Objective;To examine the correlation between A-type personality and time management disposition of normal college Students.Methods;Time Management Disposition Scale and the Scale of A-type Personality were administered to a sample of 526 college students.Results;Analysis showed significant positive correlation between A-type personality and time management disposition in college students(P

Objective To explore the significance of the plasma procalcitonin (PCT) level for directing antibiotic therapy in elderly patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods The 50 elderly patients with VAP were randomly separated into the regular therapy group and the PCT-directed therapy group. The regular therapy group was given regular antibiotic therapy, while the antibiotic therapy was decided according to the plasma level of PCT in the PCT-directed therapy group. The used time and utilization rate of antibiotics, as well as inflammatory indicators including white blood cells, neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, there were no significant differences in white blood cells, neutrophils and CRP between the PCT-directed therapy group and regular therapy group [(8.9 ± 3.5 ) × 109/L vs. (9.4 ± 3.7) × 109/L, 0.62 ± 0.04 vs.0.60±0.04, (18.7±8.5) mg/Lvs. (21.6±6.0) mg/L, t=0.47, 1.84 and 1.37, allP＞0.05],but the CPIS was markedly lower in PCT-directed therapy group than in regular therapy group [(4.0± 1.4) scores vs. (4.7± 1.0) scores, t= 2. 18, P＜0.05]. The neutrophils, CRP and CPIS were significantly lower after treatment than before in the both groups. The concentration of PCT was decreased after treatment than before [(0.5 ± 0.9) mg/L vs. (1.7 ± 0.7) mg/L]. Meanwhile, the time using antibiotics was longer in regular treatment group than in PCT-directed therapy group [(8.72±1.32) d vs. (5.17±0.72) d, t=11.96, P＜0.01], the utilization rate of antibiotics was higher (95.2 % vs. 55.2 %, χ2 = 12.41, P＜0.01) in regular treatment group. Conclusions Using PCT levels for directing treatment in elderly patients with VAP can achieve better curative effect and reduce the use of antibiotics.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on mortality in elderly patient with severe sepsis or septic shock. Method Eighty-three elderly patients meeting with criteria of severe sepsis or septic shock by the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) in 2001, admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Zhejiang Hospital during May 2004 to June 2007, were enrolled, and patients with chronic renal failure were excluded. The patients were divided into survivor and non - survivor group according to whether they survived within 28 days staying in ICU, the difference of plasma BNP level,serum C-creative protein (CRP) concentration, APACHE II and SOFA scores on admission day and BNP level on the third day between the two groups were compared; thereafter, the relationship between muhiple variables including age, admission day, BNP, CRP, APACHE 11 and SOFA scores, the 3rd day BNP level and 28-day mortality were analyzed by Logistic regression, and meanwhile the independent predictors for ICU moaality among which were determined. Results BNP levels on both admission day and the 3rd day were significantly higher in nomurvivor group than those in survivor group[ ( 1056.38±676.34) pg/ml vs. (611.59±610.02) pg/ml,p =0.002 and (1448.48+891.11) pg/ml vs. (522.41±575.20) pg/ml, P<0.001, respectively]. By Logistic regression analysis, BNP level on the 3rd day and SOFA score on admission day were independent predictors of ICU mortality, The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that values of areas under the curve of the admission day and the 3rd day BNP levels for 28-days mortality were 0.735 (95% CI,0. 621～0. 848, P <0.001) andO.836 (95% CI, 0.746～0,926,P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Plasma BNP inereaseds in majority of eldedy patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, which may serve as irdex for prognosis in elderly severe septic paients.

