Objective To observe the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHCD) combined with mechanical ventilation on inflammatory response in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)induced by hydrochloric acid(HCl)inhalation. Methods 32 adult healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group,ARDS model group,PHCD group(intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg/kg PHCD at 30 minutes before HCl instillation)and mechanical ventilation group〔mechanical ventilation was given after PHCD treatment,ventilator settings were as follows:tidal volume(VT)=4 mL/kg,respiratory rate(RR)= 70 beats/min,the time ratio of inspiration to expiration(I:E)=1:2,fraction of inspired oxygen concentration(FiO2)=0.21〕,8 rats in each group. The rat ARDS model was created by HCl(0.1 mol/L,1.2 mL/kg) intratracheal instillation. After mechanical ventilation for 4 hours,the experiment was stopped. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)was measured,and the oxygenation index as well as lung wet/dry weight ratio(W/D)were calculated respectively. The pathological changes in lung tissues were observed under light microscope,and the pathological score was evaluated. The levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO),interlukin-8(IL-8)and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)in homogenate of lung tissues were all measured respectively by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In rats of ARDS model group, there were significant infiltration of inflammatory cells, collapse of extensive pulmonary alveoli and hyaline membrane formation in lung tissues,but the edema in pulmonary mesenchymal tissue and congestion of micro vessels were not obvious. Compared with sham operation group,the lung tissue pathological score(9.88±2.03 vs. 1.38±0.92),lung W/D ratio(7.67±0.96 vs. 4.08±0.65)were significantly increased(both P<0.01),while oxygenation index〔mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa):213±29 vs. 428±28〕was markedly decreased in model group(P<0.01);and the concentrations of MPO(μg/L:34.18±3.99 vs. 20.92±1.40), IL-8(ng/L:864±53 vs. 583±91)and NF-κB(ng/L:1 229±133 vs. 803±130)in homogenate of lung tissues were significantly higher in model group(all P<0.01). The pathological changes in lung tissues including inflammatory cell infiltration,collapse of alveoli and pulmonary edema,etc. were obviously improved when treated by PHCD or mechanical ventilation and the lung pathological score and W/D ratio were significantly decreased compared with those of model group,oxygenation index in these two groups were both significantly increased,meanwhile, the concentrations of MPO,IL-8 and NF-κB were sharply decreased when compared with those of model group (all P<0.05). The degree of improvement in all above indexes were greater in mechanical ventilation group than those in PHCD group(lung injury score:5.63±1.85 vs. 7.63±1.67,lung W/D ratio:5.35±1.05 vs. 6.46±1.17, oxygenation index:325±57 vs. 272±44,MPO:25.80±3.36 vs. 29.88±3.93,IL-8:736±53 vs. 802±53, NF-κB:984±75 vs. 1 109±118,all P<0.05),however they did not reach the levels of the sham operation group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion PHCD can inhibit the inflammatory response in ARDS rats induced by HCl inhalation,thus it may protect the lung tissue from injury induced by HCl,and the protective role of PHCD plus menchanical ventilation is superior to that of PHCD only.

AIM: To explore the variation of blood biochemistry and arterial blood gas of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the early time after trauma and improve the diagnosis and first aid. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with trauma from August 2003 to February 2004 were divided into two groups by their AIS-ISS90 score. The data of temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, white blood cell counts, Hb, blood glucose and arterial blood gas (PaO 2, PaCO 2, HCO 3 -, AG) were collected and compared with each group by statistic methods. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients, 49 underwent SIRS, 12 in light trauma group (ISS≥16) and 37 in severe trauma group (ISS45 mmHg or 0 05). 13 patients had MODS in severe trauma group and 2 died while none had MODS or died in light trauma group. CONCLUSION: Application of AIS-ISS90 and SIRS-related blood biochemistry and arterial blood gas is beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment for patients in the early time after trauma. [

Objective:To investigate the short-term and long-term effects of occlusal rehabilitation on the co-contractration patterns of masticatory muscles of patients with extensive tooth wear.Methods: Twenty-nine patients with severe tooth wear were selected and conducted with occlusal rehabilitation.The surface electromyography(EMG) of masseter(MM),anterior temporalis(TA) and posterior temporalis(TP) at rest position,during clenching and chewing were separately recorded in the stage of pre-treatment,1 month after temporary restoration,1 month after permanent restoration and long-term observation(mean 3.5 years).The Asymmetry Indexes(AI) of bilateral muscles,Activity Indexes of MM/TA,MM/TP and TA/TP were compared in each stage.Results:(1) After occlusal rehabilitation,all the AIs of bilateral MM,TA and TP at rest position,during clenching and chewing showed obvious decrements.(2) In every stage of occlusal rehabilitation,all of the Activity Indexes of MM/TA at rest position,during clenching and chewing had no obvious changes.(3) The Activity Indexes of MM/TP and TA/TP during clenching and chewing significantly increased after occlusal rehabilitation.Conclusion: The treatment of occlusal rehabilitation can significantly improve the bilateral symmetry of masticatory muscles in patients with extensive tooth wear,and also change the coordinated EMG activity of different masticatory muscles.

