on classification, identification and application of A. trifoliate. Our results showed that the testa of A. trifoliate consisted of an epidermic cell layer, the sclerenchyma cells layer, the parenchyma cells layer and an innermost pigment layer. At the micropylar region, the outermost epidermal cells were specialized the white caruncle-like structure and the testa included a lot of lignified tissues. Endosperm comprises two layer cells. Outermost yellowish-brown layer cells contains lots of fat droplets, and innermost white layer cells contains lots of aleurone grains and crystalloids.
Germination ; Magnoliopsida ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Seeds ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

In this study, the regulatory effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), as well as the role of interferon γ (IFN-γ), has been discussed using both in vitro and in vivo animal models. ESCC murine model was established according to the standard operating procedures (SOP) of Animal Experiment Center of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The expression of PD-L1 in esophageal tissues of murine models was analyzed using the microarray assay. Then, the results were verified by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, the molecular mechanism was explored in KYSE180 and KYSE510 ESCC cells in vitro. The results showed that CGA could suppress the expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissues in murine models significantly, rather than the expression in KYSE180 and KYSE510 ESCC cells in vitro. However, after the pretreatment of IFN-γ, the expression of PD-L1 was significantly increased, then it was down-regulated by CGA in both dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), an upstream regulatory factor of PD-L1, was suppressed by CGA in both KYSE180 and KYSE510 pretreated with IFN-γ, which was consistent with the expression of PD-L1. These results indicate that CGA down-regulates the expression of PD-L1 in ESCC via IFN-γ-IRF1 signaling pathway, providing the molecular theoretical basis for exploration of new treatment of ESCC.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of membrane protein-based two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in the investigations of chondrocyte-related diseases and its complementarity with total protein-based 2-DE.

METHODSKnee cartilage samples were obtained to isolate the chondrocytes with type II collagenase/hyaluronidase digestion. The membrane proteins and total proteins were extracted and loaded separately onto PH3.0-10.0 non-linear gel strip for 2-DE analysis. The qualities of membrane protein-based 2-DE gels were evaluated, and the difference between the distribution profiles of the membrane protein spots and that of the total protein were observed and their complementarities were evaluated.

RESULTSMembrane protein-based 2-DE generated high-quality gel images, and on each gel 412.3±13.5 protein spots were identified. These spots were distributed in the region of isoelectric point pH 5.0-9.0. In the gel images generated by the total proteins, 564.3±5.9 protein spots were identified in each image, and the spots were distributed in the region of isoelectric point pH 3.0-7.0.

CONCLUSIONMembrane protein-based 2-DE of the chondrocytes can generate high-quality gel images, and the isoelectric distribution of the protein spots is complementary to that of total protein, which provides valuable information for chondrocyte-related diseases.

Adult ; Chondrocytes ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Isoelectric Point ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; isolation & purification ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the fast track programs (FT) on the postoperative recovery of patients with rectum carcinoma after rectal cancer resection.

METHODSEighty-three patients, undergone elective rectal carcinoma resection in our hospital, were randomly divided into two groups. FT group (44 cases) received the perioperative FT programs care, including bowel preparation reduction, preoperative normal intake, early removal of the nasogastric tube and bladder catheter, early postoperative feeding, early mobilization, and no routine drainage. Control group (39 cases) received the conventional program care. The postoperative hospital stay, surgical complications and readmission rate within 30 days postoperatively were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe data of two groups such as gender, surgical procedures, complications, TNM stage of tumor, age, operation time and intra-operative blood loss were similar. The mean postoperative hospital stay in FT group was significantly shorter than that in control group [(4.7+/-2.6) d vs (8.9+/-2.8) d] (P<0.001). The surgical complications within 30 days postoperatively in FT group were significantly less than those in control group (P<0.05). The difference of readmission rate was not significant between the two groups (P=0.326).

CONCLUSIONThe colorectal surgical fast track programs applied to the perioperative period care of rectal carcinoma resection can decrease the hospital stay and surgical complications with no obvious change in readmission rate, so the postoperative recovery of patients with rectal carcinoma resection can be improved.

