Objective To observe the regulation of ?-7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(?-7-nAChRs) by nicotine in the ventral tegmental area(VTA),the substantia nigra(SN) and the cortex of the rat. Methods Nicotine exposed animal models were established.The changes of ?-7-nAChRs proteins and mRNA were observed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in VTA,SN and cortex,and the expression of ?-7-nAChRs proteins by Western blotting in PC12 cells. Results The expression of ?-7-nAChRs proteins in cortex and mRNA in VTA and SN were upregulated by nicotine.The expressions of ?-7-nAChRs in PC12 cells were in proportion to and dependent on the time for nicotine to function and the dose.Conclusion Both ?-7-nAChRs mRNA in VTA and SN in transcriptional mechanism and ?-7-nAChRs protein in the cortex at the translation level were upregulated.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of self-disigned long-thick silicone prothesis in the treatment of severe microgenia.Methods A long-thick silicone prothesis was designed according to the measurement results gained by a coordinate caliper.The designed long-thick silicone prothesis was sterilized by uperization.The procedure commenced under local anesthesia for all patients.The prothesis was placed through an intraoral incision.The digital photographs were taken at the pretreatment visits and 3 months and 12 months after treatment follow-up to observe the change of the chin projection.Results 20 cases of severe microgenia were treated with this technique.All wounds healed primarily.There was no infection,extrusion and rejective reaction.The profiles of chins were improved obviously and reached aesthetic standard.Only one implant required adjustment 3 months after first operation because of displacement.After 12 months follow-up the reshaping contour of the chins were satisfied.Locations of silicone prothesis were stable.No differences of the chin projection were observed.All patients were satisfied with their cosmetic results.Conclusions Implanting long-thick silicone prothesis to correct severe microgenia is safe,effective,simply,cheap and less invasive.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in senile dementia pa-tients,so as to adopt effective nursing measures to reduce the incidence of HAI.Methods Clinical data of 82 senile dementia patients aged≥60 years and hospitalized between January 2011 and June 2013 were analyzed retrospective-ly.Results Of 82 patients,28 (34.15%)developed HAI.The main infection site was lower respiratory tract(n=15,53.57%),followed by urinary tract(n=6,21 .43%).Univariate analysis revealed that risk factors for HAI in senile dementia patients were bedridden,long length of hospital stay ,dysphagia,indwelling urinary catheter,irra-tional use of antimicrobial agents,combined with tumor,and hypoproteinemia (all P <0.05 ).The main isolated bacteria were gram-negative bacilli(n=40,62.50%),the top three pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=12, 18.75%),Escherichia coli (n =10,15.63%),and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n =8,12.50%).Conclusion Reali-zing the risk factors and common pathogens of HAI in senile dementia patients is helpful for taking effective meas-ures to prevent and control the incidence of HAI .

AIM: To explore the characteristics of T cell activation and regulatory T cells derived from murine Peyer's patches through comparative studies on Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and inguinal lymph nodes. METHODS: Signal cell suspendsions were prepared from murine mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), the Peyer's patches (PPs) and inguinal lymph nodes (ILNs), respectively. The percentage of cell subpopulations such as CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ helper T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg, CD4+CD25+) were analyzed. Lymphocytes were activated by polyclonal stimulators such as concanavalin (Con A), phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) only, and PDB plus ionomycin (Ion). The expression of CD69 (the early marker of CD3+ T cell activation) was measured by FACS. RESULTS: A lower ratio of CD3+ T cells was seen in PPs than those in MLNs and ILNs. The ratios of CD3+ CD4+ T cells to CD3+ T cells in PPs, MLNs and ILNs were almost the same. A higher rate of Treg was seen in CD4+ T cells from the PPs as compared with those from MLNs and ILNs. A higher percentage of activated CD3+ T cells derived from the PPs cultured without polyclonal stimulators were detected as compared to MLNs and ILNs, while lower responsiveness of CD3+ T cells from the PPs stimulated by Con A was seen as compared with those from MLNs and ILNs. CONCLUSIONS: The lower rate of CD3+ T cells as well as higher rate of Treg in PPs was due to its desensitization. The higher rate of basic activated state in CD3+ T cells from the PPs indicated that the T cells were activated by enteric antigens in physiological conditions. The lower responsiveness of activation to some polyclonal stimulators probably reveals that the T cells are in a state of anergy. All the characteristics mentioned above contribute to prevent pathological inflammations and maintain tolerance to enteric antigens such as food proteins and commensal bacteria but simultaneously retain proper immune responses to pathogenic microbes.

