Objective To investigate the effect of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on the healing of skin ulcers using Balb/c mice. Methods Wounds with a diameter 6 mm were created on each side of the backs of BalB/c mice ( n = 150) using a punch bioptome. The mice were assigned randomly into a control group ( wounds healed naturally), a laser group (wounds treated with a He-Ne laser for 10 min daily) and a CAP group (wounds treated with CAP for 10 min daily). Wound healing was evaluated on postoperative days (PODs) 4, 7, 10 and 14 in terms of percent wound closure. Ten mice per group were sacrificed on each of the evaluation days. Both wounds were removed and a histological examination was conducted. A scoring system was used to evaluate the wounds. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in the wounded tissue was detected by using immunohistochemical methods on POD 7. The results were quantified using an HPIAS-1000 system. Results Compared with the control group, the average percentage of wound healing was significantly greater in the CAP group on PODs 7 and 10. The average scores on the histological examination were significantly higher in the CAP group on PODs 7, 10 and 14. Compared with the other two groups, the expression of VEGF was up-regulated significantly in the CAP group.Conclusions CAP can positively affect the wound healing process. This might be related to the up-regulation of VEGF in the wounded tissues.

Objective Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the main pathogens of community-acquired pneumonia in children and teenagers , which may cause mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia ( MPP) .Atelectasis is one of the most common manifestations of MPP.The aim of the article was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy ( FB) in children with MPP associated with atelectasis . Methods Retrospective analysis were made on clinical data and FB records of 99 cases of hospitalized children with MPP associated with atelectasis from August 2010 to December 2012 . Results The positive rate of MP-DNA was 92.9%(92/99) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the positive rate of MP-Ab-IgM in serum was 68.7%(68/99).All pa-tients showed obviously bronchial mucosa congestive edema during FB examination .The results are as follows:bronchial phlegm bloc-king in 31 cases (31.3%), lumen inflammatory stenosis in 22 cases (22.2%),mucosal ulcer change in 7 cases(7.1%) and mucous nodular change in 3 cases (3.0%).4 weeks after being treated with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), only 3 cases remained in atelec-tasis, the partial and complete re-expansion rate reaching 96.5%(82 of 85). Conclusion The positive rate of BALF MP-DNA de-tection technology for the diagnosis of MP infection is higher than that of serum MP-Ab-IgM examination .Early interventional therapy by FB can shorten the course of disease and promote the lung re-expansion in children with MPP associated with atelectasis .

Objective To evaluate the effects of progesterone on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated inflammatory responses to gonococcal infection. Methods Peripheral neutrophils were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood obtained from normal individuals, then divided into 4 groups: progesterone group (pretreated with progesterone only), gonococcus group (stimulated with gonococcal suspension), intervention group (pretreated with progesterone followed by stimuation with gonococcal suspension), and control group (receiving no pretreatment or stimulation). Real-time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)in neutrophils from all groups at 0, 3, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the last treatment, and iNOS protein levels were measured by Western-blot in gonococcus group and intervention group. Results Real-time RT-PCR indicated that the expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA increased in gonococcus group and intervention group, and reached their peak at 8 hours in gonococcus group, while no significant changes were noted in the above parameters in progesterone group or control group. Also, the level of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA was lower in intervention group than that in the gonococcus group (P ＜ 0.05). Western blot showed an elevation in iNOS protein expression in both gonococcus group and intervention group, and the former group was higher than the latter group in the parameter (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Progesterone can downregulate the expressions of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1 β by PMNs, inhibit the PMN-induced inflammatory responses induced by gonococcal infection, which is likely to be associated with the asymptomatic gonococcal infection in women.

In this study, the sterilizing effect of atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasmas (APNPs) on Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) was preliminarily examined and the possible mechanisms were explored. N. gonorrhoeae FA1090, FA19 and MS11 were treated by APNPs and their survival rate was analyzed by using CFUs counting and structurally studied by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The morphological changes of bacterial cell membrane and wall were studied under TEM. Our results showed that APNPs had strong sterilizing effect on N. gonorrhoeae. The survival rate of MS11 in N. gonorrhoeae liquid medium was 60.65% after disinfection with the APNPs for 5 min, whereas, the survival rate of FA19 was 92.60% and the rate of FA1090 was 96.40%. The survival rate of MS11 was 21.13% after exposure to APNPs for 6 min, whereas the survival rate of FA19 was 31.60% and the rate of FA1090 was 91.00%. N. gonorrhoeae was structurally damaged after treatment with APNPs. It is concluded that APNPs is able to effectively and quickly kill the N. gonorrhoeae, and the killing effect is related to the architectural damage of cell membrane.

Objective To study the relationship of symptoms of female gonococcal infections to Chlamydia trachomatis infection, serum sex hormone levels, etc. Methods A total of 136 gonorrhea female patients without obvious symptoms were recruited in this study together with 45 gonorrhea patients with obvious symptoms as the controls. Serum progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) levels were measured by radio immunoassay (RIA). Cervical swabs were obtained from the subjects and eluted into isotonic saline solution, the elution was divided into 2 portions and tested for the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β by ELISA and for the DNA of C. Trachomatis and N. Gonorrhea with PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS for Windows (version 12.0). Results There was no statistical correlation between C. Trachomatis infection and asymptomatic status of female gonococcal infection (χ2 = 0.016, P > 0.05). However, the decrease in the level of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly correlated with the increase in serum progestogen (r = -0.8798, -0.8935, respectively, both P < 0.01). Conclusion The high serum level of progesterone may be associated with the asymptomatic status of gonococcal infection.

