BACKGROUND: Dialysis-related amyloid may occur during long-term dialysis for patients with uraemia, of which the main evocator is β_2-microglobulin (β_22M); therefore, how to eliminate 132M from blood is always the focus of research. OBJECTIVE: To observe ability of removal of β_2-microglobulin (β_2M) from serum using two kinds of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane materials with various degrees of sulfonation.METHODS: These materials were incubated in radio-labeled β_2M (~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M) solution and human serum respectively at appointed time at 37 ℃, and then the amounts of ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M and serumβ_2M adsorbed by materials were measured by radio immunoassay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M system, amounts of ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M adsorbed by the materials decreased in the following sequence PES with high degree of sulfonation > PES with low degree of sulfonation > PES, whatever the source of PES was. In the serum system, amounts of β_2M adsorbed reached maximums at 30 minutes and the final adsorptions decreased in sequence of PES with high degree of sulfonation > PES with low degree of sulfonaUon > PES. Sulfonated PES removed β_2M more than PES did and the adsorption of β_2M increases with the increase in the degree of sulfonation. Its ability to remove significant amount of β_2M may result in less β_2M available for incorporation into amyloid. The use of sulfonated PES membranes may lessen the likelihood of development of dialysis-related amyloidosis, which remains a major source of morbidity for patients treated with long-term hemodialysis.

Objective To investigate the role of prenatal single-dose administration of dexamethasone and ambroxol on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) of fetal and neonatal rats. Methods Fifty-four pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups with eighteen rats in each group:rats treated with 0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone (group 1),0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone and 100 mg/kg ambroxol (group 2),or saline(controls) on the 17th day of gestation.The lung tissues of the offsprings were harvest independently on the 19th day of gestation,the postnatal 3 days and 7 days.The expressions of TLR4 in fetal/neonatal rat lungs of each pregnant rat were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),immunohistochemistry stain,and Western blot. ANOVA and two independent samples t-test were applied. Results On the 19th day of pregnancy,TLR4 mRNA expression was up-regulated in lungs of the two treatment groups compared with controls(controls:0.26 ± 0.18,group 1:0.39 ± 0.21,t =5.866,P＜ 0.05 ; control:0.27 ± 0.22,group 2:0.46 ± 0.13,t =9.572,P＜ 0.01 ).TLR4 mRNA expression was up-regulated in group 2 compared with controls on the postnatal 3 days and 7 days(postnatal 3 d:0.59 ± 0.23 and 0.47 ±0.24,t=2.295,P＜0.05;postnatal 7 d:0.52±0.12 and 0.35±0.17,t=4.219,P＜0.05),while no significant difference was found in group 1 compared with the controls(postnatal 3 d:0.45±0.22 and 0.44±0.14,t=0.128,P＞0.05; postnatal 7 d:0.40±0.16 and 0.36 ±0.12,t=1.365,P＞0.05).Results of the immunohistochemistry demonstrated that on the 19th day of pregnancy,the protein expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in the two treatment groups (controls:0.20 ± 0.29,group 1:0.35±0.32,t=7.179,P＜0.05 ;controls:0.20±0.29,group 2:0.39±0.25,t=10.764,P＜0.01).The protein expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in group 2 on the postnatal 3 days and 7 days(postnatal 3 d:0.55±0.32 and 0.37±0.18,t=7.121,P＜0.05;postnatal 7 d:0.41±0.29and 0.25±0.24,t=6.355,P＜0.05),while no notable difference was found between group 1 and the control (postnatal 3 d:0.40±0.21 and 0.37±0.18,t=0.683,P＞0.05 ;postnatal 7 d:0.28±0.31 and 0.25±0.24,t=0.462,P＞0.05).Results of the Western blot demonstrated that on the 19th day of pregnancy,the protein expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in the two treatment groups (controls:0.15 ± 0.12,group 1:0.27± 0.20,t =7.835,P＜0.05; controls:0.16 ± 0.18,group 2:0.34±0.16,t=10.470,P＜0.01).The protein expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in lungs of the combination administration group on the postnatal 3 days and 7 days(postnatal 3 d:group 2:0.37±0.20 and 0.25±0.22,t=6.379,P＜0.05; postnatal 7 d:0.35±0.15 and 0.24±0.13,t=5.152,P＜0.05),while no notable difference could be found between group 1 and the control (postnatal3 d:0.32±0.26 and 0.25±0.16,t=1.167,P＞0.05; postnatal 7 d:0.29±0.19 and 0.24±0.10,t =1.248,P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusions Prenatal single-dose administration of dexamethasone may up-regulate the expression of TLR4 in the rat fetal lung.The up-regulation of TLR4 might be one of the critical factors for glucocorticoid-induced maturity of fetal lung.Prenatal single-dose administration of dexamethasone and ambroxol may have effects on the regulation of TLR4 not only in fetal rats,but also in neonatal rats.