Objective To explore whether the antagonistic effect of decorin (DCN)on progression of glomeruloselerosis is associated with the inhibition of the expression of type I and type II transforming growth factor-? receptors (TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II )in mesangial cells (MsC). Methods RT-RCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II mRNA and their proteins on cultured rat MsC stimulated by exogenous TGF-?1. Lipofectin-mediated method was used to transfect DCN vector into MsC. After screening and identifying of transfected MsC, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were adapted to detect the changes of TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II expression respectively. Results The expression of TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II mRNA and their proteins on normal MsC stimulated by exogenous TGF-?1 increased in time-dependent manner and reached the peak at 24th hour. Compared with normal and untransfected MsC (1P-1), the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II on MsC (3D-5, 7D-1) transfecled by DCN gene decreased significantly, and DCN gene transfection could antagonize the increase of mRNA and protein expression of both receptors caused by exogenous TGF-?1. Conclusions The expression of both TGF-?R I and TGF-?R II decreases obviously in MsC overexpressing DCN gene, which may be one of the importan antagonistic mechanisms of decorin involved in the development of glomeruloselerosis mediated by TGF-?.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of decorin(DCN) on rat mesangial cell (MsC) growth and on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and p21 protein. Methods Lipofectin-mediated method was used to transfect DCN vector into MsC. After the screen and identification of transfected MsC, DCN-containing supernatant was collected and added into the culture medium of normal MsC, then flow cytometer was used to detect the cell cycle. Western blot analysis was used to explore the changes of MAPK and p21 protein. Immunofluorescence was adapted to detect the expression of p21 on cultured MsC. Results Compared with normal MsC, the number of G2-M cells treated with DCN-containing supernatant decreased to 35%(P

Objective: To select the common syndrome factors of menopausal syndrome through questionnaire investigation among experts. Methods: Firstly, a questionnaire was constructed on the basis of our previous research, and then investigation of the experts by the questionnaire was carried out. The experts came from twelve tertiary hospitals (6 cities) in China, and engaged in clinical practice of gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The common TCM syndrome factors of menopausal syndrome were selected based on consent degree of the experts in mean value, full marks ratio, rank sum and variation coefficient. Results: One hundred sets of the questionnaires were sent out and ninety-eight sets were returned back. The callback rate was 98%. In accordance with cumulative percentage of expert agreement and complete agreement more than 50% and the coefficient variation less than 0.25, we confirmed the common TCM syndrome factors of menopause syndrome. The syndrome factors related to disease location were kidney, liver, heart, and spleen, and those related to the nature of disease were yin deficiency, deficiency of essence, yang deficiency, hyperactivity of yang, qi deficiency, qi stagnation, blood deficiency, and blood stasis. Conclusion: Expert consultation questionnaire can collect consensus opinions of experts and is effective for identifying common TCM syndrome factors of a disease. The TCM syndrome factors acquired through the study may provide the evidence for establishment of TCM syndrome diagnosis criteria for the disease in future.

