Objective To investigate the effects of interferon regulator factor 3 (IRF3) shRNA on the expression of TLR4 downstream signal molecules including IRF3-IFN-β, NF-κB/p38 MAPK-TNF-α/IL-1βand IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Kupffer cells (KCs). Methods KCs were isolated from rats by in situ perfusion. The adenovirus strains carrying IRF3 shRNA were used for the transfection of purified KCs. The isolated KCs were randomly divided into four groups including adenovirus(-) LPS(-) treatment group, adenovirus(-) LPS(+) treatment group, adenovirus(+) LPS(-) treatment group and ad-enovirus(+) LPS(+) treatment group. The levels of cytokines in the supernatants of KC culture were detec-ted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) . Real-time PCR and Western blot assay were per-formed to analyze the expression of related cytokines at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Results The expression of IRF3 at mRNA and protein levels in primary cultured KCs were induced by LPS. The cel-lular constitutive expression of IRF3 at mRNA level and the LPS-induced expression of IRF3 were signifi-cantly inhibited after transfection of KCs with adenovirus strains carrying IRF3 shRNA. However, the nucle-ar constitutive expression of IRF3 protein was not affected by IRF3 shRNA. The expression of IFN-βat mR-NA and protein levels in KCs were induced by LPS, but were suppressed by the interference with IRF3 shR-NA. No significant changes of the cellular constitutive expression of IFN-βat mRNA and protein levels were observed in IRF3 shRNA-treated KCs. Enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-αand IL-1β at mRNA and protein levels were detected in LPS-stimulated KCs. Transfection of KCs with ade-novirus strains carrying IRF3 shRNA inhibited the LPS-induced secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β, but neither LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β at mRNA level nor cellular constitutive expression of TNF-αand IL-1βat mRNA and protein levels were affected by IRF3 shRNA. The LPS-induced expression of IL-10 at mRNA and protein levels were enhanced in IRF3 shRNA-treated KCs. However, the cellular constitutive expression of IL-10 at mRNA and protein levels were not affected by the adenovirus. The levels of phosphor-NF-κB p65 subunit and phosphor-p38 MAPK protein in the nuclei of KCs were increased upon the stimula-tion with LPS. Treatment of KCs with IRF3 shRNA showed no significant effects on nuclear phosphor-NF-κB p65 subunit and phosphor-p38 MAPK. Conclusion Transfection of LPS-stimulated primary KCs with ade-novirus strains carrying IRF3 shRNA could effectively inhibit the expression of IRF3 and the transduction of downstream signals. IRF3 enhanced the secretion of TNF-αand IL-1β, but inhibited the expression of IL-10 in LPS-treated KCs. The LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK in KCs were not affected by IRF3 signal.

Objective To compare in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer( IVF-ET ) outcome of gonadotropin-releasing hormone( GnRH ) antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS)and to provide reference for rational selection of ovulation stimulation protocol for PCOS patients. Methods One hundred and four patients with PCOS who underwent IVF-ET were randomly divided into two groups. In the study group,41 patients were subjected to the GnRH antagonist protocol;In the control group,63 patients were subjected to a long protocol of GnRH agonist. Doses and duration of gonadotropin therapy,the thickness of endometrium and the profile of hormone level on the day of HCG administration,the number of retrieved oocytes,the ratio of fertilization,the ratio of cleavage,the ratio of the good quantity embryos,implantation rate of embryo,pregnancy rate,the cycle cancellation rate and the incidence rate of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome( OHSS)were recorded. Results The IVF-ET outcome of the two groups was similar with respects to the number of oocytes,the ratio of fertilization,the ratio of cleavage,implantation rate of embryo and the pregnancy rate( P﹥0. 05). Significant differences were found(P﹤0. 05)between the two groups regarding to the doses and duration of gonadotropin therapy,the levels of serum E2 and LH on the day of HCG administration,and the cycle cancellation rate. The incidence rate of OHSS was not significantly different ( 2. 44% vs. 12. 70%) between the two groups. Conclusion The duration of gonadotropins administration,the cycle cancellation rate,incidence of OHSS and the financial burdern are reduced in patients treated with GnRH antagonist. The growth of follicle,the ratio of fertilization,the ratio of cleavage,implantation rate of embryo and the pregnancy rate are not different between the two methods. The GnRH antagonist protocol is optimal for patients with PCOS.

Objective To investigate the impacts of adenovirus on the transfection efficiency and proliferative activity of primary Kupffer cells (KCs). Methods Rat liver KCs were separated and purified by density gradient centrifugation , and was then transfected with adenovirus carrying green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene at different multiplicity of infection (MOI). After 24 h, the transfection efficiency was evaluated by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The proliferative activity of KCs was assessed by colorimetric method. Results The positive percentages of GFP staining cells were statistically different among different doses of adenovirus (MOI 0, 100, 300, 500, 700 and 900) under fluorescence microscopy or by flow cytometry (P <0.05 for all comparisons). The cell proliferative activity had significant differences among MOI 300, 500, 700 and 900(P < 0.05 for all comparisons), but had no differences among MOI 0, 100 and 300 (P > 0.05 for all comparisons) by CCK8 assay. Conclusions KCs can effectively be transfected by GFP adenovirus; and with an increase in virus MOI, the transfection efficiency rises gradually. A higher dose of adenovirus may have a negative effect on cell proliferative.

