Objective :To study the effect and mechanism of retinoic acid(RA) on thymocytes development. Methods:Thymus tissue culture system was used to investigate the roles of RA in maturation development of thymocytes. Thymus tissues were cultured with or without retinoic acid and/or retinoic acid receptor antagonist. The cultures were harvested after 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Thymocytes were stained with fluorescence labeled anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. The real time quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to detect the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mRNA expression in thymocytes. Results:The thymus tissue culture system was able to support the maturation of thymocytes. Addition of RA to the culture system promoted thymocytes differentiation from immature CD4+CD8+ cells to mature CD4+ cells, but inhibited the transformation from immature CD4+CD8+ cells to mature CD8+ cells. The effect was marked after 24h culture, and was antagonized by Ro41-5253. RA enhanced the expression of RAR mRNA in thymocytes. A positive correlation was found between the expression of RAR mRNA and the percentage of CD4+CD8+ cells and a negative correlation between the expression of RAR mRNA and the percentage of CD8+ cells. Conclusion:RA likely play an important role in thymocytes development, perhaps by affecting the relative expression of RAR gene.

Objective To explore the effect of prenatal steroid (PNS) treatment on preventing early severe non-oliguric hyperkalemia in Extremely-Low-Birth-Weight (ELBW) infants.Methods Retrospective comparative analysis was performed on 31 ELBW infants who had been admitted to the hospital’s NICU between July 2001 and Jun 2005. Infants whose mothers received a full course of steroids before delivery (PNS group; n=18) were compared with those infants whose mothers did not receive steroids (NSG group; n=13). Infants were included in the PNS group if their mother was given one full course of dexamethasone ( 10 mg q12h4 doses) before delivery. The last dose must have been given at least 24 hours before delivery. The arterial blood gas , serum concentrations of potassium, sodium and creatinine were measured every 24 hours, and fluid intakes, urine outputs were monitored every day. Results Hyperkalemia was significantly lower in the PNS than in the NSG infants at the first 72 hours of age [5/18 cases ( 27.78%) vs 9/13 cases (69.23%)],P=0.023). However, the serum concentrations of sodium, creatinine, fluid intakes, urine outputs were not significantly difference in both groups. Conclusions Prenatal steroids treatment can reduce early severe non-oliguric hyperkalemia in EVBL infants.

Objective The goal of this study is to know the level of radon in greenbelt soil in Chengdu city. Methods 152 monitoring sites were selected in the riverside, roadside, park, campus and residential area in Chengdu city. Concentration of radon in the soil was determined with KJD-2000R radon detector. Results Although the level of radon in the central area was higher than those in the peripheral area the level of radon in the riverside was higher than that in the parks, the mean level of radon investigated in this study (14 047 Bq/m3) was lower than the national mean level(7 300 Bq/m3). Conclusion It can be considered that the level of radon in the greenbelt soil in Chengdu city is in the normal range.

Objective Characteristics of removing disinfection by-product precursors by conventional processes were studied in a certain city that lives on surface water. Methods Gas chromatography was employed to determine trihalomethane and haloacetic acids in water. Sampling time was from January to April in 2003 and there were 5 sampling sites each time. Results Trihalomethane formation potential(THMFP) in the source water was 15.00-39.83 ?g/L and in the supply drinking water it was 13.42-13.85 ?g/L. It showed that the conventional water treatment processes played a positive role in controlling THMFP. Haloacetic acids formation potential(HAAFP) in source water changed from 61.79 ?g/L to 78.72 ?g/L and the average removing rate of HAAFP by conventional processes was 44.13%. Conclusion Further studies are needed about organic matters in different kinds of source water in different areas and reactivity of DBP precursors with chlorine and DBPs generating ability. All these studies will contribute to control DBPs in drinking water.

