Objective:To investigate the in vitro influence of IL-24 on the functions of CD8 + T cells from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:Twenty-eight NSCLC patients and 17 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to isolate CD8 + T cells. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-24 receptors (IL-20R1, IL-20R2 and IL-22R1) at mRNA level in CD8 + T cells. Changes in the expression of perforin and granzyme B were measured by flow cytometry after stimulating purified CD8 + T cells with different concentrations of recombinant human IL-24 (10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml). In vitro direct and indirect contact co-culture systems were established for CD8 + T cells and NSCLC cell line (NCI-H1882 cells). CD8 + T cells induced target cell death and expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α in response to IL-24 stimulation were analyzed. Student′s t test or LSD- t test was used for intergroup comparison. Results:The expression of IL-22R1 at mRNA level was not detected in CD8 + T cells. No significant difference in IL-20R1 or IL-20R2 expression at mRNA level in CD8 + T cells was observed between healthy individuals and NSCLC patients, or between non-tumor sites and tumor sites ( P>0.05). Perforin and granzyme B expression was significantly reduced in CD8 + T cells from peripheral bloods and tumor sites of NSCLC patients as compared with those from healthy individuals and non-tumor sites (all P<0.05). Low concentration of IL-24 (10 ng/ml) did not affect perforin or granzyme B expression in CD8 + T cells ( P>0.05), but high concentration of IL-24 (100 ng/ml) significantly enhanced the expression of perforin and granzyme B in CD8 + T cells from NSCLC patients ( P<0.05). In the direct contact co-culture system, increased ratio of dead target cells and up-regulated IFN-γ and TNF-α expression were induced after stimulating CD8 + T cells from tumor sites in NSCLC patients with high concentration of IL-24 (100 ng/ml), but low concentration of IL-24 (10ng/ml) had no significant influence on CD8 + T cell-induced target cell death and cytokine production. In the indirect contact co-culture system, neither target cell death nor cytokine production induced by CD8 + T cells was affected by IL-24 stimulation. Conclusions:High concentration of IL-24 promoted the in vitro cytolytic function of CD8 + T cells from NSCLC patients, but might not influence the in vivo functions of CD8 + T cells.

Objective To investigate the epiderniology of fungemia and provide evidence for clinical therapy.Methods A retro- spective survey was done with the 31 cases of fungemia in our hospital from August 2004 to November 2005.Results More than 80% of the patients suffered from two and more underlying diseases.Over a half of infections developed following placement of catheters.And 83.9% of the patients had a history of antimicrobial agents use before blood culture.The pathogens of 24 (77.4%) cases were associated with Candida spp.Only 3 strains were C.albicans.The mortality rate of candidemia was 45.8%.Different Candida species had different resistance rates to antifungal agents.Conclusions Fungemia patients often have serious underlying diseases.Most fungemia cases were candidemia caused by non-C.albicans.Some fungal pathogens are re- sistant to fluconazole and itraconazole.

OBJECTIVETo study a feasible method of measuring right ventricular pressure by catheterization in mice.

METHODSMeasuring the right ventricular pressure and the pulmonary artery pressure by homemade PE pipe through venous cannula in external jugular vein, using catheterization in mice with powerlab multimodal biometric signal recording system.

RESULTSForty-six out of 51 mice were experimented with this method smoothly and got a total success rate of 90.2%. Thirty of 33 normal mice and 16 of 18 mice with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were catheterized successfully. The right ventricular pressure were as follow: systolic blood pressure: (23.4 +/- 5.7) mmHg in normal group vs (32.2 +/- 2.8) mmHg in mice with PAH, diastolic blood pressure: (3.7 +/- 2.6) mmHg vs (3.8 +/- 2.0) mmHg, mean pressure: (12.0 +/- 3.7) mmHg vs (14.9 +/- 2.3) mmHg. After autopsy for those 5 failed cases, we found that 2 cases were into the inferior vena cava, another 2 cases pierced the right auricle and the last one punctured the axillary vein into the chest wall.

CONCLUSIONMeasuring the right ventricular pressure through venous cannula in external jugular vein with homemade PE pipe in mice gets not only a high success rate but also help to save time. Moreover, this method can be popularized easily. It is a good and feasible method for measuring right ventricular pressure in mice.

