Aim: To compare the stability of Endostar~(TM) and endostatin under different temperatures and pH using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis( PAGE) and Western blot and to compare the activity of Endostar kept at 4 ℃ and 37 ℃ by inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Methods: Endostar and endostatin expressed by Phicha pastoris were kept at 4 ℃, and 37 ℃ for 96 hours, respectively. The electrophoresis of the samples was detected by reduced and non-reduced PAGE. The results were further confirmed by Western blot with rabbit anti-Endostar polyclonal antibody. The inhibitory effect of Endostar stored at different temperatures on HUVEC was also exam-ined by cell-based assay. Results: Single band at 20 kD was detected in all lanes of SDS-PAGE gel loaded with endostatin and Endostar samples under reducing condition. In acidic native PAGE with three different pH values, endostatin showed a smear characteristic, whereas Endostar showed a unique band in acidic non-continuous native PAGE. Although the smear phenomenon was also observed under two conditions of constant native elec-trophoresis, the major band of Endostar could be detected. Similar electrophoretic behavior was found for endosta-tin and Endostar stored at both 37 ℃ and 4 ℃ . Western blot showed similar results to those by PAGE. Furthermore, Endostar stored at these two temperatures also had identical inhibitory effect on proliferation of HUVEC. Conclusion: Endostar and endostatin exhibit similar thermostability at regular conditions, but Endostar was more stable than endostatin expressed in P. pastoris under acidic condition.

Objective To determine the clinical indications and detection efficiency of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in Jiangsu Province, China. Methods A total of 13 041 pregnant women from nine hospitals in Jiangsu Province who voluntarily accepted NIPT for chromosome 13, 18, 21 and sex chromosome from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were singleton pregnancies and spontaneously conceived. Invasive prenatal diagnosis followed by fetal chromosome karyotype analysis was recommended in high-risk women following NIPT. The clinical indications and positive predictive value of NIPT were conducted. Results NIPT detected 88, 19, 9 and 64 cases at high risk for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and X chromosome aneuploidy, and the positive rate was 0.67%, 0.15%, 0.07% and 0.49%, respectively. Among the 74, 13, 8 and 44 high-risk cases who accepted chromosome karyotype analysis, respectively, 67 cases were diagnosed with trisomy 21, 12 cases with trisomy 18, one case with trisomy 13, and 18 cases with numerical X chromosome abnormality. The positive predictive value was 90.5% (67/74), 12/13, 1/8 and 40.9% (18/44), respectively. One pregnant woman who was reported as high-risk trisomy 21 following NIPT, but high-risk trisomy 18 at prior serum screening, was eventually diagnosed with fetal trisomy 18 by chromosome karyotype analysis, whose placenta was a mosaic of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. High-risk following serum screening was the most common indication for NIPT accounting for 46.4% (6 056/13 041), followed by low-risk but asking for testing (28.9%, 3 773/13 041) and advanced age (20.5%, 2 673/13 041). Conclusions High-risk, low-risk but asking for testing and advanced maternal age are common indications for NIPT in Jiangsu Province. The positive predictive value of NIPT for trisomy 21 or trisomy 18 is relatively high, but is much lower for trisomy 13 or X chromosome aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of nanometer light catalysis decontamination machine on air disinfection in the hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) chamber in the hospital.METHODS The nanometer light catalysis decontamination machine was used to disinfect the HBO chamber air at the time of thirty minutes after patients leaving the chamber when the HBO therapy was finished,then the amount of bacteria in the air was monitored before and 1,2 and 3 hours after disinfection,respectively.RESULTS After disinfection using nanometer light catalysis decontamination machine,the amount of bacteria in the chamber air decreased from 764-1989 CFU/m3 before disinfection to 31-268 CFU/m3.The mean ratio of natural bacteria dissolution was more than 80%.CONCLUSIONS Using nanometer light catalysis decontamination machine is a safe and effective method for air disinfection in the HBO chamber.