Objective:To observe change of peripheral serum levels of soluble ST 2 (sST2 ) and copeptin in patients with chronic heart disease (CHF) ,and explore their diagnostic value for heart failure . Methods :A total of 80 CHF patients ,who hospitalized in our department of cardiology from Jun 1st ,2015 to Dec 1st ,2015 ,were selected as CHF group .Meanwhile ,another 30 patients with cardiac neurosis or arrhythmia were regarded as normal cardiac function group .According to NYHA classification ,CHF group was further divided into class II group (n= 22 ) , class III group (n=32) and class IV group (n=26) .Serum sST2 and copeptin levels were measured and compared a‐mong all groups ,and their correlation was analyzed .Results:Compared with normal cardiac function group ,there were significant rise in serum levels of sST2 [(0.27 ± 0.09) ng/ml vs .(1.18 ± 0.81) ng/ml] and copeptin [(1239.64 ± 229.98) pg/ml vs .(1987.16 ± 426.84) pg/ml] in CHF group , P< 0.01 both .Compared with class II group , there were significant rise in serum levels of sST2 [ (0.46 ± 0.17) ng/ml vs .(0.77 ± 0.18) ng/ml vs .(2.31 ± 0.29) ng/ml] and copeptin [ (1625.61 ± 522.13) pg/ml vs .(2103.15 ± 340.74) pg/ml vs .(2194.31 ± 332.97) pg/ml] in class III and class IV group ,and those of class IV group were significantly higher than those of class III group , P<0.05 or <0.01 .Pearson product‐moment correlation analysis indicated that serum sST2 level was significant posi‐tively correlated with serum copeptin level in CHF group (r=0.66 ,P=0.005) .Conclusion:Serum sST2 and copep‐tin levels are closely associated with severity of heart failure .They can be used as markers for heart failure ,which is worth extending .

Objective:To explore diagnostic value of soluble tumor necrosis factor - like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and interleukin (IL) -6 concentrations in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) .Methods:A total of 170 ACS patients hospitalized in our hospital from Jan 1st ,2014 to Jun 31st ,2014 were selected as ACS group ,mean‐while ,80 inpatients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) or coronary CT were se‐lected as SAP group ,and another 80 patients excluded for coronary heart disease (CHD) by CAG were regarded as normal control group .ACS group was further divided into ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group (n=45) ,non -STEMI (NSTEMI) group (n=52) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group (n=73) .Plasma sTWEAK and serum IL‐6 concentrations were compared among all groups .Results:Compared with normal control group and SAP group ,there were significant rise in concentrations of plasma sTWEAK [ (120.32 ± 10.15) ng/L vs .(123.86 ± 15.23) ng/L vs .(140.05 ± 17.51) ng/L] and serum IL‐6 [ (110.34 ± 26.01) pg/ml vs .(112.38 ± 25.74) pg/ml vs .(245.23 ± 68.58) pg/ml] (P<0.01 all) ,but there were no significant difference between normal control group and SAP group , P>0.05. There were no significant difference in plasma sTWEAK and serum IL‐6 concentrations among UAP group ,NSTEMI group and STEMI group , P>0.05 all .Conclusion:Plasma sTWEAK and serum IL‐6 concentrations significantly rise in ACS patients ,which possesses certain diagnostic value for ACS .

AIM:To investigate the effects of AT-2-inactivated HIV-1 particles on human CD4+T cell activation and cytokine secretion in whole blood (WB) in vitro. METHODS: HIV-1ⅢB particles were inactivated by AT-2 chemical and the concentration of p24 antigen was determined by p24 ELISA. AT-2-inactivated HIV-1ⅢB particles were added to human WB culture system in serial concentrations to stimulate the cells. PHA was used as positive control. After 24 h, all the cultural supernatants were harvested and the concentrations of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-? and TNF-?) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) cytokines released to the supernatants were detected by cytometric bead array (CBA). The percentage of CD69 expression on CD4+T cells from WB was detected by immuno-fluorescence staining plus flow cytometry. RESULTS: The concentration of p24 antigen in the AT-2-inactivated specimen was 85.5 ?g/L. 24 h later, the percentage of CD69 expression on CD4+T cells from control group was (1.62?0.63) %, whereas it was (38.82?6.00)%, (3.83?1.07)%, (5.94?0.85)% and (9.30?1.22)% in PHA group, HIV-1 (1/500) group, HIV-1 (1/50) group and HIV-1 (1/5) group, respectively. Cytokines secreted by WB in control group were mainly TNF-? and IL-6. However, all the six cytokines tested were strikingly increased in PHA group, as well as in HIV-1ⅢB groups. CONCLUSION: AT-2-inactivated HIV-1ⅢB particles activate CD4+T cells from WB, and up-regulate both Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion in WB. Besides the effects of viral proteins, other mechanisms may be proposed that HIV-1 particles act as antigen presenting cell (APC) because many host-derived immune molecules are incorporated into HIV-1 envelop when it is released from infected cells by budding, and exert immune modulation.