Aim: To explore the in situ intestinal absorption in rats of ZLR-8, an insoluble NO-donor drug, and to compare the intestinal absorption enhancement by spray-dried emulsion. Methods: Intestine of rats was cannulat-ed for in situ perfusion. UV and HPLC methods were used to monitor phenolsulfonphthalein and ZLR-8, respec-tively. The effects on ZLR-8 absorption of the intestinal segments, the concentration of ZLR-8 and the pH of the circulating perfusate were studied. The absorption of ZLR-8 suspension was compared to that of the spray-dried emulsion. Results: 1-h in situ intestinal perfusion of the spray-dried emulsion allowed the estimation of the absor-tion percentage to be (23. 54 ± 1. 40) %, (15. 95 ± 0. 09) %, (12. 30 ± 0. 74) %, (3. 98 ± 0. 12) %, respec-tively; the absorption rate constants in duodenum, colon, jejunum and ileum to be (0.248 6 ±0.046 0) h~(-1), (0. 143 7 ±0. 036 0) h~(-1), (0. 069 2 ±0. 001 3) h~(-1), (0. 020 8 ±0. 000 4) h~(-1), respectively. Significant differ-ences in absorption characteristics were found among intestinal segments. In the range of 3. 4-9. 4, pH of the per-fuate had significant influence on the absorption of ZLR-8, and better absorption appeared at pH of 5. 4 to 7. 4. It was found that the absorption rate constant was unaffected by ZLR-8 concentration. However, the absorption amount was proportional to ZLR-8 concentration. Compared to the ZLR-8 suspension, the in situ intestinal absorption of ZLR-8 in rats given the spray-dried emulsion increased significantly. Conclusion: It was only found that ZLR-8 administered in suspension has minor absorption in rat duodenum while no apparent absorption occurred in other segemnts. ZLR-8 in spray-dried emulsion was fairly absorbed in the rat intestinal segments. Passive diffusion was invloved in the absorption of ZLR-8. Spray-dried emulsion significantly enhanced the intestinal absorption of ZLR-8 in rats.

Objective To study the activation of alveolar macrophage β (AM) and the expression of co-stimulatory molecule CD40 in transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) model in order to illustrate the pathogenesis of TRALI.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into normal control group (n =15) with sham operation using normal saline instead of LPS and plasma,positive control group (n =15) with ALI induced by intravenous infusion of 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in equivalent volume of whole blood drawn out),and TRALI group (n =15) treated by intra-peritoneal injection of 2 mg/kg LPS 2 h before the transfusion of human plasma (1 mL whole blood about 10％ of total blood volume drawn out and replaced with 1 mL plasma),LPS control group (n =15) treated by intra-peritoneal injection of 2 mg/kg LPS 2 h before saline infusion in equivalent volume of blood drawn out.The pathologic changes of rat lung tissue were observed by HE staining.The expression of TLR4 was examined by RT-PCR.The activation of NF-κB in AM was measured by electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA).The expression of CD40 mRNA and CD40 molecule were analyzed by Northern blot and flow cytometry respectively.ELISA was performed to detect the concentration of TNF-α,MIP-2 and IL-1 β in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF).Results Broken alveolar septa,hyperemia,and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells including the neutrophils were observed in lung tissues of TRALI group.The expression of TLR4 gene was detected in activated macrophage phi (AMφ) of TRALI group rats.The activation of NF-κB was increased in TRALI group rats.The expression of CD40 in AMφ was higher in rats of TRALI group than that in rats of control group and LPS control group.The concentration of TNF-αt,MIP-2 and IL-1β were enhanced significantly in BALF of TRALI group rats.Conclusion The activation of AM and up-regulation of costimulatory molecule CD40 induced release of some inflammatory cytokines.It suggested that AM activation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TRALI.

Objective To study the quantity change and significance of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells(MDSCs) in patients withpost‐traumaticmultipleorgandysfunctionsyndrome(MODS).Methods 66patientswithMODS,34patientswithnon‐system‐ic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS)and 37 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study .Peripheral blood was collected and CD14-CD11b+ CD33+ were used as markers of MDSCs .The percentage of MDSCs was determined by flow cytometry and serum interleukin‐10(IL‐10) and tumor necrosis factor‐α(TNF‐α) levels were determined by ELISA .The MODS scoring system was used to assess patients′disease severity .The relationship was analyzed between MDSCs and TNF‐αand MODS score .Results The per‐centage of MDSCs in peripheral blood of healthy volunteers was(1 .18 ± 0 .22)% .after MODS ,the percentage of MDSCs in periph‐eral blood was(11 .84 ± 2 .18)% and(6 .52 ± 0 .37)% in patients with non‐MODS ,the percentages of MDSCs in three groups showed significant differences(P<0 .05) .Serum IL‐10 and TNF‐αin patients with MODS group and non‐MODS group were signif‐icant differences(P<0 .05) .The correlation was found between MDSCs percentage in peripheral blood and MODS score and TNF‐α(r=0 .342 6 ,0 .387 9 respectively ,P<0 .05) .Conclusion The increase proportion of MDSCs in peripheral blood correlates with the onset of infection in patients with MODS ,indicating that the expansion of MDSCs in peripheral blood may play important roles in immune dysfunction after MODS .