Objective To discuss the effects of bacteria lysates (OM-85BV),1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2-VitD3],two immune regulators on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice models,and its pathways of action on airway inflammation were discussed.Methods Forty male BALB/c mice graded 4-6 weeks were randomly divided into 5 groups.Group A:control group;group B:asthmatic model group;group C:1,25-(OH)2-VitD3 group;group D:OM-85BV group;group E:combination group.On days 0 to 14,mice in C,D and E groups were given 1,25-(OH)2-VitD3,OM-85BV and 1,25-(OH)2-VitD3 + OM-85 BV,and mice in A,B groups were given 9 g/L saline instead.On days 15,22 and 29,mice in B,C,D,E groups were intraperitoneally with injection of ovalbumin(OVA)-aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3].Group A were given 9 g/L saline instead.On days 36 to 40,mice of B,C,D,E groups were given an aerosol challenge of 10 g/L OVA for 0.5 h once a day.Mice in the control group were given the same amount of 9 g/L saline.Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the final inhalational challenge,and for the recovered bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) of the left lung was used for differential inflammatory cell counts and for detecting the level of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17).Right lung samples were used for pathological investigation and detecting the expression of the IL-17 mRNA and RORγt mRNA by real time-PCR.Results Compared with the control group,the asthma models expressed more serious expression in bronchospasm contraction,hyperplasia disorders of bronchial epithelial cells,infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung,and so on.Compared with the control group,the total number of inflammatory cells counts[(104.04 ±5.51) 107/L vs (22.79 ± 1.91) 107/L] and eosinophils proportion [(37.63 ± 3.64) ％ vs (2.37 ± 1.55) ％] in BALF in group B were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05),the levels of IL-17 [(85.13 ± 5.77) 103 pg/L vs (47.44 ± 4.57) 103 pg/L] in BALF were significantly higher(P ＜ 0.05),the relative expressions of IL-17 mRNA (13.68 ± 1.59 vs 1.00 ± 0.00) and RORγt mRNA (4.53 ± 0.51 vs 1.00 ± 0.00) in lung were higher,which had a statistical significance (all P ＜ 0.05).The situations of group C,D,E were obviously improved compared with group B,and those of group D were improved remarkably.Conclusions Oral OM-85BV and 1,25-(OH)2-VitD3 intervention could relieve the airway inflammation of asthmatic mice models,and its effect can be remarkable by oral OM-85BV.The two immune regulators could relieve the degree of airway inflammation on asthmatic mice models by reducing the expression of Th17 cells differentiation.Therefore the two immune regulators could be the choices for preventing the happening and the development of the asthmatic airway inflammation.

Objective To discuss the clinical value of combined determination of fasting blood glucose (FBG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods 105 patients with acute cerebral infarction were scored using the standard of Europ Stroke Score(ESS) ,and the level of FBG,HbA1c and hs-CRP were measured.All the patients were divided into three groups,according to the level of FBG and HbA1c,and the index of three groups were compared.Results The hyperglycemic group without diabetes had lower ESS score than the group with normal blood glucose(P <0.01 )and the group with hyperglycemia and diabetes(P <0.05).Also the hyperglycemic group without diabetes had higher level of hs-CRP than the group with normal blood glucose(P <0.01)and the group with hyperglycemia and diabetes (P <0.05).Conclusion Patients with acute cerebral infarction associated with high FBG and high HbA1c had high hsCRP, and severe prognosis.

Objective To explore the effect of valium and barbitone in the treatment of convulsion in neonate. Methods 156 children with convul sion were randomly divided into two groups, 77 cases in control group and 78 cases in treatment group. Results The instant and total effective rates of treatment group and control group were companed, respectively. There were significant difference between these two groups.Conclusion Valium and Barbitone is effective in treating neonate with convusion.