Objective:To investigate the effects of IRF 3 shRNA adenovirus on dynamic changes of early cytokines in LPS-stimulated primary Kupffer cells ( KCs ).Methods: Rat KCs were isolated and purified by means of in situ perfusion.After being infected with adenovirus carrying IRF 3 shRNA for 48 h, KCs were stimulated with LPS.Cell culture supernatants were collected respectively at 0,2,4 and 6 h after LPS stimulation as well as cells at 6 h.Supernatant cytokine secretion levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA).Intracellular gene expressions were tested by RT-PCR and Westeron blot.Results:IRF3 mRNA and protein were induced by LPS ,but suppressed by IRF 3 shRNA adenovirus in LPS-stimulated or non-stimulated KCs.IFN-βsecretions rose in the very early stage ( at 2 h) ,reached the peak at 4 h,and began to reduce but still remained high levels at 6 h after LPS stimulation in KCs.Interference adenovirus pretreatment suppressed IFN-βsecretions ( especially the secretion peak ) at each time point after LPS stimulation.IFN-βsecretions reached normal levels at 6 h after the stimulation in adenovirus-pretreated cells;TNF-αse-cretions rapidly increased in the very early stage and reached the peak at 2 h,then began to decrease gradually ,but remained high levels at 6 h after LPS stimulation in KCs.Interference adenovirus pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced TNF-αsecretions, especially the secretion peak;IL-1βsecretions did not increase untill 4 h, but reached a higher level at 6 h after LPS stimulation.Interference adenovirus suppressed IL-1βsecretions in the early stage of LPS stimulation;IL-10 secretions began to rise in the very early stage ,and gradually increased over time after LPS stimulation in KCs.Pretreatment of adenovirus with IRF 3 shRNA promoted upregulations of IL-10 secretions at each time point of the early of LPS stimulation.Conclusion:IRF3 gene expression can be silenced by IRF 3 shRNA ad-enovirus.IRF3 can promote its downstream signaling molecule IFN-βand pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-αand IL-1β,and block anti-inflammation cytokine IL-10 secretions in LPS-stimulated primary KCs.Therefore,IRF3 may play a central role in immune inflammatory injury of liver tissues.

Objective:To investigate the changes of gene expression profile in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary Kupffer cells ( KCs ) . Methods: Rat KCs were isolated and purified by means of in situ perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. After being identified by ink phagocytosis and ED2 staining test,KCs were stimulated with LPS. Gene expression profile were studied using gene microarrays,and the most significant upregulated gene was verified using real-time PCR. Results:27 genes were upregulated including Ces1f, Slc17a3, Slc21a4, Hsd17b2, Sorbs2, Ccdc116, Mgam, Myo5b, Etl4, Fabp1, Kif4b, Fosl1, Cyp4a1, Penk, Tmem221,Rpl5,Nr2f1,Hoxb1,Gpr165,Fam90a13p,Kpna6,Irak1bp1,Kcnh1 and 4 unnamed genes and 4 downregulated including Oc90,Tagln,Arxes2 and Olr830 in LPS-stimulated KCs. Among the upregulated genes, Ces1f was the most significant upregulatory gene. Real-time PCR confirmed that the levels of Ces1f were 23. 88 times higher in LPS-stimulated than control cells. Conclusion:There is a significant difference between LPS-stimulated and normal control cells in gene expression profile by microarray analysis,and Ces1f is the most significantly upregulated gene.