Aged ; Colorectal Surgery ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Perioperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Rehabilitation ; methods ; Single-Blind Method

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathologic features of pulmonary sclerosing he- mangioma (PSH).Methods With clinicopathologic date of 21 cases of PSH patients obtained,all speci- mens were stained by immunohistochemical method with a panel of antibodies including CK,synaptophysin, chromogranin,actin,calretinin,F-Ⅷ,CD_(34) and vimentin.Results PSH usually affects female patients.Age ranged from 26 to 70 years old.The tumor cells showed a mixture histological pattern,with the feature of pap- illary and the proliferation of interstitutial monocyte.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that surface of the papillary cells expressed CK,monocyte expressed synaptophysin.PSH should be distinguished from bronchi- oloalveolar carcinoma,carcinoid and inflammatory pseudotumor.Conclusion PSH is a rare and potential malignant behavior tumor,and is different from benign tumor.

Objective:To methodologically establish the lentivirus granule packaging, concentration and infection against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood. Methods:The lentivirus system of the 3~(rd) generation was used to produce the virus. Ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation were employed to concentrate virus. Several treatments were used to improve virus infection including in vitro amplification culture, facilitation of rest cells into cell cycle, promotion of cell adhesion and immobilization during infection, and repeat infection methods. Results:CD34~+ cells were not obviously changed by checking the expression level of CD34 marker on the cell surface after 48 h culture. After two-step concentration, virus titer was increased up to 5.06×10~7/ml, and the infection rate against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood was increased up to 37.7%.Conclusion:Lentivirus supernatant with over 10~7/ml titer can be obtained using the above methods. Efficient infection against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood can be achieved.

BACKGROUNDStreptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the prime pathogen of dental caries. There are few reports that studied the relationship between S. mutans, bacteria and dental caries in permanent teeth when compared to those in primary teeth. This study aimed to detect S. mutans and bacteria of dental caries and non-caries groups in permanent teeth from a north China population by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compare the relationship between the number of these bacteria and the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth.

METHODSHuman saliva samples were collected from 142 subjects with permanent teeth. According to their dental tooth (DT), 142 subjects were divided into a dental caries group (DT ≥ 1) and a non-caries group (DT = 0). With specific primers for S. mutans and 16S rRNA, the total number of S. mutans and total bacteria of 142 saliva samples were detected by real-time PCR and statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the detection rates of S. mutans (P = 0.118) and medians of S. mutans (P = 0.115). The ratio of S. mutans to total bacteria in people with dental caries was significantly higher than in those without caries (P < 0.001), but the total number of bacteria in people with dental caries was significantly lower than in those without caries (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSS. mutans had different effects on caries in the permanent teeth of several individuals from a north China population. The ratios of S. mutans to total bacteria in saliva detected by real-time PCR with Sm479F/R and 16S RNA primers were closely associated with the prevalence of dental caries in the same population. These assays may be useful for the assessment of an individual's risk of dental caries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Dental Caries ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saliva ; microbiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptococcus mutans ; isolation & purification ; Tooth ; microbiology

AIMTo simplify the study on the effect of relative humidity and temperature on drug stability.

METHODSThe stability of penicillin potassium as a model was studied with programmed humidifying and heating.

RESULTSResults of our programmed humidifying and heating experiments are comparable to those of traditional experiment at constant humidity and temperature.

CONCLUSIONProgrammed humidifying and heating experiments are applicable to drug stability study.

Drug Stability ; Hot Temperature ; Humidity ; Penicillins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo discuss our experience on the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic aorta rupture (TAR) that is one of the main common causes of death in the victims under blunt chest trauma.

METHODSBetween July 2001 and March 2006, 9 patients (6 men and 3 women, aged from 20 to 54 years) suffering from acute traumatic aorta rupture after motor vehicle accidents received emergent surgical treatments in our hospital. Based on our experience in the rescue of the first TAR patient we introduced a practical procedure on the diagnosis and treatment of TAR in our department. All the other patients generally followed this procedure. Eight patients received contrast material enhanced helical computerized tomography scan before the operation. The leakage of constrast medium from the aorta isthmus was found, and diagnosis of TAR was confirmed. Seven patients underwent immediate operation within 14 hours after accidents. One patient was treated on the 5th day of the accident because of delayed diagnosis of aortic rupture. All patients received general anesthesia with double lumen endotracheal tube and normothermic femoro-femoral partial cardiopulmonary bypass, with beating heart and aortic clamping. One patient received simple repair, and others received partial replacement of thoracic aorta with artificial vascular graft.

RESULTSSeven TAR patients were successfully salvaged. Three patients combined brain injury as well as extremitiy hemiplegia before operation. After treatments one was fully and two partially recovered without paraplegia.

CONCLUSIONSProper practical protocol is emphasized for the surgical repair of TAR because it will reduce the mortality of severe blunt chest injury.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; injuries ; Aortic Rupture ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rupture