Objective To explore the changing trend of Ia on monocyte, lymphocyte apoptosis rate, TNF-α and IL-6 in abdominal aorta of burned rats with delayed resuscitation and the influence of application of carbachol on them. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n =8), scald group(n =48) and scald with carbachol treatment group(n =48). In latter two groups, rats were inflicted with 30% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness scald and delayed fluid resuscitation. All scald rats were sacrificed at the 6th hours or 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th day after scald, with 8 rats at each time point. Expression of Ia antigen on monocyte and lymphocyte apoptosis rate were determined by direct immunofluorescence on a flow cytometer, and TNF-α and IL-6 was measured by ELISA. Results Expression of la on monocyte was obviously lower than that of controls. The lowest levels were recorded on the 6th hours and 1st day after scald. Subsequently, Ia was elevated gradually, but still lower than that of normal rats(P <0. 01). After administration of carbachol, Ia expression was obviously promoted, compared with the simple scald group (P <0. 01). Lymphocyte apoptosis rate, TNF-α and IL-6 was higher than that of controls(P <0. 01). After administration of cavachol, , lymphocyte apoptosis rate and TNF-α and IL-6 was obviously down-regulated on the 6th hours, 1st day, 2nd day and 3rd day after scald injury, compared with the simple scald group (P < 0. 01 or 0. 05). Conclusion After severe burn with delayed fluid resuscitation, there is a low la expression, high lymphocyte apoptosis rate and increased releasing of proinflammatory cytokine. Immune function was suppressed. Carbacho] could improve the immune function of scald rats with delayed fluid resuscitation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA, and explore the changes of apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS).

METHODSOf 18 CMS patients and 16 controls were enrolled in this study. The apoptotic index (AI) of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) was measured by TUNEL technique, the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in BMMNC of CMS patients and controls were determined by RT-PCR. Results (1)The AI of BMMNC in patients with CMS (8.51 ± 3.35)% was lower than that in controls (16.00 ± 4.28)% (P < 0.01); (2) The values of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA were (0.28 ± 0.07) and (0.23 ± 0.08) respectively, in CMS patients, which were significantly lower than those of (0.45 ± 0.09) and (0.41 ± 0.09) respectively, in the controls (both P < 0.01); (3) Hemoglobin (Hb) value was negatively correlated with levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA (r values were -0.52 and -0.61 respectively, both P < 0.05) in CMS patients. There was a negative correlation between AI and Hb (r value was -0.89, P < 0.01) in CMS patients. However, the significant relationship was not found between AI and level of caspase-8 or caspase-9 mRNA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed a decrease apoptosis of BMMNCs and reduced levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in CMS patients, the latter might be involved in the change of BMMNCs apoptosis.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Interleukin ( IL) -38 is the most recently discovered cytokine, which is the tenth member of IL-1 cytokine family. IL-38 shares a high homology with IL-1 receptor antagonist ( IL-1 Ra) and IL-36 Ra. IL-36 R is the specific receptor of IL-38 which is the partial receptor antagonist of IL-36. Now, research has shown that IL-38 not only had relationship with intracellular infection and inflammation, but also with many clinical diseases such as autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, tumor and cardiopulmonary diseases. However, the molecular immune regulation mechanism of IL-38 is complicated, involving specific receptor recruitment, apoptosis mediated phagocyte regulation, regulation of Th17 cell differentiation and many other processes. It also provides several new clues to the treatment of diseases. IL-38 is a new cytokine research hot spot with extensive application prospects and need deep exploration.

【Objective】To form a new PTMAc- PEG- PTMAc triblock（PPP）copolymerhydrogel and to evaluate its sustained released performance and antiproliferative effects as an ocular drug carrier of Pirfenidone（PFD）【Methods】One type triblockcopolymers PPP hydrogel was chosen. The morphology of the material was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The swelling properties of the PPP hydrogel was analyzed in PBS solution（37 ℃ ，pH 7.4）. The in vitro drug release of the pirfenidone loaded hydrogels were evaluated with non-dialysis method and the curves of drug release were drawed. We evaluated the adhesion，survival of human Tenon′s capsule fibroblasts（HTF）around hydrogels. The cell cytotoxicity of hydrogels and antiproliferative effects were evaluated through CCK-8 assay.【Results】The hydrogel has stable gelation conditions. The swelling rate decreased by increasing hydrogel concentration.The SEM images indicated the fibrous and porous structure. We also observed that the encapsulated pirfenidone were sustained released from hydrogels with an initial burst release at early stage（within 4 d）and then the release rate were declined for all hydrogels during the following 14 d. The PPP hydrogel can inhibit cell adhesion. The cell viability in hydrogels at four time point（24，48，72 and 96 h）were 85.7% ，93.0% ，82.0% ，81.6%. The inhibition rate of drug loaded hydrogel with two drug concentration（1 mg/mL or 2 mg/mL）are 25.8%，21.8%，55.4%，25.6%；44.6%，35.9%，55.5%，31.4%. While that of drug solution are 28.9% ，29.7% ，7.8% ，7.7%. The suppressive effects of the PFD loaded hydrogels on HTF proliferation followed a dose-dependent fashion and time-dependent fashion.【Conclusions】Such biocompatible copolymers hydrogel can be effectively used as an drug sustain released system. It can induce significant inhibition of HTF proliferation. With equal amount of drug，the inhibition effect of drug loaded gel was longer than that of drug solution.