Objective To investigate the life satisfaction and its related factors in primary caregivers of breast cancer patients. Methods The Life Satisfactory Index A (LSIA) and self-administrated questionnaire were used. The life satisfaction between breast cancer patients'primary caregivers and breast benign patients' primary caregivers were compared. The factors of the life satisfaction in primary caregivers of breast cancer patients were analyzed. Results The life satisfaction was poorer in the breast cancer patients' primary caregivers than in the breast benign patients' primary caregivers (P<0.01). The life satisfaction in the breast cancer patients' primary caregivers was correlated with the stage of breast cancer, course of disease, primary caregivers' age and family monthly income (P<0.05). Conclusion The life satisfaction in breast cancer patients' primary caregivers is worse and is related with stage of breast cancer, course of disease, primary caregivers' age and family monthly income.

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane wash-in during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on myocardial injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods Forty ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients aged 50-64 yr,weighing 53-90 kg undergoing scheduled for CABG under CPB were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20): control group (group C) and sevoflurane group(group S).Anesthesia was maintained with propofol 3-5 mg·kg-1 ·h-1 and sufentanil 0.5-1.0 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 in both groups.Sevoflurane 1％-2％ was washed into extracorporeal circuit during CPB in group S.Blood samples were taken from central vein after the induction of anesthesia (T0,baseline) and at 6,12 and 24 h (T1-3) after operation for determination of plasma cardiac troponin I(cTnI) concentration and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity.Myocardial specimens were obtained from right auricle before aortic cross-clamping and at the end of CPB for ultrastructure examination.The severity of mitochondria injury was assessment and scored (0 =normal,4 =impaired inner mitochondrial membrane integrity).Results CPB significantly increased plasma cTnI concentration at T1-3 as compared with the baseline values at T0 before CPB.Plasma cTnI concentration was significantly lower at T2 and T3 in group S than in group C.Mitochondrial injury index was significantly lower at the end of CPB in group S than in group C.There was no significant difference in plasma CK-MB activity between the 2 groups.Conclusion Wash-in of sevoflurane during CPB can attenuate myocardial injury in patients undergoing CABG.

Objective To study the effects of 5-aza-dc on the expression of IGFBP7 in and proliferation of melanoma cell lines A375 and M14.Methods Reverse transcription-PCR and immunocytochemistry were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP7 in A375 cells and M14 cells after treatment with 5-aza-dc of 10μmol/L for 48 hours,and MTT assay to measure the proliferation of both cell lines treated with 4 different concentrations (2.5,5,10,20μmol/L) of 5-aza-dc for various durations.Results The treatment with 5-aza-dc restored IGFBP7 expression at both mRNA and protein levels.The four concentrations of 5-aza-dc inhibited the proliferation of A375 and M14 cells in a dose-dependent (F=561.12,271.43,respectively,both P<0.01) and time-dependent (F=141.35,549.33,respectively,both P<0.01) manner.Conclusions DNA methylation may be involved in the modulation of aberrant IGFBP7 gene expression in melanoma,and 5-aza-dc could inhibit the proliferation of A375 and M14 cells.

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmids of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) specific for mouse Bcl-2-assoeiated athanogene 1 (BAG-1) and to observe their inhibitory effects on the expression of BAG-1 gene in mouse melanoma B16FI0 ceils. Methods Plasmids named pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-BAG-1, were designed and constructed to target the mouse BAG-1 mRNA coding region. LipofectaminTM 2000 was used to transfect plasmids into BI6F10 cells. Negative plasmid-transfected and tmtransfected B16F10 cells served as negative and blank controls respectively. Forty-eight hours following transfection, G418 was used to select the resistant cells. The mRNA and protein expression of BAG-1 gene was measured by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot respectively about 1 month after the transfection. Results The eukaryotic expression plasmids, pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-BAG-1, were constructed, and verified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The transfection rate in B16F10 cells was 20% -30%. Compared with the blank control, the mRNA and protein expression of BAG-1 in BI6FI0 cells was significantly inhibited by BAG-1 shRNA (both P<0.05), and the inhibition rates were (77±4)% and (62 ±2)%, respectively. Conclusions These results indicate that the eukaryotic expression vectors containing shRNA against BAG-1 gene, pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-BAG-1, are successfully constructed, and can significantly inhibit the expression of BAG-1 gene in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells.