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological consequence of a variety of chronic stimuli, including viral, autoimmune, drug-induced, cholestatic and metabolic diseases. Fibrosis is driven by a dynamic process involving increased synthesis of matrix components and a failure of physiological mechanisms of matrix turnover. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains a central event in fibrosis. HSCs are the main source of extracellular matrix (ECM). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which is the fibrogenic master cytokine, can induce the activation of HSCs to produce a large amount of ECM, and is capable of inducing apoptosis of liver cells. RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel gene disruption technology. Studies have shown that small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TGF-β1 may inhibit the activation and proliferation of HSCs, suppress ECM synthesis and block liver fibrosis. TGF-β1 siRNA-mediated gene silencing therapy provides a new avenue for liver fibrosis. This review summarizes recent progresses in research on HSCs, TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 siRNA in liver fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the possibility and feasibility of the simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with tumor excision in patients suffering from tumor combined with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods:From August 2000 to July 2006, ten patients who were suspected of tumor (four patients suffered from urinary system tumor, two digestive system tumor, and four pulmonary tumor) with coronary artery disease were successfully treated by simultaneous surgeries. Surgical incisions were chose by the different tumor position. All carried on the CABG before tumor excision except one case. The two cases had cardiopulmonary bypass CABG, the rest eight had off-pump CABG. Follow-up was conducted after operation. Results:The combined operations were satisfied. There was no in-hospital mortality, no postoperative hemorrhage, no myocardial ischemia or infarction, with few complications. Postoperative in-hospital stay was 10-34 days, average 22.4 days. All discharged in cure. One patient lost the follow-up. Nine patients were followed up from six months to seven years three months. Two patients died from metastasis, and the others survived with satisfied follow-up without cardiovascular events. Conclusion:The simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting with tumor excision for patients who suffer from either CAD with benign or malignant tumor is safe and feasible with satisfied short-and long-term survival.

Objective To explore the role of miR-20a on pulmonary surfactant synthesis of alveolar epithelial cells A549 and its potential mechanism.Methods Lentivirus miR-20a overexpression vector(miR-20a group) or lentivirus no-load vector(no-load group) was transfected into A549 cells,and the expression of green fluorescent protein(GFP) was observed to determinate the transfection effficiency;cell proliferation was detected by using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT);the bioinformatics software and database were applied to predict and analyze the target genes of miR-20a about lung development;expressions of miR-20a,pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A(SP-A),pulmonary surfactant-associated protein B(SP-B),pulmonary surfactant-associated protein C(SP-C) and pulmonary surfactant-associated protein D(SP-D) mRNA were detected by using quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR);the expressions of SP-A protein,SP-B protein,SP-C protein,SP-D protein and protein signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) were detected by using Western blot.Results Observation of GFP expression under a fluorescent microscope indicated similar transfection efficiency,and real time-PCR showed that the expression of miR-20a increased after being transfected with lentivirus miR-20a overexpression vector(3.85 ± 0.18)compared with the normal group (0.99 ± 0.04)and the no-load group (1.21 ± 0.12),and the differences were significant(t =10.85,9.64,all P ＜0.001).As a result,lentivirus miR-20a overexpression vector was constructed successfully.Online software predicted that STAT3 gene was likely to be the target gene of miR-20a.Compared with the normal group (24 h,48 h,72 h:0.23 ± 0.01,0.39 ± 0.01,0.56 ± 0.03) and the no-load group (24 h,48 h,72 h:0.25 ± 0.01,0.44 ± 0.05,0.59 ± 0.01),miR-20a did not change the cell proliferation at different time points(24 h,48 h,72 h:0.26 ± 0.01,0.41 ± 0.02,0.58 ± 0.02) (all P ＞ 0.05).Compared with the normal group (1.00 ± 0.05,1.24 ± 0.20,1.31 ± 0.09,0.89 ± 0.12) and the no-load group (0.76 ± 0.10,1.31 ± 0.13,1.50 ± 0.11,1.01 ± 0.11),miR-20a up-regulated the mRNA expressions of SP-A,SP-B,SP-C and SP-D (2.05 ± 0.17,2.14 ± 0.10,2.84 ± 0.09,1.66 ± 0.08),and the differences were significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the normal group (0.46 ± 0.01,0.27 ± 0.03,0.69 ± 0.01,0.43 ± 0.01) and no-load group (0.43 ± 0.01,0.21 ± 0.01,0.79 ± 0.02,0.44 ± 0.02),miR-20a also increased the protein expressions of SP-A,SP-B,SP-C and SP-D (0.55 ±0.01,0.47 ±0.05,0.96 ±0.02,0.59 ±0.03),the diffe-rences were statistically significant (all P ＜0.05).The expression of STAT3 in miR-20a group(0.37 ±0.05) was significantly lower than that in the normal group(0.60 ±0.04) and the no-load group (0.68 ±0.06),and the differences were statstically significant (all P ＜ 0.05) in A549.Conclusions STAT3 is a downstream target gene of miR-20a.miR-20a can promote pulmonary surfactant synthesis of alveolar epithelial cells A549 by inhibiting STAT3.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of splenectomy on the intestine mucosa barrier in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods50 Wistar rats were divided randomly into the obstructive jaundice group (OJ), in which the animals underwent operation to ligate common bile duct, and the obstructive jaundice + splenectomy group (OJ+ S). Seven days post-operation, plasma endotoxin levels were detected. Intestinal mucosa permeability was measured by the ratios of lactulose and mannitol (L/M). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to examine the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) in the distal ileum mucosa. Western blots images were analyzed quantitatively. ResultsAverage ratios of L/M and plasma endotoxin were decreased obviously in the OJ+S group compared to those in the OJ group (all P=0. 001). Compared with the OJ group, the average intestinal villus height and mucosa thickness were upgraded somewhat in the OJ + S group (P = 0.019, 0. 001 ). By immunohistochemistry staining seven days post-operation, same comment as above the amounts of strong positive expression of ZO-1 were significantly decreased in the OJ group (6/18, P-0. 021). There wewas no difference between the OJ+S group(8/17) and the OJ group.The amount of strong positive expression of occludin was higher in the OJ + S group than that of the OJ group(10/17 vs 4/18, P= 0. 026). The same outcomes were obtained by quantitative Western blot images. Conclusion The intestinal epithelial permeability was increased in rats with obstructive jaundice,and intestinal barrier was damaged. After excising spleen, the amount and distribution of tight junction proteins were changed and the impairment of intestinal barrier was abated.

