Objective To explore the effects of total flavonoids from portulaca against liver fibrosis in rats by detecting TGF-β1 gene and protein expressions. Methods A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model control, glucyrrhizin aqueous,and total flavonoids groups,with 12 rats in each group. Except those in the normal control group, rats in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL · kg-1 · d-1 carbon tetrachloride to induce liver fibrosis. Rats in glucyrrhizin aqueous group and total flavonoids ones were intragastrically administered with 15. 75 mg · kg-1 of glycyrrhizin aqueous solution or 35. 6 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoids aqueous solution,respectively. The normal and model control groups were administered with equal volume of aqueous solution. Thirty days later,rats were sacrificed by anesthesia. Livers were obtained to detect TGF-β1 gene and protein expressions by RT-PCR and Western-Blot. Results Relative gene expression of TGF-β1 in the normal control,model control,glucyrrhizin aqueous and flavonoids groups was 0. 725±0. 130,7. 493±1. 410,3. 016±1. 240,and 2. 668±1. 150,respectively. Total flavonoids from portulaca significantly reduced the gene (P<0. 01) and protein (P<0. 01) expressions of TGF-β1 . Conclusion Efficacy of total flavonoids from portulaca in treating hepatic fibrosis may be related to decreased TGF-β1 expression in rats.

With the increasing demand for liver transplantation,some previously abandoned donors,called marginal donor,started to be involved in clinical liver transplantation,which raises higher requirement on the organ preservation methods.Normothermic perfusion is regarded to be superior to the currently adopted hypothermic perfusion,and plays an important role in the organ preservation of marginal donors.This review will summarize the clinical applications of liver normothermic perfusion in transplantation and repair,as well as its roles in basic research.

Objective To investigate the distribution of Malassezia species in lesional and non-lesion-al sites of patients with pityriasis versicolor(PV),species-variation in different anatomic sites and in lesions with different pigmentation,and the relationship between various Malassezia species and severity and age of PV patients.Methods A total of629skin specimens taken by sterile adhesive tape from the lesions and non-lesional skin were inoculated on media containing rapeseed oil in113patients with PV.Isolated colonies were identified to species based on physiological and morphological characteristics.Results The isolation rates of Malassezia spp.were not significantly different from both lesions and corresponding non-lesional skin.Among non-lesional sites,the isolation rate was significantly higher in forehead and trunk than that in upper and lower extremities.Five species were identified out of565strains obtained from the patients,including M.sympodialis(44.78%),M.furfur(32.94%),M.globosa(11.68%),M.obtusa(5.84%)and M.restricta(4.76%).Two dif-ferent species were isolated simultaneously from27sites.There was no obvious difference in species distribu-tion patterns between lesions and non-lesional sites.M.restricta was isolated from forehead exclusively.Species-variation was closely linked to lesions with different pigmentation and the age of patients,not to the severity of disease.Conclusion There is neither statistical difference of Malassezia isolation rate and species distribution between lesions and non-lesional skin,nor correlation between disease severity and species-varia-tion.The anatomic sites,the diversity of pigmentation pattern and the age of patients seem to be associated with different Malassezia species.

