The distribution and morphological characteristics of catecholamine(CA)-containing neurons in the human brain stem of 7-9-month-old fetuses were studied by using Faglu histofluorescence method. The distribution of the main CA groups is consistent with the data provided by the literature concerning human infant and adult except for the presence of numerous small premature-looking fluorescent cells in the fetal area postrema which is lacking in the human infant and adult. As compared with most studies of other animals, the CA neurons of the dorsocaudal extension of the locus coeruleus in human appear to be more extensive and do not close to the ependyma of the fourth ventricle. Moreover, the CA neuronal population in human midbrain become more hypertrophic and appear to be more complexly organized in comparison with those in animals.

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disease and mainly affects skin,joints,or both.Psoriasis is also a chronic relapsing disorder that can cause physical and psychological burdens to patients.Currently it is widely accepted that the immune system is involved in the development of psoriasis.Th17 cells,a subtype of CD4 +T lymphocytes,are characterized by its ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokine IL-17.Recent studies indicate that Th17 cells play a predominant role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.Moreover,targeted therapies have been developed and approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.This review summarizes the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and several therapeutic biologics targeting this pathway in psoriasis.

Objective To investigate the infection of chlamydiae trachomahs(CT) and myoplasmas in urogenital tract and antibiotic susceptibility of cultured genital myoplasmas.Methods 5095 patients with urogenital tract infection were detected with mycoplasma identification susceptibility testing reagent kit,and the drug susceptibility to eight antibiotics of ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) and mycoplasm hominid (Mh) were tested by broth microdilution method.And chlamydiae trachomatis was examined by golden standard method.Results In 5095 cases, 417cases(8 2%) were infected with chlamydiae trachomatis, and the infective rate in woman(11 2%) was statistically higher than that in man(6 2%). 1728 cases(33 9%) were infected with mycoplasma, and the infective rate in woman(43 0%) was statistically higher than that in man(28 0%).The cases infected with simple UU(1251,24 6%) were more than that in the cases infected with simple Mh(71,1 4%) and the mixed infected cases(406,8 0%). Drug sensitivity to erythromycin, roxithromycin, josamycin, azithromycin, doxycycline, minocin,ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin in Uu infection were 60 3%,67 5%,73 2%,85 3%,55 7%,40 1%,25 6%,2 7%,respectively;while the mixed infection of Mh and Uu had resistance to the eight antibiotics on the different degree.Conclusions The infective rate of chlamydiae trachomatis and myoplasma in urogential tract and the resistance rates to 8 antibiotics in Hunan province were in a higher level, compared with other area inland. It is necessary to develop antibiotic susceptibility test,in addition to the myoplasma culture for guiding the clinical therapy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the methylation of CpG island of RUNX3 gene promoter and its expression in a human cutaneous malignant melanoma cell line A375, and to assess the role of RUNX3 gene methylation in the pathogenesis of human cutaneous malignant melanoma. Methods Cultured A375 cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 μmol/l) of 5-azacyti-dine for 24 or 72 hours followed by another 5 days of culture. Then, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to evaluate the methylation status of RUNX3 promoter region, and Western-blot analysis to detect the protein expression of RUNX3 in A375 cells. Results The RUNX3 gene promoter region was hypermethylated in untreated A375 cells, along with the absence of protein expression of RUNX3. However, after the treatment with 5-azacytidine, the promoter region of RUNX3 gene was demethylated partly, and the expression of RUNX3 protein was restored in A375 cells. Further, the expression intensity was directly correlated with the concentration of 5-azacytidine. Conclusions The promoter hypermethylation of RUNX3 gene may be related to the silencing of RUNX3 gene expression in A375 cells, whereas 5-azacytidine can cause the demethylation of RUNX3 gene, reactivate the gene which has been inactivated by the promoter hypermethylation, and finally induce the re-expression of RUNX3 protein.

Objective To estimate the influence of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the proliferative ability of and methylation levels of genomic DNA and proliferation-associated gene promoter in human HaCaT keratinocytes.Methods Some cultured HaCaT cells were treated with 1,25 (OH)2D3 of 10-6,10-7 and 10-8 mol/L for 24 hours,then,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was carried out to evaluate the proliferative activity of cells,and a global DNA methylation quantification kit was used to determine the global DNA methylation level.Real-time PCR was conducted to quantify the mRNA expression of DNA methyl transferases (DNMTs) and methyl-DNA binding domain (MBD) proteins,and methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) to evaluate the methylation status of promoter region in the programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) genes,in HaCaT cells after 24-hour treatment with 1,25 (OH)2D3 of 10-6 mol/L.The HaCaT cells receiving no treatment served as the control.Results Compared with the untreated HaCaT cells,those treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 of 10-6 mol/L showed significantly down-regulated proliferative activity (0.152 ± 0.027 vs.0.290 ± 0.017,P ＜ 0.01),global DNA methylation level (0.187 ± 0.071 vs.0.316 ± 0.049,P ＜ 0.05),DNMT3a and DNMT3b mRNA expression levels (P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05),but markedly upregulated mRNA expression levels of MECP2,MBD2,PDCD5 and TIMP2 (P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05).Moreover,the DNA methylation levels within the promoter region of PDCD5 and TIMP2 genes were significantly lower in HaCaT cells treated with 1,25 (OH)2D3 of 10-6 mol/L than in the control cells (0.38 ± 0.135 vs.0.72 ± 0.121,0.46 ± 0.172 vs.0.68 ± 0.133,both P＜ 0.05).Conclusions 1,25(OH)2D3 may down-regulate the global genomic DNA methylation level of,and modulate the expression of DNA methylationmodifying genes in,HaCaT cells.Furthermore,1,25 (OH)2D3 can decrease the promoter methylation levels but induce the overexpression of PDCD5 and TIMP2 genes,and decelerate the proliferation of HaCaT cells.

