OBJECTIVETo investigate serum IL-18 levels in mice with collagen-induced arthritis treated by recombinant adenoviral vector containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene (AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4).

METHODSArthritis was induced by injection of collagen in male DBA-1/BOM mice. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were intra-articularly injected with 10(7)pfu/6μL of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4; and in mice of control groups AdLacZ or PBS were used. The animals were sacrificed at week 1, 2 and 4 after treatment. Serum IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA at the different time points.

RESULTThe mean serum levels of IL-18 at weeks 1, 2, and 4 after injection of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 were (36.5±5.4)ng/L, (32.5 ± 3.2) ng/L and (28.7 ±2.9)ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those at the same time point of AdLacZ group [(66.2 ±5.1)ng/L, (69.2 ±4.2)ng/L and (77.7 ±3.9)ng/L] and PBS group [(67.3 ±7.1)ng/L, (71.9 ±1.8)ng/L and (78.7±4.1)ng/L] (P<0.01 at all time points). In the therapy group, there were no significant differences in the mean serum concentrations of IL-18 at all time points.

CONCLUSIONThe serum IL-18 levels in CIA mice are down-regulated by treatment of recombinant adenovirus containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fuse gene, which might be a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; therapy ; Gene Fusion ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the activity of dendritic cells (DCs) after carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) gene transfection mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type2 (rAAV) and tumor cell lysate.

METHODSImmature DCs isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of HLA-A11-positive healthy volunteers were infected with the rAAV carrying CEA gene or loaded with tumor cell lysate. The surface markers of the DCs such as CD40, CD 1alpha, and CD86 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the supernatants of DCs and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) released by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were determined by ELISA detection kit. The specific killing activity of CTL against LoVo cells was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe DCs following antigen loading with the two methods both highly expressed CD40, CD86 and IL-12, and induced specific CTL that specifically recognized and killed LoVo cells, but the killing effect resulting from rAAV infection of the DCs was much better than that induced by tumor cell lysate loading.

CONCLUSIONBoth methods of antigen loading can induce mature DCs from peripheral blood monocyte cells, but rAAV infection of the DCs can be more effective than tumor cells lysate loading. DCs infected with rAAV may have the potential to serve as an adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with colorectal carcinoma.

B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Transfection

The human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), one of the most essential conjugative enzymes, is responsible for the metabolism and detoxification of bilirubin and other endogenous substances, as well as many different xenobiotic compounds. Deciphering UGT1A1 relevance to human diseases and characterizing the effects of small molecules on the activities of UGT1A1 requires reliable tools for probing the function of this key enzyme in complex biological matrices. Herein, an easy-to-use assay for highly-selective and sensitive monitoring of UGT1A1 activities in various biological matrices, using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD), has been developed and validated. The newly developed LC-FD based assay has been confirmed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision, quanti-tative linear range and stability. One of its main advantages is lowering the limits of detection and quantification by about 100-fold in comparison to the previous assay that used the same probe substrate, enabling reliable quantification of lower amounts of active enzyme than any other method. The precision test demonstrated that both intra- and inter-day variations for this assay were less than 5.5％. Further-more, the newly developed assay has also been successfully used to screen and characterize the regu-latory effects of small molecules on the expression level of UGT1A1 in living cells. Overall, an easy-to-use LC-FD based assay has been developed for ultra-sensitive UGT1A1 activities measurements in various biological systems, providing an inexpensive and practical approach for exploring the role of UGT1A1 in human diseases, interactions with xenobiotics, and characterization modulatory effects of small mole-cules on this conjugative enzyme.