OBJECTIVETo study the biological properties of human dental pulp cells (HDPC) by cloning and analysis of genes differentially expressed in HDPC in comparison with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF).

METHODSHDPC and HGF were cultured and identified by immunocytochemistry. HPDC and HGF subtractive cDNA library was established by PCR-based modified subtractive hybridization, genes differentially expressed by HPDC were cloned, sequenced and compared to find homogeneous sequence in GenBank by BLAST.

RESULTSCloning and sequencing analysis indicate 12 genes differentially expressed were obtained, in which two were unknown genes. Among the 10 known genes, 4 were related to signal transduction, 2 were related to trans-membrane transportation (both cell membrane and nuclear membrane), and 2 were related to RNA splicing mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONThe biological properties of HPDC are determined by the differential expression of some genes and the growth and differentiation of HPDC are associated to the dynamic protein synthesis and secretion activities of the cell.

Cloning, Molecular ; Cloning, Organism ; Dental Pulp ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Library ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUNDAhmed glaucoma valves (AGV) has been used for decades, but there is no detailed report about the efficacy of AGV in Chinese glaucoma patients. This study aimed to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy and side effects of S-2 polypropylene and PF-7 silicone AGV implantation in Chinese refractory glaucoma patients.

METHODSPatients were divided into S-2 model AGV group and FP-7 model AGV group. The complete and qualified surgical success rate, change of IOP, number of anti-glaucoma medications used and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSAverage follow-up time was comparable between two groups. IOP was reduced from (37.9 ± 12.7) mmHg preoperatively to (17.3 ± 5.3) mmHg at the last follow-up in S-2 group and reduced from (39.9 ± 14.4) mmHg to (17.7 ± 4.9) mmHg in FP-7 group. Anti-glaucoma medications were reduced from 3.8 ± 0.2 to 1.5 ± 0.2 in S-2 group, and 3.5 ± 0.2 to 0.7 ± 0.2 in FP-7 groups. The cumulative success rates were comparable in two groups, which were 61.2% and 72.1% in S-2 group and FP-7 group respectively. When IOP reduction criteria was used, complete success rates were 30.6% and 51.2% for S-2 and FP-7 groups, and qualified success rates were 86.1% and 92.7% separately. In both groups, the major complication was hypotony, and the previous trabeculectomy of patients was the major risk factor for surgery failure.

CONCLUSIONSIn this short-term retrospective study, S-2 AGV is showed at least as effective as FP-7 AGV in IOP reduction, but associated with higher rate of complications. Previous trabeculectomy is a principle risk factor for AGV implantation failure. These clinical outcomes are important for converting use of the FP-7 silicon AGV in Chinese refractory glaucoma patients.

Adult ; Female ; Glaucoma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; physiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the expression of HLA-DR on CD14+ monocytes of burn patients with delayed resuscitation, and to analyze the relationship between it and sepsis.

METHODSTwenty-five patients with total burn surface area over 30% TBSA and delayed resuscitation were enrolled in the study, among which 7 were complicated by sepsis during hospitalization. Peripheral blood was collected on 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 post-burn days (PBD), and the blood of the patients with sepsis were also collected on the 1 and 2 days after the occurrence of sepsis. Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled as controls. Expression rate of HLA-DR on CD14+ monocytes was determined by flow cytometry. The level of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSExpression rate of HLA-DR antigen on CD14+ monocytes in burn patients without sepsis on 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 PBD were (15 +/- 6)%, (7 +/- 5)%, (26 +/- 17)%, (28 +/- 16)% and (47 +/- 16)%, respectively, which were obviously lower than that of healthy people [(92 +/- 10)%, P < 0.01], and it was also markedly lower on 1 and 2 days after the occurrence of sepsis than that of controls and those of patients without sepsis on 1, 7, 14, 28 PBD (P < 0.01). The positive rate and concentration of TNF-alpha in patients with sepsis were obviously higher than that of healthy people and patients without sepsis (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the expression rate of HLA-DR on CD14+ monocytes and IL-10 levels, and it showed significant difference on 1, 7, and 28 PBD (r = -0.9963, -0.7459, -0.8474, respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONImmune function is suppressed and proinflammatory mediators are excessively released in severely burn patients after delayed resuscitation, especially when complicated with sepsis. Expression of HLA-DR on CD14+ monocytes may be an useful parameter for monitoring the immune function of burn patients.

Burns ; immunology ; metabolism ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Sepsis ; immunology ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the emergency department observation unit (EDOU) for patients with acute pyelonephritis in a Singapore tertiary academic medical centre. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of consecutive patients who presented with pyelonephritis between 1 July 2012 and 31 October 2014 to collect information on demographics, symptoms, signs, laboratory and radiological results, treatment, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 459 emergency department (ED) patients who were identified as having pyelonephritis, 164 (35.7%) were managed in the EDOU. Successful management in the EDOU was achieved in 100 (61.0%) patients. Escherichia coli was the predominant (64.6%) micro-organism in urine cultures and was positive in 106 patients. Patients diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis who were successfully managed in the EDOU had a lower incidence of nausea (32.0% vs. 60.9%, p < 0.001) and vomiting (15.0% vs. 50.0%, p < 0.001) compared to those who were not successful. CONCLUSION EDOU is useful for both observation and treatment of patients with acute pyelonephritis. Urine cultures are sufficient for the identification of the culprit micro-organism. Patients who present with prominent symptoms of vomiting should have routine administration of antiemetics, while consideration for second-line antiemetics is recommended for those with persistent symptoms.