Objective To express and purify recombinant and biologically active Clostridium difficile toxin B (rTcdB). Methods The genes of TcdB were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using chromosomal DNA from a toxigenic strain, and cloned into a shuttle vector pHis1522.The sequences of TcdB genes in the vector were verified by DNA sequencing. The construction was transformed into Bacillus megaterium protoplasts and the protein expression was driven by a xylose promoter. The purified protein was tested for biological activity. Results rTcdB was successfully purified from bacterial crude extracts. Approximately 5-10 mg of highly purified recombinant toxin was obtained from one liter of bacterial culture. The expressed rTcdB had molecular mass similar to the native toxin, and its biological activity was proved to be similar to its native counterpart after an extensive examination. Conclusion rTcdB with biological activities is successfully expressed in Bacillus megaterium.

The somatostatin analogue pasireotide is a new type of protein which is the first therapeutic agent targeted to the pituitary.Pasireotide can prevent adrenocorticotropic hormone release and inhibit the growth of tumor cells after coupling with somatostatin receptor of the target cell membranes.Pasireotide has a high binding affinity for most of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes and in particular for SSTR5.Pasireotide can paly an important role in the new round of new targets for individualized diagnosis and treatment of tumors through the studies of translational medicine.

BACKGROUND:Preliminary experiments have reported the influence of serum and nerve growth factor on olfactory ensheathing cells proliferation in vitro, but there are less studies concerning choice of serum concentration and growth time for in vitro culture of olfactory ensheathing cells.
OBJECTIVE:To find out the influence of different blood serum concentration and growth time on olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa of adult rats based on the growth curve of olfactory ensheathing cells.
METHODS:The olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa of adult rats were separated, culture and identified in vitro. Sulforhodamine B and microplate reader were employed to measure absorbance values and plot growth curve of olfactory ensheathing cells.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:When cultured for the same time in blood serum of different concentrations, absorbance values, especial y in the groups 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, tended to increase with time except the 0%group. When cultured in the same serum for different time, absorbance values increased within the first 9 days, then promoted rapidly in the groups 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%at 13 days, entered the plateau phase at 19 days, and decreased at 23 days;meanwhile, in the other groups (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%) the absorbance values peaked at the 13th day and then decreased gradual y. These findings indicate that different serum concentrations and different growth time in vitro affect cellgrowth and survival of olfactory ensheathing cells significantly, which should be ful y considered when cells are cultured in an in vitro condition.