Objective:To construct superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles targeting tumor angiogenesis and evaluate their potential value as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) .Methods:Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles targeting tumor angiogenesis were prepared by using co-precipitation chemical method. Cyclic RGD(cRGD) containing the sequence of Arg-Gly-Asp were conjugated USPIO nanoparticles by using chemical conjugative method to prepare superparamagnetic imaging agent targeting tumor angiogenic vessles. The physical and chemical properties of cRGD-USPIO nanoparticles were detected. The specific binding capabilities of cRGD-USPIO and USPIO to human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were tested by Prussian blue staining. A549 xenografts were established in nude mice, then USPIO and cRGD-USPIO were injected though tail vein, and the MRI signal enhancement effect of cRGD-USPIO was evaluated.Results:We successfully prepared the cRGD-USPIO nanoparticles. Its core diameter was 5-10 nm and the average diameter was (43.97±10.10) nm and the quality saturation magnetic intensity was 59.94 A·m~2·kg~(-1). Cell-binding test suggested that cRGD-USPIO group showed strengthened positive staining. In vivo MRI experiments showed that signals of tumor were significantly reduced in cRGD-USPIO group than that in USPIO group (P<0.01). Conclusion:The constructed cRGD-USPIO nanoparticles can be developed as a potential tumor-specific MRI contrast agent for the early diagnosis of cancer.

Objective To discuss the signiifcance of serum albumin level in assessing severity, progress and prognosis of sepsis in children. Methods The clinical data of 212 patients diagnosed with sepsis admitted to PICU from February 2010 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, and 52 patients had severe sepsis and 31 patients had septic shock. Meanwhile, 110 non-sepsis patients were selected as controls. The relationships of hypoalbuminemia with pediatric critical illness score (PCIS), pediatric risk of mortality III (PRISM III) and prognosis were evaluated, and the change of albumin level in patients with dif-ferent severity of sepsis was observed. Relative factors analysis of albumin level ≤25 g/L was performed. Results As the serum albumin level was decreased, the PCIS was signiifcantly decreased while the PRISM III was increased (P<0.01). The se-rum albumin level was signiifcantly different among children with septic shock, severe sepsis and sepsis and controls (F=13.938, P=0.000). The results of relative factors analysis showed that sepsis children with an albumin level≤25 g/L had more organ failures, higher mortality, longer hospital and PICU stay and more likelihood for ventilator support (P<0.01). Lower albumin levels were accompanied with lower rates of recovery and improvement but higher mortality (rs=-0.161, P=0.000). Conclusions Hypoalbuminemia can be used as indirect indicator for severity of infection. The albumin level≤25 g/L indicated the severity of illness and prognosis in children with sepsis.

BACKGROUNDAt present, it has been known that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a crucial role in invasion, development and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In order to explore whether the expression of COX-2 inhibits the occurrence and development of NSCLC, antisense vector of human COX-2 gene is transfected into COX-2 highly expressing NSCLC cell line H1299 and its effects on proliferation and sensitivity to cisplatin of H1299 are analysed.

METHODSH1299 cells were transfected with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene using LipoVecTM transfecting technique. Transfected cells were selected with Geneticin (G418). The COX-2 mRNA level was examined by using reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The COX-2 protein level was examined by Western Blot. The proliferative status and sensitivity to cisplatin of cells was measured by methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed a lower COX-2 mRNA level in transfected cells. The level of COX-2 protein was decreased apparently. The proliferative index of the transfected cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The IC50 value of cisplatin decreased remarkably in transfected cells (1.8mg/l) compared with that in H1299 cells without transfection (3.8mg/l) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTransfection with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene can not only inhibit the proliferation of H1299 cells, but also increase the sensitivity to cisplatin of H1299 cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of genetic algorithm (GA) on multiple objective blending technology for extractions of Cortex Fraxini.

METHODAccording to that the optimization objective was the combination of fingerprint similarity and the root-mean-square error of multiple key constituents, a new multiple objective optimization model of 10 batches extractions of Cortex Fraxini was built. The blending coefficient was obtained by genetic algorithm. The quality of 10 batches extractions of Cortex Fraxini that after blending was evaluated with the finger print similarity and root-mean-square error as indexes.

RESULTThe quality of 10 batches extractions of Cortex Fraxini that after blending was well improved. Comparing with the fingerprint of the control sample, the similarity was up, but the degree of variation is down. The relative deviation of the key constituents was less than 10%.

CONCLUSIONIt is proved that genetic algorithm works well on multiple objective blending technology for extractions of Cortex Fraxini. This method can be a reference to control the quality of extractions of Cortex Fraxini. Genetic algorithm in blending technology for extractions of Chinese medicines is advisable.

Algorithms ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Quality Control