Objective To investigate the effects of miRNA-146a on the differentiations and functions of CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Metbods Thirty patients with psoriasis vulgaris and twenty heathy subjects were enrolled in this study.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miRNA-146a in CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood samples.The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in serum samples were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood samples by using Ficoll-Hypaque density-gradients centrifugation,from which the CD4+ T lymphocytes were separated by magnetic-activated cell sorting.The CD4+ T cells (2× 106/ml) were seeded in culture plates with 6 wells.The CD4+ T lymphocytes were divided into 3 groups including the control group,miRNA-146a group and miRNA-146a inhibitor group.The numbers of Th1 and Th2 cells were measured by flow cytometry analysis (FACS).The expression of IFN-γRα,T-bet and GATA-3 at mRNA and protein levels were measured by using RT-PCR and Western blot assay,respectively.The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in culture supernatants of CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected by using ELISA.Results In comparison with the normal control group,there were significant increases in the expression of miRNA-146a in CD4+ T lymphocytes and the level of IFN-γin serum samples from patients with psoriasis vulgaris [(2.43±0.94) vs (1.05±0.23),(27.69±7.64) ng/L vs (9.75±2.81) ng/L,all P＜0.01].A positive correlation between the expression of miRNA-146a and the level of IFN-γ in serum was observed (r=0.837,P＜0.01).Results of the in vitro culture of CD4+ T lymphocytes showed that the number of Th1 cells,the expression of T-bet at mRNA and protein levels and the level of IFN-γin culture supernatant were significantly increased,while the expression of IFN-γRα protein was decreased in the miRNA-146a group in comparison with those of the control group (all P＜0.01).No significant differences in the number of Th2 cells,the expression of GATA-3 protein,the expression of GATA-3 and IFN-γRα at mRNA level and the level of IL-4 in culture supernatants were found between the control and miRNA-146a groups (all P＞0.05).The miRNA-146a inhibitor could effectively attenuate the effects of miRNA-146a on Th1 cells.Conclusion The miRNA-146a could promote the differentiation and enhance the function of Th1 cells.It might play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

