Objective To evaluate the predictive value of serum presepsin (sCD14-ST) for septic myocardial depression (SMD) in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.Methods This was a prospective cohort study.A total of 84 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were monitored by pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) system and divided into myocardial depression group (cardiac function index [CFI]<4.1 L/min, n=37) and non-myocardial depression group (CFI≥4.1 L/min, n=47) according to cardiac function index (CFI).Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by doppler echocardiography at admission.The patients were divided into survival group (n=40) and non-survival group (n=44) based on 28-day mortality.Serum sCD14-ST,B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ) levels and hemodynamic parameters were observed dynamically at day 1,3,5 after admission.Quantitative data with normal distribution were analyzed using t-test and abnormal distribution data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test.Categorical data were analyzed using χ2 test.Results The serum levels of cardiac index (CI), global ejection fraction (GEF) and left ventricular contractility index (dPmax) in myocardial depression group were all significantly lower than those in non-depression group at day 1 after admission (all P<0.01).The serum levels of sCD14-ST, TNF-α and BNP in myocardial depression group were all significantly higher than those in non-depression group (all P<0.01).Serum sCD14-ST levels in 84 septic patients were positively correlated with both BNP and TNF-α (r=0.204, P<0.05 and r=0.516, P<0.01, respectively).The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of sCD14-ST was 0.782 for myocardial depression in patients with sepsis, with a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 78.0% at the cut-off point of 988 mg/mL.The predictive value of sCD14-ST was inferior to BNP and TNF-α (both P<0.05).The combination of sCD14-ST, TNF-α and BNP could provide better prediction value in septic myocardial depression.Logistic regression analysis showed that serum sCD14-ST was not the in dependent predictor for septic myocardial depression (P>0.05).There were 24 cases died in myocardial depression group.The mortality of myocardial depression group was significantly higher than that of non-depression group (64.9% vs 42.6%, χ2=4.132, P =0.042).The serum levels of sCD14-ST at day 1 and day 3 in myocardial depression group were significantly higher than those in non-myocardial depression group (both P<0.01).sCD14-ST levels in both groups showed downtrend.The serum level of sCD14-ST in non-survival group was significantly higher than that in survival group (P<0.01).Conclusions Myocardial depression is common in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.High serum level of sCD14-ST is correlated with myocardial depression to some extent, but not an independent predictor.The combination of sCD4-ST, BNP and TNF-α can improve the predictive value for myocardial depression.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of young female patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who were referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods A total of 24 consecutive AMI female patients (age≤44 years) who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively retrieved from the database, and 70 AMI patients whose age ≥ 65 years and who also underwent coronary angiography were enrolled as a control (elderly) group. Clinical features were compared between the two groups. Results Of the 24 young female AMI patients, MI from non-atherosclerosis was identiifed in 9 patients (non-ATS group). Compared to the remaining 15 young female AMI patients (ATS-group), non-ATS group was younger (P<0.05), with lower BMI (P<0.05) and less traditional risk factors of coronary heart disease (P<0.05). Coronary angiography showed more normal artery (P<0.05) and lesions on left main (P<0.05). However, when compared to the elderly group, the young female ATS-group was associated with less hypertension (P<0.01), smoking (P<0.05), traditional risk factors (P<0.01) and lower level of blood pressure (P<0.05), fasting glucose (P<0.05), serum creatine (P<0.01), TC (P<0.05), and LDL-C (P<0.01) at admission. Coronary angiography showed single vessel disease was the most common lesion. Conclusions Acute myocardial infarction in young female might be caused by non-atherosclerosis. Those due to atherosclerosis differ in coronary risk factors and angiographic features from the elderly female AMI patients.

Water soluble extract (WSE) is an important index for the quality evaluation of Astragali Radix (AR). In this study, the WSE of the wild AR from Shanxi province (SX) and the cultivated AR from Gansu Province (GS) were compared. The WSEs of two types of AR were determined according to the appendix of Chinese pharmacopoeia. Then the WSEs were subjected to NMR analysis, and the obtained data were analyzed using HCA, PCA, OPLS-DA, microarray analysis, and Spearman rank analysis. In addition, the Pearson correlation of differential metabolites were also calculated. The results showed that the WSE content of GS-AR (37.80%) was higher than that of SX-AR (32.13%). The main constituent of WSE was sucrose, and other 18 compounds, including amino acids, organic acids, were also detected. Multivariate analysis revealed that SX-AR contained more choline, succinic acid, citric acid, glutamate, taurine and aspartate, while GS samples contained more sucrose, arginine and fumaric acid. In addition, the Pearson correlations between different metabolites of the two types of AR also showed apparent differences. The results suggested that the WSE of two types of AR differs not only in the content, but also in the chemical compositions. Thus, the cultivation way is important to the quality ofAR. This study supplied a new method for the comparison of extract of herbal drugs.

