Objective To investigate the relationship between interaction of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), cytochrome P450 oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7B1) and estrogen receptor (ER) and intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnant rats. Methods Eighty clean SD pregnant rats were selected and divided into four groups randomly with 20 in each. Since the 13th day of pregnancy,rats in the control group was injected subcutaneously with refined vegetable oil 2.0 ml · kg-1 · d -1 , those in the low-dose, moderate-dose and high-dose groups received 17-α-ethynylestradiol (EE) 1.0 mg · kg-1 · d-1,1.25 mg · kg-1 · d-1 and 1.5 mg · kg-1 · d-1, respectively. All rats were sacrificed at the 21at day of pregnancy and maternal hepatic tissues were collected. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bile acid (TBA) and bilirubin (BIL) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of PPARα, CYP7B1, Erα and Erβ in maternal rat livers were examined by real-time PCR. Results (1) Biochemical indicators: the serum levels of ALT,AST, TBA and BIL were significantly lower in the control group than in the rest 3 groups,respectively [ control group: (41.1 ± 2.8 ) U/L, (44.4 ± 3.6) U/L, (26.4 ± 5.6 ) μmol/L and( 2.8 ± 0.2)U/L;low-dose group: (48.2 ±3.4) U/L,(47.9 ±3.7) U/L,(36.4 ±4.2) μmol/L and (4.2 ±0.2) U/L;moderate-dose group: (70.4 ± 5.3 ) U/L, (68.4 ± 5.6) U/L, (64.3 ± 3.8 ) μmol/L and ( 6.2 ± 1.2)U/L; high-dose group: (72.4 ±7.6) U/L, (70.2 ±3.8) U/L, (72.4 ±7.8) μmol/L and (8.2 ±2.2)U/L, P<0.05], and those in the moderate or high-dose groups were higher than in the low-dose group (P<0.05). (2) mRNA expression of Erα and Erβ: the mRNA expression of Erα in pregnant rat livers increased in a dose-dependent manner, which were all significantly higher than that in the control group,respectively ( low-dose group: 0.76 ± 0.02 ); moderate -dose group: ( 0.99 ± 0.04; high-dose group:1.21 ±0.01 ;control group:0.65 ±0.01, P <0.05), but no difference was found among the 4 groups in the mRNA expression of Erβ ( P > 0.05 ). (3) mRNA expression of CYP7B1 and PPARα: the mRNA expression of CYP7B1 in pregnant rat livers increased from the low-dose group to the high-dose group, and were all higher than that of the control group ( low-dose group: 0.93 ± 0.01; moderate-dose group: 0.99 ±0.06; high-dose group: 1.22 ± 0.04; control group: 0.75 ± 0.02, P < 0.05 ). However, the mRNA expression of PPARα decreased from the low-dose group to the high-dose group, and were all lower than that of the control group (low-dose group: 0.83 ± 0.05; moderate-dose group: 0.71 ± 0.02; high-dose group:0.64 ± 0.03; control group: 1.35 ± 0. 05; P < 0.05 ) . Conclusions The down regulated mRNA expression of PPARα, caused by higher dose of estrogen, may increase the expression of CYP7B1 due to the ineffectiveness of the inhibition of PPARα on CYP7B1, which may further stimulate the Erα activity and then induce intrahepatic cholestasis. Abnormal expression of PPARα, CYP7B1 and ER may play a role in the pathogenesis of estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis.

Objective To study the structural features and anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide isolated from Aeodes orbitosa.Methods Sugar composition analysis,methylation analysis and IR were used to characterize the structural features.The anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide was evaluated by cutting tail and capillary methods.Results The polysaccharide was composed of 3,6-anhydrous-galactose,6-methyl-galactose,2-methyl-galactose,galactose,xylose and glucose in the molar ratios of 6.4∶0.9∶5.8∶1.6∶84.1∶1.2.The content of Sulfate group was 37.5%. The main linkage model of the polysaccharide were 1,3 and 1,4 linkages,branch point located at O-2 and 6 of galactose residues.Sulfate group located at 2 and 6 position of 1,4 linked galactose residue and 2 position of 1,3 linked galactose residue.The polysaccharide showed significant activities to extend bleeding time and coagulation time in mice.Conclusion The polysaccharide from Aeodes orbitosa was a sulfate galactan with strong anticoagulant activity.

Depression is a common complication after stroke.It is often associated with disability,cognitive impairment,and increased mortality.This article reviews the epidemiology,risk factors,predictive factors,and pathophysiology mechanisms of post-stroke depression.