Liver transplantation is the main treatment for end-stage liver diseases and liver tumor.To solve the problem of the insufficient donor liver,autologous liver transplantation (ALT) is becoming widely acknowledged,which could serve as a complementary technique for treating unresectable liver space-occupying lesions in routine operation.However,compared with allogeneic liver transplantation,the long anhepatic phase during ALT may influence the outcome of such patients.Veno-venous bypass (VVB) as a technology which can maintain the stability of hemodynamics and internal environment in the anhepatic phase is routinely used in ALT.In this paper,the application of VVB in the ALT was mainly discussed.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations and the characteristics of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by Citrin deficiency(NICCD)in Hubei province. Methods The biochemical indicators including liver function,blood lipid,lactic acid,blood ammonia,total bile acid,alpha feto protein,coagulogram,blood amino spec-trum,acylcrnitine spectrum,urine organic acid and SLC25A13 gene analysis of 20 cases with NICCD,who came from Wuhan Children's Hospital,during September 2010 to January 2013,were collected before treatment,then followed up for 1 year. Results Laboratory results of NICCD patients showed high blood bilirubin,elevated liver enzymes and bile acid,hyperlipidemia,high alpha feto protein,high lactic acidosis,high ammonia,hypoalbuminemia,hypoglycemia,disor-der of blood coagulation mechanism,variety of amino acids increase,mainly citrulline rose. Mainly long - chain acyl carnitine increased among acyl of carnitine. Abnormal increase of urine 4 - hydroxy benzene acetic acid,4 - hydroxy benzene lactic acid and 4 - hydroxy benzene pyruvic acid. Six mutations were detected in SLC25A13 gene analysis,and L477R,G639S of them were novel mutations,851del4,1638ins23,IVS6 + 5G ﹥ A were hot mutation. All the patients were eased in jaundice before they were 1 year old. Conclusions The early clinical criterion of the patients is disor-der. Hyperlipidemia has been detected in the early course of the disease,and L477R,G639S are the novel mutations.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Ulinastatin (UTI) on the expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and neurons apoptosis in cerebral cortex of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Methods Thirty-six healthy male adult Wistar rats were induced ventricular fibrillation untreated for 7 min and then received CPR.The animals were infused UTI 100 000 U/kg or phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) at once after ROSC.At 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC,cerebral cortex were removed to determine the mRNA expressions and levels of TNF-α protein and IL-6 protein,the translocation ratio of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus and the apoptotic neurons.Results The plasma levels of TNF-α (ng/mL) in animals of UTI group were (17.7 ± 1.4),(21.9 ± 2.1) and (17.1 ± 0.6) at 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC respectively,and significantly lower than those in PBS group at the given intervals.Mean while,the levels of IL-6 (ng/mL) were (208.9 ± 14.1),(281.5 ±25.9) and (251.8 ± 15.3) at 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC respectivèly in animals of UTI group,and lower than those in PBS group.The expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-6 mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in UTI group were both lower than those in PBS group at given intervals,respectively.The translocation ratio of NF-κB p65 from plasma to nucleus in PBS group at each given interval after ROSC was significantly higher than that in UTI group.The number of viable neurons in cerebral cortex in UTI group was higher than that in PBS group,while the number apoptosis neurons was fewer in UTI group.Conclusions UTI attenuated the general inflammatory response after ROSC in rat,decreased the activation of NF-κB pathway,and subsequently attenuated the expression of TNF-α and IL-6,and finally decreased the neurons apoptosis.

Objective To investigate SLC25A13gene mutation in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin defi-ciency (NICCD). Method A total of 17 children with NICCD were collected. PCR-RFLP method was used to analyze the most common eight mutations of SLC25A13 gene in Chinese populations and results were analyzed together with routine laboratory examinations. Results In the 17 NICCD patients, there were six cases of homozygous mutation, three cases of compound heterozy-gous mutation and eight cases of single heterozygous mutation in SLC25A13 gene. Three kinds of mutations detected were 851del4 (73.1%), 1638ins23 (11.5%) and IVS6+5G>A (15.4%). The seventeen cases showed classical NICCD symptoms of low birth weight, pathological jaundice. And laboratory data suggested liver dysfunction, hyperbilirubinemia, hyperbileacidemia, hy-poproteinemia, hypoglycemia, coagulation disorders, hyperlactacidemia and hyperammonemia. Conclusions 851del4, 1638ins23 and IVS6+5G>A are hot spots of SLC25A13 gene mutation in Chinese populations. PCR-RFLP is a rapid, convenient and reliable technology for NICCD molecular diagnosis.