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant murine interleukin-23(rIL-23)on systemic candidiasis in a murine model.Methods A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed murine model of systemic candidiasis was established.The mice were divided into control group and rIL-23 treatment group.Colony forming units(CFU)of the kidney and spleen were determined by using plating dilution method.The histopathological changes and degree of infection of the kidney and spleen were graded.Meanwhile,the levels of interferon gamma(IFN-γ)in the spleen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results On the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after Candida albicans infection the number of CFU of the fungi in the kidney in the control group was significantly greater than that in rIL-23 treatment group(P＜0.01).The number of CFU of the fungi on the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after Candida albicans infection in the spleen in control group was also greater than that in rIL-23 treatment group,but without statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).The scores of histopathological changes in the kidney in rIL-23 treatment group were lower than those in control group(P＜0.01),and the degree of infection was milder in rIL-23 treatment group.The scores of histopathological changes in the spleen in rIL-23 treatment group were also lower than those in control group,but without statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).The levels of IFN-γ in the spleen on the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after infection in rIL-23 treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion rIL-23 has protective effect on murine systemic candidiasis.

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in brain tissues of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.Methods One hundred and twenty 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 12-16 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),isoflurane group (group I),hypoxicischemic brain injury group (group HIBI),and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury + isoflurane postconditioning group (group HI).To establish hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model in the neonatal rats,the left common carotid artery ligation was carried out,and then the rats were exposed to 8％ O2 + 92％ N2 at 37 ℃ for 2 h in HIBI and HI groups.The rats inhaled 1.5 ％ isoflurane for 30 min after the model was established in group HI.The rats only inhaled 1.5％ isoflurane for 30 min in group I.At 24 h after the model was established,10 rats taken out randomly in each group were sacrificed and brains were removed to detect mPTP opening.At 7 days after the model was established,the survival rate was recorded in the rest rats.The rats were then sacrificed and brains were removed and the right and left cerebral hemispheres were weighed separately,and the ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres was calculated.The density of normal neurons in ventral posterior inferior thalamic nucleus and hippocampal CA3 region in the left and right cerebral hemispheres were measured and the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were calculated.Results There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the four groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group S,the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere,weight of left cerebral hemisphere,and ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres were significantly decreased,and mPTP opening was increased in group HIBI (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group I (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group HIBI,the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere,weight of left cerebral hemisphere,and ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres were significantly increased,and mPTP opening was decreased in group HI (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which isoflurane postconditioning reduces hypoxic-ischemic brain injury may be related to inhibition of mPTP opening in brain tissues of neonatal rats.

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on long-term cognitive function of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI).Methods Sixty 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 12-16 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =15 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group Ⅰ),isoflurane postconditioning group (group Ⅱ),cerebral hypoxia-ischemia group (group Ⅲ),and isoflurane postconditioning after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia group (group Ⅳ).Brain ischemia was induced by permanent ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by inhalation of 8 ％ O2-92 ％ N2 for 2 h at 37 ℃ in Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups.In Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups,the left common carotid artery was only isolated but not ligated.The rats inhaled 1.5％ isoflurane in 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 30 min starting from 2 h of hypoxia in Ⅱ and Ⅳ groups.The rats were exposed to 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 30 min in Ⅰ and Ⅲ groups.Morris water maze test was carried out at 30-35 days after HIBI.The escape latency,swimming speed,swimming distance,the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,the percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant and the percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant were recorded.The animals were sacrificed after Morris water maze test.The density of normal neurons in ventral posterior inferior thalamic nucleus and hippocampal CA3 region in left and right cerebral hemisphere was measured and the ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere was calculated.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 30-34 days after HIBI in group Ⅲ and at 31 and 34 days after HIBI in Ⅳ group,the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were decreased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅲ,no significant changes were found in the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,and percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and the ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere was decreased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅳ,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group Ⅱ.Compared with group Ⅲ,the escape latency was significantly shortened at 31-34 days after HIBI,and the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were increased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅳ.There was no significant difference in the swimming speed and swimming distance at day 35 after HIBI between groups.Conclusion Isoflurane postconditioning can improve long-term cognitive function of neonatal rats with HIBI.

0.99). DC: reproducibility was good for neutrophils, lymphocytes monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Comparison of the results by instrument with manual for normal samples in morphology, the correlation was better for neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils (r:0.968～0.983) ,good for monocytes(r=0.917), not good for basophils(r=0.659);The WBC scattergram would change and alarm flags would display when there are neutrophilic stab granulocytes, abnormal or atypical lymphocytes and immature cells in higher proportion.Conclusions The analyzer can be used to test blood cell parameters accurately and reliably. Its main performance indices accorded with the experimental requirements; The results were credible. It is necessary to check with microscopy for DC before reported when it were doubtted.

To identify the genomic species of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, evaluate the difference between two molecular epidemiological methods and examine the relationship between sex partners and genotypes of bacteria, 24 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from the outpatients with gonorrhea were identified by using the Opa genotyping and NG-MAST genotyping and the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes was studied. Twenty-four strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae fell into 10 ST genotypes by NG-MAST genotyping, whereas these strains were classified into 12 OT Opa genotypes by Opa genotyping. A new epidemic strain of ST genotype (217-86% homologisation 178) in China was identified. It is concluded that genotypes of each pair of strains from a pair of patient/ sex partner besides 45/46 are the same, indicating that contagious infection take place between patient and the sex partner. Opa genotyping was more effective than NG-MAST genotyping in identifying the genomic species of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. ST genotype could be further classified into different Opa-types.