Objective To construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) vaccines based on different tandem repeats of MUC1 and GM-CSF, rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF, and to observe the ability of three recombinant BCG vaccines in the inhibition of breast cancer. Methods After MUC1 variable-number tandem repeats (MVNTR1/4/8) were cloned in a stepwise manner, the E. coli-Mycobacteria shuttle expression vector pDE22-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF were constructed by fusing MVNTR1/4/8 and GM-CSF, and then used to transform competent BCG by electroporation after identification by restriction endonuclease digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. A novel breast cancer vaccines, rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF was constructed. The expression of fused MVNTR1/4/8-CSF protiens was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The ability of rBCG vaccines inhibiting the growth of breast cancer was observed in hu-PBL-SCID mice. The specific T cell responses in mice were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results The expression of recombinant MVNTR1/4/8-CSF fusion proteins were detected by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot in rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF vaccines, respectively. Tumor incidence in mice prophylactic immunized with rBCG-MVNTR4-CSF (37.5%) or rBCG-MVNTR8-CSF (25%) significantly decreased compared with PBS and BCG-pDE22 control ( 100% ) at 42 days after tumor implantation ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). MCF-7 tumor growth inhibition in rBCG- MVNTR4/8-CSF-immunized mice was more significant than that in controls ( P ＜0. 01 ).The inhibition effect of three rBCG vaccines on breast rumor growth appeared to rise with increase of numbers of the tandem repeats of MUC1. Survival rate was 75% of mice in the rBCG-MVNTR4-CSF-treated group and 87. 5% of mice in the rBCG-MVNTR8-CSF-treated groups at 70 days after tumor implantation; however,survival rate was only 12. 5% in control group( P ＜0. 05). The CD4-positive and CD8-positive lymphocytes were detected only in rBCG-MVNTR4/8-CSF-immunized mice. Conclusions rBCG-MVNTR4/8-CSF immunization inhibits breast cancer growth in mice.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that construction of eoexpression plasmid containing multiple genes on the same vector could improve transfection and expression rates.OBJECTIVE: To construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUC1 -GM-CSF by human polymorphic epithclial mucin (MUC 1) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor.(GM-CSF) and to observe expression of recombinant plasmid in COS-7 cells.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: Gene recombination design,which was carried out in the Animal Central Laboratory,the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA from September 2005 to December 2006.MATERIALS: Eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+) was presented by Pro.Taylor-Papadimitriou;pGEM-3zf()-GM-CSF plasmid,COS-7 cells,pUCI 8 vector,and E.coli DH5α were made in the center; female BALB/c mice were provided by Experimental Animal Center of the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: Signal peptide was synthesized with encoded MUCI gene sections to obtain repeated sequence coneatemer after renaturation.Next,the accepted concatemer was cloned with GM-CSF following enzyme identification and sequencing analysis,and then they were put in eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) to construct eukaryotic coexpression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUCI -GM-CSF in order to transform COS-7 cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: Enzyme identification and sequencing analysis showed that recombinant plasmid contained a fusion gene encompassing human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF; moreover,MUC1 expression was detected in COS-7 cells,while recombinant plasmid could induce the production of anti-GM-CSF antibody.CONCLUSION: The recombination between human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF gene successfully constructs eukaryotic coexpression plasmid.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of CT perfusion in predicting the status of axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer.Methods Fony-five patients with infiltrating breast cancers and 46 clinically palpable axillary lymph nodes underwent dynamic mtdti-slice spiral CT(MSCT).Semi-automatic calculation of perfusion parameters including blood flow(BF),blood volume(BV),mean transit time(MTT)and permeability surface(PS)of "target" lymph nodes and muscles in the same scan level were respectively meagured and analyzed.Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for the statistics.Results Forty-six "target" lymph nodes examined by CTP were metastasis in 32 cases and reactive hyperplastic lymph node inflammation in 14 cases at pathology.22 of 32 metastatic "target" nodes (68%)were sentinel lymph nodes(SLN).BF of CIP for inflammation and metastatic "target" nodes were (76.18±31.53)and(161.60±40.94)ml·100 mg-1·min-1,BV were(5.81±2.50)and(9.15±3.02)ml／100 mg.MTT were(6.80±1.55)and(5.50±1.84)s,PS were(25.82±4.62)and (25.96±7.47)ml·100 mg-1·min-1.There were significant correlations between the BF value of inflammation and metastatic "target" nodes(r=0.14,P<0.05)and there were no significant correlations among the BV,MTT and PS values of inflammation and metastatic "target" nodes(r=-0.03,0.05,0.07.P>0.05).Conelusion CTP can provide useful informafion for evaluating lymph node status.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics, and the effect of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clone size and its evolution on response and survival in aplastic anemia (AA) patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 90 AA cases with PNH clones from 316 AA patients between January 2011 and September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, their clinical characteristics were analyzed, and the influence of PNH clone evolution and size on response and survival were explored.