AIM:To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide(H2S)donor(NAHS)on oxidative stress of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy rats.METHODS:Weight-matched adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1)ADR group(n=12),in which 2.5 mg/kg of adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 10 weeks(total dose of 25 mg/kg).(2)ADR+small-dose NaHS group(n=12),in which the dosage and the use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 2.8 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time.(3)ADR + large-dose NaHS group(n=12),in which the dosage and the use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 14 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time.(4)Control group(n=9),in which an equivalent volume of physiological saline was administered weekly for a total of 10 weeks.(5)NaHS group(n=9),in which 14 ?mol/kg of NaHS solution was injected to rats intraperitonealy once a week for 10 weeks.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained 10 weeks after the treatment.Meanwhile,H2S and malondialdehyde(MDA)concentrations,the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated,respectively.RESULTS:The cardiac functions in the group of ADR rats depressed obviously.H2S concentrations,SOD and GSH-Px activities in serum and myocardial tissues of ADR group rats were all significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group(P

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the scallop skirt glycosaminoglycan (SS-GAG) in vitro on the endothelial cell damaged by oxygen free radical and the mechanism of its anti-atherosclerotic effects. Methods The endothelial cells of human umbilical vein (HUVEC)were cultured in vitro, and the damage model of endothelial cells was established by oxygen free radicals . After the damage of HUVEC by Fenton reaction, the effects of SS-GAG on the proliferative activity of HUVEC were observed by the methods of MTT chroma-tometry ,the influence of SS-GAG on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was studied by chromatometry and the effects of SS-GAG on secretion of endothelins and angiotensin Ⅱ were observed by the methods of radio-immunity. Results Compared with the control group, proliferation activity of damage group cell lowered obviously ,LDH release in culture media,and the excretion of endothelins and angiotensin Ⅱ in HUVEC rised obviously. In the groups pre-treated with SS-GAG, cell proliferation activity, the LDH release and the excretions of ET and Ang Ⅱ showed obvious differences compared with model group. Conclusion SS-GAG reduce the damage of endothelial cell caused by oxygen free radicals, restrain the secretion ofendothelins and angiotensin Ⅱ . These results indicate that SS-GAG has protective effects on the endothelial cells damaged by oxygen free redicals and the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of SS-GAG was related to its protective effects on the endothelial cells.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of combined high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) pulse therapy in patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Thirty-six patients were enrolled into this study, and randomly classified into WIG group (n=17) and methylprednisolone (MP) group (n=19). The treatment of patients in MG group began with a 3-day intravenous MP followed by intravenous WIG 400 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for 3-5 days, then was switched to oral prcdnisone and cyclophosphamide at routine dose. Intravenous MG was given repeatedly with an interval of 1 month for 2-5 sessions. Patients in MP group were treated with the same corticosteroids and immunosuppressants as used in WIG group but without IVIG. Patients were followed up for 3-12 months.The clinical efficacy, related serum parameters, and systemic lupus activity measurement (SLAM) were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results Most patients in both groups showed a remission of symptoms and reduction in disease activity after treatment. The decrease in SLAM, positivity rates of antinuclear antibodies and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies as well as the increase in platelets were faster in IVIG group than those in MP group (all P<0.05), but the long-term efficacy of the two groups was similar (P>0.05). Infections occurred in 11.8% of patients in WIG group and 36.8% of patients in MP group. Conclusions High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin may serve as an effective aid in the treatment of severe SLE, and is particularly beneficial to patients resistant to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants of routine dose and those accompanied by severe infections and intolerable to high dose of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.

Objective This study was designed to investigate the importance of H2S in rats with adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods Weight-matched adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1)the ADR group(n=12)where adriamycin(2.5 mg/kg)was given once a week;(2)ADR + small-dose NaHS group(n=12)where NaHS solution [2.8 ?mol/(kg?d)] was given;(3)ADR+large-dose NaHS group(n=12)where NaHS solution [14 ?mol/(kg?d)] was given;(4)the control group(n=9)where physiological saline was administered instead of adriamycin.(5)NaHS group(n=9)where NaHS solution [14 ?mol/(kg?d)]was given.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were carried out after treatment.Histological examination was implemented at the 10th week after the rats were sacrificed.Meanwhile,H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated by modified sulfide electrode method.Results The heart function of ADR rats decreased obviously.Pathological examination demonstrated that characteristics consistentwith cardiomyopathy were found in ADR group.H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues of the rats in ADR group were both significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group(both P

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of serum galactomannan (GM) in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods We enrolled 60 COPD patients in the study, including 19 IPA and 41 non-IPA cases.We examined serum GM of the patients by ELISA, evaluate the value of serum GM test for the diagnosis of IPA in patients with COPD, and compared the GM values before and after treatment.Results With 0.5 as the positive cutoff value, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of serum GM were 57.9%, 95.3%, 84.6%, and 83.0%, respectively, with a high specificity and a low sensitivity.The 7 IPA cases showed a significantly decreased GM value after treatment as compared with the baseline (0.30±0.21 vs 1.48±1.37, P=0.004).Conclusion The serum GM test has a limited value in the diagnosis of IPA in patients with COPD, but dynamic monitoring of the changes of the serum GM value may help evaluate the patient's condition.