Animals ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Jugular Veins ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ventricular Pressure

Objective To observe the effects of 2 Gy γ-ray irradiation on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells and immune balance of mice.Methods A total of fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into two groups,the irradiated group exposed to 2 Gy of whole body γ-ray irradiation,and the control group sham-irradiated.At 1,3,7,14 and 28 d after radiation,changes of peripheral haemogram were detected respectively and Tregs in peripheral blood,thymus and spleen and Th17 cells in spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Compared with control group,the number of peripheral blood white cells (WBC) and lymphocyte in irradiated group reduced significantly post-irradiation (t =8.89-33.54,P ＜ 0.05),while the cell number of peripheral CD4 + CD25 + Tregs post-irradiation rose but not significantly.Thymic Treg cells increased 1 and 3 d post-irradiation(t =-6.45,-10.59,P ＜0.05),but reduced 28 d post-irradiation (t =5.34,P ＜ 0.05).Splenic Treg cells ascended obviously from 1 to 14 d post-irradiation (t =-6.82-3.89,P ＜ 0.05).After irradiation splenic Th17 cells increased at 1 d,and reached the maximal level at 3 d (t =-2.42,P ＜ 0.05),more obviously than splenic Treg cells.The reduction of Treg/Th17 ratio from 1 to 14 d post-irradiation disturbed Treg/Th17 balance and made it drift to the direction of Th17 (t =4.02-8.04,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Treg/Th17 imbalance plays an important role in immune injury induced by irradiation.

0.05).Coincidence both of them in subtypes of ADHD diagnosed by 2 different ways were lower than 50% in the 6.0-6.9 and over 10.0 years old groups,but coincidence both of them were higher than 60% in 7.0-7.9,8.0-8.9,9.0-9.9 years old groups.What's more,there were significant differences though ?2 variance analysis in subtypes of ADHD by 2 different ways(Pa

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of Ginkgo biloba Tablet (GbT) on scavenger receptor A (SRA) of the aortic wall and changes of serum inflammatory factors in atherosclerotic rats, and to explore its new mechanism for fighting against atherosclerosis (AS).

METHODSTotally 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the GbT group, 15 rats in each group. Levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, blood calcium, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (slCAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured in all rats. The expression of SRA in the aortic wall of atherosclerotic rats was observed by immunohistochemical assay. The correlation between the expression of SRA and levels of in-flammatory factors was also observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, blood glucose and blood calcium obviously increased (P < 0.05); levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C were significantly elevated (P < 0.01); neointimal areas were significantly thickened, increased intima percentage was significantly enlarged, narrowed lumen index was significantly reduced; levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were significantly elevated in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, blood glucose and blood calcium obviously decreased (P < 0.05); levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the GbT group. Aortic lumens were obviously narrower in the model group than in the GbT group (P < 0.05). SRA expressed at the aortic wall. The aforesaid 3 indices were significantly improved in the GbT group than in the model group (P < 0.01). Serum levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were significantly decreased in the GbT group than in the model group (P < 0.01). Serum levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were positively correlated with the percentage of SRA positive expression area (r = 0.701, 0.604, 0.581, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum levels of inflammatory factors in atherosclerotic rats were elevated, and the expression of SRA in the aortic wall was enhanced. The expression of SRA was closely correlated with serum levels of inflammatory factors. GbT could decrease serum levels of inflammatory factors and inhibit the expression of SRA.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Calcium ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scavenger Receptors, Class A ; metabolism ; Tablets ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

Objective To evaluate the plan quality of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in single brain metastasis compared with the stereotactic arc therapy (S_ARC).Methods 31 patients were replanned using VMAT and S_ARC technique.Prescription dose is 40 Gy delivered in 4 fractions covering at least 95％ of the target volume while keeping minimum doses to the volume of normal brain tissue.The plans were assessed and compared using the conformity indexes (CI),gradient indexes (GI),the mean dose of normal brain tissue,the volumes of normal brain tissue receiving 4 Gy doses,the number of monitor unit and treatment times.A paired t test or non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to analyze the difference between these two plans.Results VMAT plans increased dose conformity,but not dose gradient,compared with S_ARC plans.The median dose conformity index values were 0.815,0.818,and 0.779 (P =0.000,0.000),and the median dose gradient score index values were 5.865,5.706,and 3.133(P =0.000,0.000,0.000),in single arc,double arc VMAT plans and S_ARC plans,respectively.The mean dose of normal brain tissue was higher in VMAT plans.And the volume of the normal brain tissue receiving doses of 4 Gy in VMAT plans was significantly larger than the volume in S_ARC plans.The VMAT plans got higher MU number (P =0.000,0.000).And the mean treatment times were (2.7 ± 0.1) min,(2.8 ± 0.1) min,and (7.6 ± 0.2) min in single arc,double arc VMAT plans and S_ ARC plans,respectively (P =0.000,0.000).Conclusions The dosimetry of VMAT plan can meet the requirements of clinical,and is recommended in the treatment of big volume single brain metastasis or single brain metastasis in cerebellum.