Objective To demonstrate the visual results and complications of an cryopexy in combination with intravitreal injection of expending gas in the therapy of primary rhegmatogenous retinaldetachment (RRD). Methods Thirty-two cases (32 eyes) were retrospectively reviewed in this study. The RRD diagnosis was confirmed by best corrected visual acuity,slit-lamp microscope,indirected ophthalmoscope and Goldman three-mirror contact lens. All patients had undergone cryopexy with intravitreal gas injection and assisted by correct body position. Patients were followed for 6 to 24 months. Post-operative BCVA,final anatomical outcome, complications and failed cases were analyzed. Results The reattachment rate of cryopexy with intravitreal gas injection was 81%(26/32 eyes). Four eyes required additional scleral buckling. Two eyes needed additional vitrectomy with intravitreal injection of expending gas (SF6).Final retinal reattachment was achieved in all 32 subjects (100%). Postoperative BCVA was significantly improved (P < 0.01). Conclusion Cryopexy with intravitreal gas injection is a simple,less trauma, lower cost and effective surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinaldetachment.

Objective During pregnancy , exosomes can be released from the placenta into maternal circulation and play im-portant roles in normal pregnancy or placenta-related diseases .We aimed to establish a simple and efficient method for isolating and i-dentifying placental exosomes from maternal serum and lay a foundation for the studies of pregnancy -related diseases . Methods Using sucrose gradient centrifugation with 8% PEG6000 precipitation twice , we isolated and purified placenta-derived exosomes from normal maternal serum and detected their molecular markers CD 63 , CD81 and PLAP by Western blot , followed by silver staining anal-ysis of the protein profile of the exosome pellet .We identified the morphology of the placenta-derived exosomes by transmission electron microscopy ( TEM) and measured the size and distribution of the particles by dynamic light scattering ( DLS) . Results Silver stai-ning of the protein profiles of the exosomes after sucrose gradient centrifugation clearly revealed the bands of the protein molecules . Western blot showed the expressions of CD 63, CD81, and PLAP in the 21-34%density layer, which demonstrated the presence of serum placental exosomes mainly in the 1.09-1.16 g/mL density layer.TEM exhibited that the placenta-derived exosomes were round or oval cup-shaped, specifically expressing PLAP, and the particles were uniform in size, with a mean diameter of (41.79 ±11.94) nm. Conclusion A simple, fast, and efficient method was successfully established for isolating placenta-derived exosomes from ma-ternal serum, which provides a basis for studying the roles of placental exosomes in normal pregnancy and placenta -related diseases.

Objective To investigate the effects of different culture conditions on the isolation and expansion of stem cells from second-trimester amniotic fluids.Methods Amniotic fluids were obtained from 15 pregnant women undergone amniocenteses for medical indications between 16-24 gestation weeks by transabdominal amniocenteses from September 2007 to June 2008.Amniotic fluids(10-20 ml)samples were collected and each WaS cultured under different conditions or groups.(1)Low-glucose DMEM(LD) medium supplemented with 10%of fetal bovine serum(group of 10% FBS);(2)LD medium with 20%of FBS(group of 20%FBS);(3)LD medium with 15%of FBS and 4 ng/ml of basic fibroblast growth factor (group of bFGF);(4)LD medium with 10%of FBS as well ag the culture plate coated with gelatin(group of gelatin).The effects of different conditions were evaluated by comparing the number of primary colonies,the cell morphology and the ability of expansion.The isolated stem cells were identified by flow cytometry,RT-PCR and differentiation ability to edipocyte.Resuits (1)The success rates of primary culture of the group of 10%FBS,20%FBS,bFGF and gelatin were 60%,73%,73%and 60% respectively(P>0.05).The numbers of colonies were 0.9±0.5,2.6±1.5,2.9±1.5,1.1±0.8(P<0.01 when group of 10%FBS and gelatin compared with group of 20%FBS and bFGF);among the primary colonies,fibroblast-like colonies accounted for 46%,49%,64%.44%respectively(P>0.05).(2)The second passage cells obtained from all of these four groups could difierentiate into adipocyte after induction.(3)In the group of bFGF,stem cells were isolated from 5 samples and expanded to nearly 107 cells after 5 passages(P<0.01 compared with other groups).(4)Karyotype were normal in all samples.(5)Stem cells from bFGF group showed positive expression of SSEA-4.Oct-4 and Nanog gene detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR.Conclusion Stem cells can be isolated from second-trimester amniotic fluids;moderate serum concentration and supplementation of bFGF can improve the efficiency of isolation and expansion of amniotic fluid of stem cells.