RESULTS① Of 316 patients, 90 cases (28.5%) with PNH clones. Of 83 cases with long-term follow-up data available, the complete (CR) and partial response (PR) rates were 43.4% and 33.7% respectively, with the overall responsive rate of 77.1%. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS)rates were 79.4% and 76.1% respectively. ② After immunosuppressive therapy (IST), the PNH clone changed from negative to positive in 24 cases, persistently positive PNH clones were observed in 22 cases, disappeared in 10 cases. There were no significant differences in terms of overall responsive rates, survival rates, absolute reticulocyte value, TBIL, IBIL and LDH among the three groups (P >0.05). Ten cases became AA-PNH after a median time of 15.6 months, no significant differences were found in overall responsive and survival rates between the 10 cases and the other 46 cases who were monitored for PNH clones (P values were 0.896, 0.688, respectively). ③ According to univariate analysis, age≥55, infection, VSAA, ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L and absolute reticulocyte value <0.012 × 10(12)/L had significant influence on survival (P values were 0.026, 0.000, 0.001, 0.000 and 0.010, respectively). Cox regression model analysis identified that age, infection and ANC were independent prognostic factors affecting survival (P values were 0.050, 0.012 and 0.050, respectively). The PNH clone size had no significant influence on response and survival based on univariate and Cox analyses.

CONCLUSIONThe PNH clone size and its evolution had no significant influence on response and survival.

Anemia, Aplastic ; complications ; pathology ; Clone Cells ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Reticulocytes ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To determine the valuable hemolytic characteristics in differential diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Method: The clinical and hemolytic characteristics of 108 PNH patients, 127 AIHA patients and 172 HS patients diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2017 were compared. Results: ①Reticulocyte percentage (Ret%) of PNH patients [6.70% (0.14%-22.82%)] was significantly lower than that of AIHA [14.00%(0.10%-55.95%), P<0.001] and HS patients [11.83%(0.60%-57.39%), P<0.001]. The Ret% in PNH patients were significantly lower than those in AIHA and HS patients at the same levels of anemia, except for in mild anemia between PNH and AIHA patients. However, when comparing the Ret% between AIHA and HS patients, there was significant difference only in mild anemia [7.63%(1.87%-29.20%)% vs 11.20%(3.31%-22.44%), z=-2.165, P=0.030]. ②The level of TBIL in HS patients was significantly higher than that in AIHA and PNH patients [79.3 (11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 57.6 (7.6-265.0) μmol/L, z=5.469, P<0.001; 79.3(11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 26.2(4.6-217.7) μmol/L, z=-2.165, P<0.001], and the proportion of HS patients with TBIL more than 4 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (64.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA (37.7%, χ²=19.896, P<0.001) and PNH patients (4.6%, P<0.001). ③The LDH level of PNH patients was significantly higher than that of AIHA and HS [1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 487 (29-3 516) U/L, z=-9.556, P<0.001; 1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 252 (132-663) U/L, z=-11.518, P<0.001], and the proportion of PNH patients with LDH more than 1 000 U/L (79.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA patients (13.0%, χ²=93.748, P<0.001) and HS patients (0, P<0.001). ④Splenomegaly occurred in 43.5% of PNH patients, including 16.0% with severe splenomegaly. In contrast, the occurrence of splenomegaly was 98.6% in AIHA patients and 100.0% in HS patients (P<0.001), and 63.0% of AIHA patients (P<0.001) and 90.4% of HS patients (P<0.001) were with severe splenomegaly. ⑤The prevalence of cholelithiasis in HS patients was up to 43.1%, significantly higher than that in AIHA patients (10.5%, P<0.001) and PNH patients (2.9%, P<0.001). Conclusion The comprehensive assessment of the five hemolytic characteristics is simplified, practical and efficient, with great clinical significance, providing specific indicators for differential diagnosis and efficient approach for making further work-up.