Object To explore the relationship of 25 (OH) D levels in cord and maternal peripheral blood to understand the maternal and neonatal vitamin D status in Songjiang District of Shanghai. Methods One hundred newborns delivered at the First People’s Hospital afifliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University and 20 pregnant women during November 2010 to January 2011 in Songjiang district were enrolled in the study. The levels of 25 (OH) D in cord and maternal blood were measured by ELISA and compared. Results Mean materna1 serum levels of 25 (OH) D was (23.42±5.23) nmol/L, and cord blood 25 (OH) D was (29.77±12.51) nmol/L. Maternal serum 25 (OH) D was positively correlated with cord blood 25 (OH) D (r=0.84, P<0.001). Conclusions This study shows that the prevalence of vitamin D deifciency in pregnant women is high in Shanghai Songjiang District, which could have adverse effects on newbowns.

Objective To establish mouse allergic asthma model and observe the effect of bacterial lysates (OM-85BV) on airway inlfammation. Methods Forty-eight 4 to 6 weeks healthy male BALB/c mice were used as research subjects and randomly divided into six groups, a:control group;b:OM-85BV contral group;c:allergic asthma model;d:dexamethasone group (Dex group);e:OM-85BV A group;f:OM-85BV B group (the intervention time was prolonged 10 days than group e). BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice in groups c, d, e and f were intraperitoneally administered with antigen (OVA)-Al(OH)3 on days 1, 8 and 15, others were administered by PBS. From the 17th day to the 26th day, Mice in group f were treated with OM-85BV and others were treated with normal saline. In the next days, mice in groups c, d, e and f were intranasal given OVA for 5 consecutive days. Additionally, mice in groups b, e and f were treated with OM-85BV before challenge, while mice in the group d were administered by Dex, others were treated with normal saline at the same dose. Twenty four hours after the last intranasal administration, mice were anesthetized and dissected. Lungs were lavaged with PBS and bronchoalveolar lavage lfuid (BALF) was obtained. The total inlfammatory cells and eosinophils in BALF were counted. The total IgE levels of blood serum and IFN-γ/IL-4 levels of lavage were detected. The removed parts of lung tissue were collected for histological examination. Results Compared with groups a and b, lung tissue biopsies by HE staining from the asthma group showed obvious airway inlfammation. The situation of groups d and f was signiifcantly improved than group c, while the differences between groups e and c were not evident. Total cells and the number of eosinophils in BALF of group c (90.3±13.94×104/ml) were signiifcantly higher than that in groups a and b. Compared with the control group, levels of IL-4 in BALF (119.03±19.92 pg/ml) and IgE in serum (15.86±1.97 ng/ml) increased and levels of IFN-γin BALF (90.50±13.51 pg/ml) reduced signiifcantly. The corresponding levels of groups d, e and f were signiifcantly improved than group c (P<0.01). Conclusions Administered by OM-85BV helps regulate the balance between Th1/Th2 in asthmatic mice, reduce airway inlfammation, and prevent the occurrence and development of airway inlfammation.

BACKGROUND:Due to complicated and special lumbar spinal stenosis disease and different degrees of lumbar degeneration in the elderly, it requires very careful choice of repair methods and repair technology.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the indications and prognosis effect of the treatments of elderly lumbar spinal stenosis by selective decompression of lumbar root canal under direct vision and laminectomy.
METHODS:Clinical data of 167 elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 82 patients were treated with selective decompression of lumbar root canal as the selective decompression group, with a clear nerve root compression but without central canal stenosis. A total of 85 patients were treated with laminectom and treated with pedicle screw fixation as the whole lamina cut group, with distinct central canal stenosis. The indications were analyzed between the two groups. Clinical effects were assessed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Oswestry Disability Index before and after surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Al patients were operated successful y. There was no serious
complication during treatment. (2) Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Oswestry Disability Index were significantly improved at last fol ow-up in two groups compared with preoperation (P<0.05). No significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Oswestry Disability Index was detected between the two groups at various time points (P>0.05). Clinical symptoms disappeared or relieved at last fol ow-up in two groups. The prognosis in two groups had significantly improved. (3) Results indicated that laminectomy and pedicle screw fixation in elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and central canal stenosis obtained significant effects. For elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis but without central canal stenosis, selective decompression of lumbar root canal under direct vision was given, and it is effective and reliable. The two methods are suitable for different patients, and are effective and reliable way to repair.