Objective To determine the toxicity of therapeutical Serratia marcescans vaccine when repeated intracerebral administration into rat brain.Methods SD rats are prepared by intracranial embedding location catheter and were randomly divided into 8 groups:namely normal control,lunar control group(give NS in same dose),low dosage group,middle dosage group and high dosage group of acute stage or restore stage.Three dosage of vaccine S311 were administrated(low 320 million/kg,middle 1600 million/kg,high 8000 million/kg).The embedding catheter rats were fixed point injecting vaccine,once per day for 15 days with microsyringe of microdialysis device.While continuously record the common status,appetite,body weight of animals.25 days later,Animals were killed to observe the morphology of brain.Results The main pathologic changes of high dosage group were inflammatory cell infiltration into the tissues around injecting location,subarachnoid space,and ependyma.The inflammatory cell is mainly gial cell,monocytes,lymphocytes.No degeneration and necrosis of brain tissue were observed.The inflammatory reaction of brain tissues around injecting location was correlated with the dosages.Except the inflammation around injecting location,the other brain tissues were normal and absent of organic pathological changes.After 25 days restoration,the inflammation around injecting location was absorbed.Conclusions The method of intracranial embedding catheter and fixed point injecting is successful.Intracranial administration of therapeutical Serratia marcescans vaccine is mainly effect on location around injecting to elicit localized,reversible,and non-specific inflammatory reaction.

Objective To study the characteristics of neutralization antibody in mice induced by DNA vaccines of hemagglutinin(HA) of novel H1N1 influenza A virus(2009H1N1).Methods HA encoding plasmids of 2009H1N1 or 1918H1N1(2009HA or 1918HA)were constructed.25 μg or 200 μg dosage of 2009HA plasmids were used to immunize the mice,the total antibody of anti-20O9HA or cross-reactive antibody were assayed by ELISA using 2009HA or 1918HA protein as capture antigen,and the neutralizing antibody were assayed by two kinds of virus pseudo - particles(pp) of 2009H1N1 and 1918H1N1 .Results During of 4 to 16 weeks after boost immunization,in two groups of mice immunized with 25 μg or 200 μg dosage 2009HA plasmids,both total antibody of anti-2009HA and neutralizing antibody to 2009H1Nlpp reached the similar level(P ＞0.05),and there were cross-reactive antibody to 1918HA protein in two groups of mice serum,with similar titers of cross-neutralizing activity to 1918H1N1 pp(P ＞0.05),Conclusion A low dosage DNA vaccine encoding HA of 2009 H1 N1 virus is able to induce persistent and high level of neutralizing antibody,and may be potential valuable vaccine against the new emerging influenza virus.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) for unconfirmed microlithiasis under endoscopic retrograde cholangiography ( ERC). Methods The data of 22 patients who were definitely diagnosed as having microlithiasis by IDUS and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) from July 2007 to September 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Microlith was defined as choledo-cholith equal to or less than 3 mm in diameter. Using IDUS plus EST findings as golden standard of bile duct microlithiasis, the accuracy of diagnosis and rate of missed diagnosis of transabdominal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) and ERC were evaluated and compared. Results Diagnosis rates of trans-abdominal ultrasonography, MRC and ERC for extra-hepatic duct microlithiasis were 27. 3% (6/22), 38. 5% (5/13) and 27. 3% (6/22) , respectively. Detection rates of common bile duct dilation by 3 methods were 68. 2% (15/22) , 84. 6% (11/13) and 68. 2% (15/22) , respectively. The microlithiasis in 2 patients, which manifested as repeated acute pancreatitis, were missed by transabdominal ultrasonography , MRC and ERC, and were finally confirmed by IDUS. Conclusion Sensitivity of ERC in diagnosis of extra-hepatic microlithiasis is not superior to that of transabdominal ultrasonography or MRC. IDUS is a technically easy, safe, highly sensitive and accurate procedure, which is helpful in differentiation of etiology of recurrent acute pancreatitis.