Objective To investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on blood-brain barrier of focal cerebral ischemia rats, and explore the mechanism of the decoction. Methods The model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by thread embolism method. SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group, model group and Buyang Huanwu Decoction group. Buyang Huanwu Decoction group was given Buyang Huanwu Decoction by gavage, the sham-operated group and model group were given normal saline of the same quantity 24 h after modeling. The nervous function deficit scores was evaluated, brain tissues and serum were taken from the rats after treating for seven days, infarct volume was detected by TTC staining, and pathological changes of microvessel were observed microscopically in HE stained sections. And the protein level of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF in brain tissue and the serum levels of vWF in serum of every groups were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction significantly improved the neurological behavior performance, decreased the cerebral infarct volume, alleviated the pathological changes and decreased the protein level of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF, vWF. Conclusion Buyang Huanwu Decoction has the protective effect on blood-brain barrier in the model rats of focal cerebral ischemia. The mechanism may be related with restrainning the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF, vWF.

Objective To evaluate stone retention time coefficient (RTC) times stone size value (RTC × S) as the indication of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) efficacy in the treatment of upper ureteral calculi.Methods From January 2009 to May 2011,180 consecutive patients including 109males and 71 females who underwent ESWL for a single radiopaque upper ureteral stone with the mean stone size (0.9 ± 0.2) cm and the mean stone retention time (12.6 ± 9.7) d were retrospectively analyzed.The mean patient age was 39 years (range from 21 to 65 years).The base of RTC was set as 1 and each 0.1 was added on it if the stone stayed one more week in upper ureter.Patients were classified into 2 groups by stone size.105 patients were in group ＜ 1 cm and 75 patients were in group≥ 1 cm.According to RTC × S value,79 patients were in group ＜ 1 and 101 patients were in group≥ 1.Stone-free rate between these two groups in the same grouping indication and between two matched groups in the different grouping indication were compared respectively.The chi-square test compared categorical variables between the two groups and all statistical analyses were 2-sided with P ＜ 0.05 defined as statistically significant.Results The overall stone-free rate of group ＜ 1 cm was significantly higher than that of group≥ 1 cm (81.9％ vs.68.0％,P ＜0.05).The overall stone-free rate of group RTC × S value ＜ 1 was significantly higher than that of group RTC × S value ≥1 (96.2 ％ vs.60.4％,P ＜ 0.05).Comparison between two matched groups showed that the stone-free rate of group RTC S value ＜ 1 was significantly higher than that of group ＜ 1 cm (96.2％ vs.81.9 ％,P＜0.05),but group RTC×Svalue≥1 was comparable to group≥l cm (60.4％ vs.68.0％,P ＞ 0.05).26 patients with ＜ 1 cm stones were enrolled in group ≥ 1 for long stone retention time and larger RTC × S value.The overall stone-free rate of them was 38.5％ (10/26) which was significantly lower than that of group≥ 1 cm (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The stone retention time is an important factor in efficacy of ESWL for upper ureteral calculi.Use RTC × S as a new indication of ESWL,not only the stone size but stone retention time is taken into account as well.ESWL is highly efficacious in patients with RTC × S values ＜ 1.

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerosis formation of common carotid artery and its possible mechanism. Methods A total of 36 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group, a model group, and an atorvastatin group. The mice of the control group were fed with normal diet and received a sham operation, while the mice in the model group and the atorvastatin group were given high fat diet and received a right common carotid artery cannulation. At 5 weeks after procedure, the mice in the model group and the atorvastatin group were intragastric administration of normal saline and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg daily), respectively. At 8 weeks after procedure, the blood from femoral arteries was obtained for biochemical detection, then right common carotid arteries were taken out for histopathological study. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB mRNA in the plaques. Western blotting was used to detect phosphorylated NF-κB p65. Results The lipid levels in the model group and the atorvastatin group were significant higher than those in the control group (al P<0. 05). The lipid level in the atorvastatin group was lower than that in the model group, but there was no significant difference (P> 0. 05 ). The histopathological study showed that the obvious plaque formation and the necrotic core and neovessels in plaques were observed in the model group; obviously thickened intima and more intact endothelial cel s in the vessel wal were observed in the atorvastatin group. The plaque burden in the model group and the atorvastatin group was significantly higher than that in the control group (al P<0. 001), while the plaque burden in the atorvastatin group was significantly less than that in the model group (P<0. 001). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection showed that the expression levels of NF-κB mRNA in the model group and the atorvastatin group were significantly higher than that in the control group (al P<0. 001), and the expression level of NF-κB mRNA in the atorvastatin group was significant lower than that in the model group (P= 0. 022). Western blotting showed that the expression level of the phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0. 001), and the expression level of the phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0. 001). Conclusions Atorvastatin may reduce atherosclerosis in the common carotid artery in ApoE-/-) mice by down-regulating NF-κB.