Objective To explore the accuracy of fluid responsiveness assessment by variability of peripheral arterial peak velocity and variability of inferior vena cava diameter (ΔIVC) in patients with septic shock. Methods A prospective study was conducted. The patients with septic shock undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Electric Power Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled. According to sepsis bundles of septic shock, volume expansion (VE) was conducted. The increase in cardiac index (ΔCI) after VE ≥ 10% was defined as liquid reaction positive (responsive group), ΔCI < 10% was defined as the liquid reaction negative (non-responsive group). The hemodynamic parameters [central venous pressure (CVP), intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI), stroke volume variation (SVV), ΔIVC, variability of carotid Doppler peak velocity (ΔCDPV), and variability of brachial artery peak velocity (ΔVpeak-BA)] before and after VE were monitored. The correlations between the hemodynamic parameters and ΔCI were explored by Pearson correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of all hemodynamic parameters on fluid responsiveness. Results During the study, 74 patients with septic shock were included, of whom 9 were excluded because of peripheral artery stenosis, recurrent arrhythmia or abdominal distension influencing the ultrasound examination, and 65 patients were finally enrolled in the analysis. There were 31 patients in the responsive group and 34 in the non-responsive group. SVV, ΔIVC, ΔCDPV and ΔVpeak-BA before VE in responsive group were significantly higher than those of the non-responsive group [SVV: (12.3±2.4)% vs. (9.2±2.1)%, ΔIVC: (22.3±5.3)% vs. (15.5±3.7)%, ΔCDPV: (15.3±3.3)% vs. (10.3±2.4)%, ΔVpeak-BA: (14.5±3.3)% vs. (9.6±2.3)%, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in CVP [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 7.5±2.5 vs. 8.2±2.6] or ITBVI (mL/m2: 875.2±173.2 vs. 853.2±192.0) between the responsive group and non-responsive group (both P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in hemodynamic parameter after VE between the two groups. Correlation analysis showed that SVV, ΔIVC, ΔCDPV, and ΔVpeak-BA before VE showed significant linearity correlation with ΔCI (r value was 0.832, 0.813, 0.854, and 0.814, respectively, all P < 0.05), but no correlation was found between CVP and ΔCI (r = -0.342, P > 0.05) as well as ITBVI and ΔCI (r = -0.338, P > 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of SVV, ΔIVC, ΔCDPV, and ΔVpeak-BA before VE for predicting fluid responsiveness was 0.857, 0.826, 0.906, and 0.866, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of CVP (AUC = 0.611) and ITBVI (AUC = 0.679). When the optimal cut-off value of SVV for predicting fluid responsiveness was 11.5%, the sensitivity was 70.4%, and the specificity was 94.7%. When the optimal cut-off value of ΔIVC was 20.5%, the sensitivity was 60.3%, and the specificity was 89.7%. When the optimal cut-off value of ΔCDPV was 13.0%, the sensitivity was 75.2%, and the specificity was 94.9%. When the optimal cut-off value of ΔVpeak-BA was 12.7%, the sensitivity was 64.8%, and the specificity was 89.7%. Conclusions Ultrasound assessment of ΔIVC, ΔCDPV, and ΔVpeak-BA could predict fluid responsiveness in patients with septic shock receiving mechanical ventilation. ΔCDPV had the highest predictive value among these parameters.

Objective: To analyze clonal evolution and clinical significance of trisomy 8 in patients with acquired bone marrow failure. Methods: The clinical data of 63 patients with acquired bone marrow failure accompanied with isolated trisomy 8 (+8) from June 2011 to September 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, the clonal evolution patterns and relationship with immmunosuppressive therapy were summarized. Results: Totally 24 male and 39 female patients were enrolled, including 39 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and 24 patients with relatively low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Mean size of+8 clone in MDS patients[65% (15%-100%) ]was higher than that of AA patients[25% (4.8%-100%) , z=3.48, P=0.001]. The patients were was divided into three groups (<30%, 30%-<50%,and ≥50%) according to the proportion of+8 clone. There was significant difference among the three groups between AA[<30%:55.6% (20/36) ; 30-50%: 22.2% (8/36) ; ≥50%22.2% (8/36) ]and MDS patients[<30%:19.0% (4/21) ; 30%-<50%:19.0% (4/21) ; ≥50%61.9% (13/21) ] (P=0.007) . The proportion of AA patients with+8 clone <30% was significantly higher than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) ; and the proportion of AA patients with+8 clone ≥50%was significantly lower than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) . The median age of AA and MDS patients was respectively 28 (7-61) years old and 48.5 (16-72) years old. Moreover, there was no correlation between age and+8 clone size in AA or MDS (r_s=0.109, P=0.125; r_s=-0.022, P=0.924, respectively) . There was statistical difference in total iron binding capacity, transferrin and erythropoietin between high and low clone group of AA patients (P=0.016, P=0.046, P=0.012, respectively) , but no significant difference in MDS patients. The immunosuppressive therapy (IST) efficacy of AA and MDS patients was respectively 66.7% and 43.8% (P=0.125) . Comparing with initial clone size (27.3%) , the +8 clone size (45%) of AA patients was increased 1-2 year after IST, but no statistical difference (z=0.83, P=0.272) . Consistently, there was no significant change between initial clone size (72.5%) and 1-2 year clone size (70.5%) after IST in MDS patients. There was no significant difference in IST efficient rate between +8 clone size expansion and decline group of in AA patients at 0.5-<1, 1-2 and>2 years after IST. We found four dynamic evolution patterns of +8 clone, which were clone persistence (45%) , clone disappearance (30%) , clone emergence (10%) and clone recurrence (15%) . Conclusions AA patients had a low clone burden, while MDS patients had a high burden of +8 clone. The +8 clone of AA patients didn’t significantly expanded after IST, and the changes of +8 clone also had no effect on IST response.