ObjectiveTo observe the hong-huang antioxidant on oxidative stress in patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy, including their related blood indexes, blood rheology changes, and the effects on TCM clinical symptoms and symptoms of stress.MethodsA total of 60 cases of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy from Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM was randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 30 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional therapy, patients in treatment group were given hong-huang antioxidant (100 mL per bag) from the 1st day to the 14th day of chemotherapy, 2 bags for each day (morning and evening). Patients in control group were given foundation treatment the same as the treatment group. Patients in the two groups had their serum NO, the content of SOD, and blood rheology tested on the day before chemotherapy, and the 4th, 7th, 14th days during chemotherapy. Meanwhile, their symptom score and the integral of stress reaction and TCM symptoms were also assessed. ResultsOn the 4th day, serum NO of treatment group decreased, while SOD content increased,without statistical significance between the two groups (P>0.05). Serum NO on the 7th, 14th days was significantly lower than that in the control group, but the content of SOD was higher than that in the control group, with statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.05). Hemorheology on the 4th day significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05), and was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.05); Clinical symptoms and stress symptoms integral in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group on the 4th, 7th, 14th days of chemotherapy, with statistical significance (P<0.05).Conclusion Hong-huang antioxidant can significantly improve the oxidative stress status, serological indexes, related blood rheology indexes, and clinical symptoms in patients with breast cancer.

Objective To explore the protective effect of Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue decoction on the immunological function in tumor-bearing mice treated by cyclophosphamide.Methods Transplantable carcinomas animal model were constructed by inoculating tumor cell to mice for 24 hours,and randomly divided into five groups.Tumor-bearing control group were reveived normal saline 0.2 mL per mice one day by intraperitoneal injection,and normal saline 0.4 mL per mice each day by intragastric administration.Cyclophosphamide group were reveived CTX 20 mg per kg weight each day,and normal saline 0.4 mL per mice each day.Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue Decoction low dose group were reveived CTX 20 mg per kg weight each day and traditional Chinese medicine 0.1 g per mice each day.Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue Decoction mediate dose group were reveived CTX 20 mg per kg weight each day and traditional Chinese medicine 0.2 g per mice each day.Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue Decoction high dose group were reveived CTX 20 mg per kg weight each day and traditional Chinese medicine 0.4 g per mice each day.The weight indices of thymus gland and spleen,NK-cell activity and the proliferation of T-lymphocyte in five groups were measured after ten 10 days treatment.Results The weight indices of thymus gland and spleen,NK-cell activity and the proliferation of T- lymphocyte were increased in all three Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue decoction groups,especially in Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue decoction mediate and high dose group,the differences between them and CTX group were statistically significan(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Sijunzi decoction and Danggui Buxue decoction can antagonize the decrease of immunological function in tumor-bearing mice treated by chemotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the relative efficacy of different dosages of Calf Pulmonary Surfactant (Calsurf) administration in premature infants with established respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS).Methods Four neonatal intensive care units in Jiangsu province were enrolled.Premature infants,birth weight ＜ 2 500 g,with NRDS,received 70 mg/kg (61 cases)or 100 mg/kg (69 cases)Calsurf.Clinical and respiratory parameters were recorded.The primary outcome measures were blood gas analysis of 1 h,12 h and 36 h after administration,the need for oxygenation and ventilatory requirements and the adverse events of NRDS.Results Arterial oxygen tension[pa (O2)] results in a significant improvement(80.27-±36.81) mmHg,(73.03 ±24.94) mmHg and (72.35 ± 24.72) mmHg at 1 h,12 h and 24 h in higher dose group(P ＜ 0.05),(67.95 ± 23.79) mmHg,(72.35 ± 24.72) mmHg in 24 h,as compared with the lower dose group at the same time [(67.07 ± 19.94) mmHg,(62.93 ± 21.71) mmHg,(67.95 ±-23.79) mmHg] (P ＞ 0.05).Inspired oxygen (FiO2) and pa (O2) decreased after administration in two groups and the duration of FiO2 decline lasted to 48 h (all P ＜ 0.05).The oxygen index (OI) was improved after Calsurf administration,especially in the infants who received 100 mg/kg of Calsurf with 6.1 ± 2.8,5.6 ± 3.3,5.5 ± 3.5,5.8 ± 4.5,5.3 ± 3.1 in 1 h,12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,respectively(P ＜ 0.01).The arterial-to-alveolar oxygen tension ratio (a/APO2) of 100 mg/kg group was reduced significantly in 1 h,12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h with 0.39 ±0.22,0.42 ±0.20,0.45 ± 0.22,0.44 ± 0.22,0.46 ± 0.21 as compared with 0.27 ± 0.18 which was at the time point before administration (P ＜ 0.01).Although not statistically significant,the mean time of duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen inhalation of higher dose group were decreased as compared to the lower dose group [(94.54 ± 113.44) h vs (109.27 ± 124.87) h (P＞0.05) and (259.10 ±280.45) vs (372.31 ±398.08) h(P ＞0.05)].There were no significant differences in the rates of other adverse events such as pneumonia,pneumothorax,intracranial hemorrhage,patent ductus arteriosus (PDA),pneumorrhagia,necrotizing enterocolitis,septicemia between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Calsurf given to preterm infants with NRDS at a dose of 100 mg/kg resulted in a higher Pa (O2),a/APO2,better OI and lower FiO2 as compared with those receiving 70 mg/kg.The need for mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplement were reduced with higher-dose administration.Large dose of Calsurf did not increase the risk of complications as mentioned above.

AIM: To observe the levels of triglyceridemia(TG),uricemia(UA),glycemia(GLU),the activity of 3-glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH) in blood and the gene expression in the liver in the animal model of hypertriglyceridemia,hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia.METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into three groups,control group,fructose group,fructose and fenofibrate treated group.Rats in control group were fed with standard chow.Rats in fructose group were fed with high fructose diet.Rats in fructose and fenofibrate group were fed with high fructose diet,and treated with fenofibrate 100 mg?kg-1?d-1 by intragastric administration at the same time.Rats in control group and fructose group were given distilled water by intragastric administration.The levels of TG,UA and GLU were detected.Improved method was used to measure the activity of GAPDH.Quanti Gene technology was applied to determine the transcriptional level of GAPDH mRNA.RESULTS: During 7-28 d,the level of TG in fructose group was significantly and persistently high.During 14-28 d,the level of UA was higher.The level of GLU higher than that in control group was only observed at 28th day.The GAPDH activity change in blood and the expression in liver were significantly lower than that in norma1 during 7-28 d.Fenofibrate had the effect on reducing TG only at 7th day and reduced the level of GLU significantly at 28th day.Fenofibrate also increased the GAPDH activity in blood and the expression in liver at 7th day.CONCLUSION: ① The level of TG is significantly and persistently high in the early days by feeding with excessive fructose.The levels of UA and GLU are higher with the time cause of the model development.② The significantly higher level of TG,UA and GLU may be correlated with the reduction of the GAPDH activity in blood and the expression in liver.③ Fenofibrate has the effect of reducing the TG level only in the condition of hypertriglyceridemia,but not in the condition of accompanying hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia.④ The mechanism of reducing the TG level by fenofibrate may be correlated with the increase in GAPDH activity in blood and the expression in liver.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion tensor imaging is a common technique applied for clinical studies of the brain, but it is rarely used for the diagnosis or prognosis of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of spinal cord injury using micrological techniques, and to evaluate spinal cord transection with diffusion tensor imaging technology, thus providing a good animal model for further intervention. METHODS: Twelve healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were applied to establish spinal cord injury models using precise microscopic techniques, and another six rats in the sham operated group served as controls. Spinal cord transection of experimental rats after modeling was observed using diffusion tensor imaging. Motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials were used to detect electrical physiological changes of rats.Neurological function changes of rats were evaluated using slope experiments and Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After experimental rats regained consciousness, their lower extremities exhibited complete paralysis, the tails cannot swing, accompanying urinary retention. Diffusion tensor imaging displayed the T10 segment of spinal cord was completely transected. Motor and sensory evoked potential waveform were not drawn compared than control group. At 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks after operation, the test angle of slope experiments was less than 30° and Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score was less than 10 points; as the time prolonged, lower limb irritating reflections of some rats were visible, but no initiative functional activity was found, local spinal cord structure were severely damaged. Precise microscopic techniques can successfully establish spinal cord injury model in rats, and diffusion tension imaging clearly visualizes the complete transection of the T10 spinal cord.