Objective To assess the altered regional homogeneity (ReHo) of local intrinsic cerebral activity within sensorimotor network(SMN) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) before or after spinal cord decompression using functional MRI (fMRI). Methods Twenty-one CSM patients who would decompress spinal canal, and 21 healthy volunteers (age, gender and level of education matched) were enrolled from June 2013 to April 2014. All the patients underwent rs-fMRI examination before and 3 months after spinal cord decompression. ReHo measurement was performed statistically within a SMN mask. A second-level random-effect 2-tailed Student's t test was applied to compare the ReHo results between pre-and post-operation CSM patients and healthy volunteers. A second-level paired 2-tailed Student's t test was applied to compare the ReHo results between pre-and post-operation CSM patients. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlations between the altered ReHo and clinical evaluation. Results Compared with healthy volunteers, pre-operation patients showed significantly lower ReHo in the left postcentral gyrus/precentral gyrus, together with enhanced ReHo in the right superior parietal lobule (GRF correction, P<0.05). Post-operation CSM patients showed significantly lower ReHo in the right superior parietal lobule comparing with healthy volunteers, as well as enhanced ReHo in the left postcentral gyrus/precentral gyrus comparing with pre-operation (GRF correction, P<0.05). Abnormal ReHo areas in CSM patients demonstrated no significant correlation with clinical measurements (P>0.05) between pre-operation and post-operation. Conclusions Myelopathy in cervical cord may affect intrinsic cerebral activity, as patients with CSM show disrupted regional homogeneity within sensorimotor network. The change of ReHo following decompression suggests that central plasticity may influence functional recovery.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of a classification prediction model for gamma pass rates (GPRs) under different intensity-modulated radiation therapy techniques for pelvic tumors using a radiomics-based machine learning approach, and compare the classification performance of four integrated tree models.Methods:With a retrospective collection of 409 plans using different IMRT techniques, the three-dimensional dose validation results were adopted based on modality measurements, with a GPR criterion of 3%/2 mm and 10% dose threshold. Then prediction were built models by extracting radiomics features based on dose documentation. Four machine learning algorithms were used, namely random forest (RF), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM). Their classification performance was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and AUC value. Results:The RF, AdaBoost, XGBoost, and LightGBM models had sensitivities of 0.96, 0.82, 0.93, and 0.89, specificities of 0.38, 0.54, 0.62, and 0.62, F1 scores of 0.86, 0.81, 0.88, and 0.86, and AUC values of 0.81, 0.77, 0.85, and 0.83, respectively. XGBoost model showed the highest sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and AUC value, outperforming the other three models. Conclusions:To build a GPR classification prediction model using a radiomics-based machine learning approach is feasible for plans using different intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques for pelvic tumors, providing a basis for future multi-institutional collaborative research on GPR prediction.

The studies on infectiousness of person infected with SARS-CoV-2 at different stages of illness are an important basis for making effective prevention and control measures such as investigating the infectious source, determining the scope of close contacts and the timing of case isolation. This review discusses the infectiousness of cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the incubation period, symptomatic period and convalescent period by reviewing national and international literatures, technical and professional guidelines. Existing researches suggest that the infectious viruses could be isolated at the end of the incubation period as well as since illness onset, and viral load in upper respiratory tract swabs reached the peak on day 4-6 after illness onset and thereafter began to decline, implying the infectiousness was relatively strong at the end of incubation period and within one week after illness onset. Although there were a few cases who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after recovery, no evidence was found to indicate these cases can cause the transmission.

The Chinese space station will be built around 2020. As a national space laboratory, it will offer unique opportunities for studying the physiological effects of weightlessness and the efficacy of the countermeasures against such effects. In this paper, we described the development of countermeasure systems in the Chinese space program. To emphasize the need of the Chinese space program to implement its own program for developing countermeasures, we reviewed the literature on the negative physiological effects of weightlessness, the challenges of completing missions, the development of countermeasure devices, the establishment of countermeasure programs, and the efficacy of the countermeasure techniques in American and Russian manned spaceflights. In addition, a brief overview was provided on the Chinese research and development on countermeasures to discuss the current status and goals of the development of countermeasures against physiological problems associated with weightlessness.
China ; Humans ; Program Evaluation ; Space Flight ; Weightlessness ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVE：To study the anti- inflammatory effect and mechanism of Jingulian capsule on inflammatory model rats. METHODS ：Totally 48 rats were randomly divided into blank control group ，model group ，Jingulian capsule low-dose ， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.66，1.32，2.64 g/kg），dexamethasone group （positive control ，0.945 mg/kg），with 8 rats in each group. Blank control group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically ，and other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrocally ，twice a day ，for consecutive 3 days. Thirty minutes after last administration ，model group and administration groups were given lipopolysaccharide （10 mg/kg）intraperitoneally to induce inflammatory model. Six hours after intraperitoneal injection ，the contents of TNF-α，IL-1β，IL-6，PGE2 in serum were detected by ELISA. The wet to dry weight （W/D）ratio of lung tissue were determined. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue . RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TNF-α，IL-6，PGE2 and IL- 1β in lung tissue. Western blot assay was used to detect the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 protein and the expression of IκBα protein in lung tissue. RESULTS：Compared with blank ； control group ，the contents of TNF-α，IL-1β，IL-6 and PGE 2 in serum ，the W/D ratio of lung tissue ，the expression of TNF-α，IL-1β，IL-6 and PGE 2 mRNA and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue of model group weresignificantly increased ，and the expression of IκBα proteinwas significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；a large number of alveolar atrophy and collapse ，alveolar wall thickening ，lung consolidation ，and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration could be seen in lung tissue. Compared with model group ，the contents of TNF-α，IL-1β（except for low-dose group ）， IL-6 and PGE 2 in serum ，as well as the expression of TNF-α（except for high-dose group ），IL-1β，IL-6（except for low-dose ， high-dose groups ）and PGE 2 mRNA in lung tissue were decreased significantly in Jingulian capsule groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the W/D ratio of lung tissue was decreased significantly in Jingulian high-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the expression of phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue of Jingulian medium-dose group were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the expression of IκBα protein was increased significantly（P＜0.05）；the alveolar structure was clear ，the alveolar wall was slightly thickened ， and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS：Jingulian capsule has good anti-inflammatory effect on inflammatory model rats ，the mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB signal pathway.