BACKGROUND:Porcelain jacket crowns have achieved good results in the repair of porcelain ceramic crown and bridge colapse.
OBJECTIVE:To test the bond strength of single porcelain jacket crown, thus determining the feasibility of clinical application of repairing colapsed crown and fixed bridge by porcelain jacket crown, and meanwhile to discuss the influence between blastsanding and silane coupling agent treatment on the metal bonding strength in the repair of porcelain fracture.
METHODS: The porcelain jacket crown was cast in the same shape from disk-shaped waxpatterns. Twenty specimens were chosen without blowholes and casting defects and they were al routinely burnished and cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and dried using an oil-free air stream stand-by. Then we randomly divided the specimens into four groups: specimens were treated with nothing (control), sandblast, silane coupling agent and sandblast+silane coupling agent, respectively. Each of the specimen was bonded with Poly-F Plus. AG-10TA universal testing machine was used to test the tensile strength.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The tensile bond strength of control, sandblast, silane coupling agent and sandblast+silane coupling agent groups respectively were (0.68 0.04), (1.00 0.02), (1.31 0.08), and (1.09 0.04) kN. There were significant differences between groups (P < 0.01). In the control group, the metal surface was smooth, showing some irregular smal superficial veins. In the sandblast group, the metal surface showed irregular scaly protrusions conducive penetrate adhesives. In the silane coupling group, the metal surface manifested a honeycomb structure in favor of chimeric adhesives. The sandblast+silane coupling agent group showed some metal projections ranging in size, on the rough metal surface, which was conducive to bond. Porcelain jacket crown applied to repair colapsed crown and fixed bridge is feasible. Sandblasting and silane coupling agent can improve bond strength of porcelain jacket crown. The bond strength of metal specimens treated with silane coupling agent is the best folowed by the sandblasting+silane coupling agent.

AIM: To investigate the variation of ?-AR in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and variation of GRK2 in lung and to explore the therapeutic effect of methlyprednisolone in severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury model in rats.METHODS: 36 rats were divided into three groups randomly: the control group,the experimental group,and the intervention group.In the experimental group,severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury model was induced in SD rats by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into biliopancreatic duct.In the control group,laparotomy was performed,duodenum and pancreas were flipped only.In the intervention group,methlyprednisolone(30 mg/kg) was injected into rump muscle of rats after model developed.At 6 and 12 h after model was developed,the maximum binding capacity(Bmax) and the Kd value of ?-AR were detected in lung by means of radioactive ligand binding assay.GRK2 expression was detected in lung by means of immunofluorescence.RESULTS: The scores of the severity of pancreatitis and the severity of lung injury in the experimental group were obviously higher than those in control group.In the experimental group,Bmax was obviously lower,Kd and GRK2 were obviously higher than those in control group and the intervention group.CONCLUSION: The ?-AR in lung is lower down and GRK2 expression in lung is up-regulated in severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury model in rats.The therapeutic effect of methlyprednisolone to severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury is positive.

To compare the performances of community family physicians in different patterns of chronic disease management.From June 2011 to April 2012,3 different models (A,B,C) of chronic disease management were employed for a total of 4972 patients.Statistics analyses were performed.The number of participants,session and average effective working time were different.In terms of standard management of hypertension,diabetic management rate and non on-site management rate,model C was superior to models A and B (P ＜ 0.01).And model A had the lowest rate of non on-site management (P ＜0.05).Though with each own advantage,three models are complementary.But model C reflects the residents' self-management concept of chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of compound preparation of Cordyceps sinensis and Tripterygium hypoglaucum (CSTHC) on survival time of grafted pigskin after allogeneic transplantation and its mechanism. METHODS: The pigskin was treated with CSTHC solution before allogeneic transplantation, and CSTHC ointment was applied for external use on the grafted pigskin after skin transplantation. Cyclosporine A (CsA) and normal saline were served as control. The survival time, the appearance and the histomorphological changes of the grafted pigskin were observed. The histomorphological changes of testicles in pigs were also examined. The CD4 and CD8 expressions in the grafted pigskins were measured by immunohistochemical method. The white blood cell count in peripheral blood and the liver and renal functions were also examined. RESULTS: The survival time of the grafted pigskin in the CSTHC-treated group was (28.50+/-3.26)d, which was much longer as compared with (10.60+/-1.52)d in the untreated group (P<0.01). The survival time of the grafted pigskin in the CsA-treated group was (28.33+/-3.50)d, and there was no remarkable difference in the survival time of the grafted pigskin between the CsA-treated group and the CSTHC-treated group. The expressions of CD4 and CD8 were lower in the CSTHC-treated group than those in the untreated group on the 7th and 14th day after skin graft (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the indices between the CSTHC-treated group and the CsA-treated group. The WBC count was higher in the untreated group than that in the CSTHC-treated group or CsA-treated group on the 7th day after skin graft (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CSTHC can prolong the survival time of allogeneic grafted pigskin. Its mechanism of inhibiting the immunological rejection may relate to decreasing the expressions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) in the grafted pigskin and reducing the local inflammatory reaction.