Objective To evaluate changes of Rho kinase (ROK)activity in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), and to analyze their clinical significance. Methods Eight milliliters of heparin-anticoagulated blood samples were collected from 60 patients with AD and 60 healthy human controls followed by separation of T lymphocytes and sera from these blood samples as well as culture of isolated T lymphocytes with 10% fetal bovine serum for 24 hours. Both patient- and control-derived T lymphocytes were classified into two groups to be cultured with patient- or control-derived sera. In addition, some patient-derived T lymphocytes were classified into 4 groups:Y27632 group treated with the Rho kinase-specific inhibitor Y2763, CD3/CD28 group treated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies, Y27632 + CD3/CD28 group treated with Y27632 and anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies, and control group treated with patient-derived sera. Subsequently, Western-blot analysis was performed to evaluate ROK activity in cells, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay to evaluate proliferative activity of T lymphocytes, and ELISA to measure interleukin 6 (IL-6)and IL-10 levels in supernatants of T lymphocytes. Results ROK activity was significantly lower in fresh T lymphocytes from patients than in those from healthy controls (2.47% ± 0.89% vs. 0.65% ± 0.35%, t =2.729, P < 0.05). After 24-hour culture with 10% fetal bovine serum in vitro, ROK activity was significantly decreased in patient-derived T lymphocytes compared with those before culture (0.70% ± 0.38% vs. 2.47% ± 0.89%, t = 2.658, P <0.05), but no significant difference was observed between patient- and control-derived T lymphocytes(0.70% ± 0.38% vs. 0.63% ± 0.32%, t = 1.010, P > 0.05). Compared with T lymphocytes cultured with control-derived sera, those cultured with patient-derived sera showed significantly increased ROK activity (F = 8.22, P < 0.001). Concretely speaking, ROK activity was significantly higher in patient-derived T lymphocytes cultured with patient-derived sera than in those cultured with control-derived sera (2.41% ± 0.87% vs. 0.76% ± 0.41%, P < 0.05), and higher in control-derived T lymphocytes cultured with patient-derived sera than in those cultured with control-derived sera(2.17% ± 0.85% vs. 0.64% ± 0.33%, P< 0.05)at 24 hours. Y27632 could significantly inhibit the proliferation of as well as secretion of IL-6 (F = 18.68, 22.95, respectively, both P < 0.001)by patient-derived T lymphocytes, but had insignificant effects on secretion of IL-10. The cellular proliferative activity and IL-6 supernatant level were significantly lower in the Y27632 group than in the control group, and lower in the Y27632 + CD3/CD28 group than in the CD3/CD28 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Aberrant activation of ROK exists in T lymphocytes from patients with AD, which may play a certain role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Objective To evaluate regulatory effects of miRNA-146a on peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocytes from patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and to investigate the role of miRNA-146a in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods Totally, 30 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 30 healthy human controls were enrolled into this study. Venous blood samples were obtained from these subjects, and CD4 + T lymphocytes were isolated from these samples by using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR)was performed to measure the expression of miRNA-146a in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to determine plasma levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ)and interleukin 4(IL-4). Some CD4+ T lymphocytes were divided into 3 groups to be transfected with 50 nmol/L negative control miRNA (control group), miRNA-146a mimics(miRNA-146a group)or miRNA-146a inhibitor (miRNA-146a inhibitor group). After 24-hour additional culture, flow cytometry was conducted to determine the number of Th1 and Th2 cells, Western-blot analysis and RT-PCR were performed to measure the protein and mRNA expressions of IFN-γ receptor α (IFN-γRα), T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet)and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3)respectively, and ELISA was carried out to determine the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in supernatants of CD4 + T lymphocytes. Results Compared with the healthy control group, the patient group showed significantly increased miRNA-146a expression in peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocytes (243.81% ± 94.32% vs. 105.74% ± 22.93%, t = 6.653, P < 0.01)and plasma IFN-γ level (27.69 ± 7.64 ng/L vs. 9.75 ± 2.81 ng/L, t = 4.237, P <0.01). Moreover, miRNA-146a expression was positively correlated with plasma IFN-γ level in the patients(r = 0.837, P <0.01). After 24-hour culture in vitro, there was a significant increase in the number of Th1 cells, protein and mRNA expressions of T-bet, and supernatant level of IFN-γ, but a significant decrease in the protein expression of IFN-γRα in the miRNA-146a group compared with the control group (all P < 0.01). However, no significant differences were observed in the number of Th2 cells, mRNA or protein expressions of GATA-3, or supernatant level of IL-4 among the control group,miRNA-146a group and miRNA-146a inhibitor group (all P > 0.05). Conclusion miRNA-146a may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris by participating in the regulation of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes via affecting Th1 cell differentiation and function.

Objective To estimate the activity of the phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway in peripheral blood T cells from patients with atopic dermatitis (AD),and to investigate its clinical significance.Methods T cells were isolated by using the Rosettsep T cell purification kit from the peripheral blood of 38 patients with AD and 38 healthy human controls,and classified into several groups to be treated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody,anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody,and LY294002 (an inhibitor of PI3K) respectively.The activity of PI3K signaling pathway in T cells was estimated by immunoprecipitation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of total Akt and phosphorylated Akt in T cells,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to examine the proliferation of T cells,and ELISA to determine the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10.Results The activity of PI3K and Akt was significantly higher in freshly isolated patient-derived T cells than in control-derived T cells (both P ＜ 0.05).However,the difference in the activity of PI3K and Akt between patient-derived and control-derived T cells disappeared (both P ＞ 0.05) after 24-hour in vitro culture.The activity of PI3K and Akt in control-derived T cells was significantly increased after 24-hour incubation with sera from the patients with AD (both P ＜ 0.05).In addition,compared with patient-derived T cells treated with patients' sera or anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibody alone,those treated with the combination of LY294002 and patients' sera or anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibody showed a significant decrease in the proliferative activity (63％ ± 11％ vs.123％ ± 25％,125％ ± 22％ vs.195％ ± 28％,both P＜ 0.05),supematant levels of IL-6 ((168 ± 33) vs.(265 ± 46) ng/L,(431 ± 64) vs.(823 ± 128) ng/L,both P＜ 0.05) and IL-10 ((56 ± 14) vs.(98 ± 25) ng/L,(120 ± 21) vs.(213 ± 35) ng/L,both P＜ 0.05).Eczema area and severity index (EASI) was unassociated with the activity of PI3K or Akt in fresh T cells from patients with AD (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The PI3K signaling pathway is abnormally activated in peripheral blood T cells from patients with AD,which is associated with the proliferation of,as well as secretion of cytokines by,T cells,suggesting that there exist serum factors activating this pathway in peripheral blood of patients with AD.