Objective The combination of vasopressin and epinephrine has long been thought to be more effective then epinephrine alone in cardiopulrnonary resuscitation (CPR), evidence is not enough to make such a clinical recommendation. This meta-analysis compared the efficacy of vasopressin and epinephrine used together versus epinephrine alone in cardiac arrest (ca) in order to verify the truth. Method MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for the data of randomized trials in comparing the results of co-administration of vasopressin and epinephrine with epinephrine alone in adults with cardiac arrest. The primary outcome was the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Results Six randomized trials in 485 articles were analyzed. We failed to get the results supporting the effectiveness of this combination therapy, except for the rate of 24 hours survival (OR: 2.99,95%CI:1.43 ~ 6.28). No evidence supported that vasopressin combined with epinephrine was better than epinephrine alone in ROSC. Conclusions This systematic review indicates the combination of vasopressin and epinephrine is better for the rate of 24 hpurs survival in only 122 patients. Further investigation is needed to support the use of combination therapy for cardiac arrest.

Objective To investigate the variation of biomarker of coagulation, anti-coagulation, fibrinolysis in elderly critical patients and find out whether they are related to the disease severity. Methods Sixty-seven patients were no less than 60 years old. Eligible criteria: coincidence with the diagnostic criteria of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and APACHE Ⅱ score was no less than 10 scores. Blood sample was drawn from the venous for the test of biomarker (APTT, PT, TT, D-D, Fib, AT-Ⅲ , PC, PAI-1). According to the existent status,all the patients were divided into two groups:survival group (43 cases) and death group(24 cases) ,meanwhile,according to the diagnostic criteria of MODSE,all the patients were divided into MODSE group (30 cases) and non-MODSE group (37 cases). Results There were significant differences in APACHE Ⅱ score between MODSE group and non-MODSE group, survival group and death group [(25.83 ± 1.19) scores vs(18.1±20.73) scores and(18.81±0.72) scores vs(26.50 ± 1.42) scores](P <0.01). The PT and D-D in MODSE group anti death group were higher than those in non-MODSE group and survival group, the differences were significant (P <0.05),while the activity of AT-Ⅲand PC in MODSE group and death group were lower than those in non-MODSE group and survival group, the differences were significant (P <0.05). The PT,D-D and PAI-1 were positively correlated to APACHE Ⅱ score (related coefficients were 0.328, 0.308, 0.335,P <0.05). The AT-Ⅲ and PC were negatively correlated to APACHE Ⅱ score (related coefficients were -0.469, -0.559,P <0.01). Conclusions The abnormality of eoagnlation-fibfinolysis system exists in elderly critical patients. The extended PT, elevated D-D and PAI-1 ,descended PC and AT-Ⅲ are the hints of disease severity and poor prognosis.

AIM:To observe the characterization in neural cells derived from the hippocampus of embryonic rats and to examine the effect of myelin-associated glycoprotein(MAG) on the proliferation,differentiation and neurite growth of neural stem cells(NSCs).METHODS:The hippocampus cells of embryonic rats were isolated and cultured in vitro.The expressions of nestin and doublecortin,the marks of NSCs,were observed by immunocytochemical method.The rate of proliferating cells was examined by BrdU immunocytochemistry.The average neuronal neurite length and the percentage of differentiated neurons were detected by immunocytochemistry staining.RESULTS:The hippocampus cells of 16 days old embryonic rats had the characteristics of NSCs.The percentage of differentiated neurons(?-tubulin Ⅲ-positive cells) was 18.17%?2.79% and the average neuronal neurite length was(136.27?33.66)?m,seven days after the differentiation initiated in vitro in control group.After NSCs were treated with MAG-Fc(200 ?g/L),the percentage of differentiated neurons and the average neurite length were decreased,respectively,to 10.05%?3.42%(P0.05).CONCLUSION:MAG-Fc inhibits the differentiation and neurite growth of the NSCs,but has no effect on the proliferation.