Objective To investigate the effect of disodium cantharidinateon in vitro lymphocyte immune response in lung cancer patients.Methods Twenty non-small cell lung cancer patients diagnosed by pathological diagnosis were selected.The effects of different concentrations of disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 on lymphocyte proliferation and CD4 + CD25 + T cells,CD25 + FOXP3 + T cells,CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry.Results When the concentrations of disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 was less than 10 μg/ml,with the growth of concentration,it stimulated the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes.When the concentration was more than 10 μg/ml,with the growth of concentration,the absorbance value decreased,and the stimulating effect weakened.When the concentration of disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection was less than 10 μg/ml,with the growth of concentration,CD4 +/CD8 + ratio increased significantly,and CD4 + CD25 +/CD4 + and CD25 + FOXP3 + T cells were significantly lower,which showed statistically significant differences (t =2.171,P =0.032 ; t =2.103,P =0.041 ; t =3.662,P =0.002 ; t =3.201,P =0.003 ; t =3.233,P =0.003).But when the concentration was more than 10 μg/ml,The differences of CD4 +/CD8 + ratio,CD4 + CD25 +/CD4 + and CD25 + FOXP3 + T cells in 10,15,20 μg/ml groups were not statistically significant,which showed that disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection had a positive effect on enhancing the immune function of lymphocytes in lung cancer in a concentration dependent manner,but high concentration was unhelpful.Conclusion Disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection can promote lung cancer in vitro lymphocyte proliferation as well as increase its immunity in a certain range.

BACKGROUND: Pathophysiological mechanism of local microenvironment is complex after central nerve injury; especially,both inflammatory reaction at an acute phase and formation of secondary glial scar have tremendous effects on effective regeneration of axon, regeneration and arrangement of local nerve cells, proliferation and migration of local stem cells;therefore, it becomes a basic reason for blocking nerve repair in an early period. Thus, how to effectively resist inflammatory factors in injured region at an acute phase and how to optimize microenvironment of neural regeneration are the most important strategies for repairing spinal cord injury in recent years.OBJECTIVE: To design, establish and screen the best expression of interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) α to inhibit shRNA adenovirus expression vector by using spinal cord injury models.DESIGN: Duplicative measurement study.SETTING: Department of Spine Surgery, the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen.MATERIALS: A total of 40 healthy Wistar rats, either gender, 8-10 weeks old, were selected in this study. Rabbit-anti-rat glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody Ⅰ was provided by Santa Cruz Compan; siRNA eukaryon expression plasmid pGenesil (cohtaining green fluorescent expression system) was provided by Wuhan Jingsai Bioengineering Company.METHODS: The experiment was carried out in ImmuneOpening Laboratory, Basic Medical Faulty, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Medica Laboratory Center, the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen in November 2006. Three pairs of shRNA template which composed of 19 bp reverse repeated motif of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) α target sequence with 9 bp spacer were designed and synthesized, then the recombinant adenovirus expression vectors with green fluorescence protein were constructed in vitro respectively. The acute spinal cord injury models were completed, and the adenovirus recombinants were regionally injected post 12 hours after spinal cord injury;in addition, the inhibitory effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on expression of IL-6R in local region after spinal cord injury were detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot so as to screen adenovirus expression vector which had the best inhibitory effect on expression of IL-6R.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Inhibitory effect of RNAi on expressions of IL-6R RNA and protein in local region after spinal cord injury.RESULTS: Sequence analysis showed that IL-6R-shRNA recombinant adenovirus expression vector was successfully constructed, and optimal IL-6R-shRNA recombinant adenovirus expression vector was screened by using real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. The IL-6R expressions were 49% and 56% at the levels of mRNA and protein, respectively.CONCLUSION: The IL-6R--shRNA recombinant adenovirus expression vector is successfully constructed and screened.The gene expression of IL-6R can be highly inhibited after acute spinal cord injury.

Objective:To explore the microRNA profile changes in the development of NKT cells.Methods: Differently developmental stage of NKT cells in mouse thymus were sorted by flow cytometry.Total RNA were extracted,reversely transcribed and pre-amplified.TaqMan low density microRNA assay and single real-time PCR were applied to detect the expression changes of microRNAs in the developmental process of NKT cells.Results: There were total 92 microRNAs whose expression changed significantly during the development and maturation of NKT cells.Among them,increasly expressed microRNAs were 71,including 36 microRNAs whose expression continuously increased;decreasly expressed microRNAs were 21,including 12 microRNAs whose expression continuously decreased.In addition,single real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of Let-7f,miR-150,miR-24,miR-29 increased,while the expression of miR-223 and miR-155 decreased during the development and maturation of NKT cells.Conclusion: NKT development and maturation is accompanied by expression changes of large amount of microRNAs,indicating that specific microRNA regulates NKT development and function.