Objective To establish of a close loop blood information system forreal time monitoring in the entire process of clinical blood transfusion.Methods In accordance with files and laws in clinical blood transfusion and combining the work in blood transfusion department with the actual needs of clinical blood transfusion,the blood transfusion department in Shaanxi Provinical People's Hospital developed the close-loop blood information system with Skynet Software Co.Ltd.Results The close-loop blood information system was achieved informational management patternthat was detailed information from blood products arrival to departure and whole process of evaluation transfusion effect.The link of Hospital Information Manage System (HIS),Laboratory Information System (LIS) and blood information system was completed with the system.The system realized real-time and accurate data collection and monitoring.The system achieved a closed-loop management of the entire process of clinical blood transfusion.Conclusion By using theclose loop blood information system,the quality of medical services can be improved,the work productivity can be increased,and the clinical blood transfusion can be rationalized.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute erythroleukemia (AEL, AML-M6). The clinical features and results of morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular biologic detections were retrospectively analyzed in 13 cases of AEL from 305 acute leukemia patients hospitalized between October 2007 and October 2012. The results showed that the expression of erythroid and non-erythroid cells increased at the same time. The myeloid antigens mainly expressed CD13/CD33/CD117/CD34, while the erythroid antigens expressed Gly and CD71. The karyotypic detection indicated that there were 1 case with normal karyotype, 3 cases with simple karyotypic abnormality and 2 cases with complex karyotypic abnormality, the other cases were not detected. The molecular biological detection found that the poor prognosis gene existed in 5 cases [38.5% (5/13)], including 3 cases with MLL-MLL fusion gene, 1 case with MLL mutation, and 1 cases with NRAS gene mutation, the abnormal genes were not detected in remainder 8 cases. After chemotherapy with decitabine, the complete remission (CR) rate achieved 53.5% (7/13), partial remission (DR) rate achieved 15.4% (2/13). Finally, 8 patients received allo-HSCT, the median overall survival (OS) was 20.7 months, 3 year survival rate was 79%, 3 year disease-free survival rate was 78%. It is concluded that the acute erythroleukemia is a rare subtype of AML, which is transformed from MDS and has harmful genes and poor prognosis. Allo-HSCT and treatment with decitabine may enhance the survival rate of AEL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the surveillance data on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) including the epidemiological characteristics and trend of the disease,in 2010.Methods Descriptive methods were conducted to analyze the surveillance data in 2010 which were collected from the internet-based National Notifiable Disease Reporting System and 40 HFRS sentinels in China.Results There were 9526 cases of HFRS reported in 2010 in the country with an annual morbidity of 0.71/105,which was higher than that reported in 2009.And the case fatality rate in 2010 was 1.24％.During the year 2010,most cases were reported in spring and autumn-winter season,with November as the peak month.The proportion of cases reported in autumn-winter season was higher than that in spring.The number of cases reported in males was higher than that in females among all the age groups,and similar pattern of mortality could be seen in most of the age groups.The percentage of cases over 60 years old had increased in recent years.Farmers were still under the highest risk.Density and the virus-carrying rate of animal hosts,as well as the infection rate were relatively stable and similar to the previous findings.As to the prevailing species,Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus were still the most common and leading animal hosts.However,the dominant species in sentinel of Yunnan were Rattus flavipectus and Eothenomys miletus respectively,and a new hantavirus called LUXV was found,namely Eothenomys miletus.Conclusion HFRS cases were widely distributed in most provinces of China,but cases mainly focus on certain areas and present the nature of aggregation.The risk of outbreak could not be ruled out for variety of factors.Population characteristics and seasonal fluctuation had been changing.

Objective Using simple quantitative methods to describe the seasonal distribution of rabies in different provinces of China and to analyze how it was influenced by geographical settings,to provide evidence for risk assessment and prediction of potential epidemics of rabies.Methods A total number of 17 800 clinical and laboratory confirmed rabies cases,reported by 29 provinces,from 2005 to 2011 and related data were collected from National Disease Reporting Information System.Data on related latitudes and longitudes of different provinces were obtained from the National Geographic Information Center.Excel 2003 was used to draw the national and provincial seasonal distribution curves while SPSS 18.0 was used to calculate parameters as P25,P50,P75,inter-quartile range Q and kurtosis so as analyze the linear correlation between P25,kurtosis and the latitude of different provinces respectively.Results The nation-wide incidence of rabies was low in February.The peaks fell in summer and autumn,especially in August.Seasonal distribution curves of P25,P50,P75,inter-quartile range (Q) and kurtosis were different among provinces.Compared to the low latitude areas,high latitude areas had higher P25,smaller Q and higher kurtosis.In 9 provinces where the annual reported number of cases more than 100,the related coefficients (r) between latitude and both P25,kurtosis were 0.9342 and 0.8528 respectively (P＜0.05).Conclusion There was a distinct seasonality of rabies occurrence in China which was correlated to the geographical settings which was more obvious in the higher latitude areas.

Objective To assess the effect of isosorbide dinitrate on the improvement of cardiac function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by regulating myocardial cells apoptosis..Methods Total of 30 domestic pigs were divided into three groups randomly (random mumber) after anesthetization:the sham group (n=6),the control group (n=12),and the isosorbide dinitrate group (n=12).Cardiac arrest of ventricular fibrillation was induced by programed electrical stimulation in the control and isosorbide dinitrate groups.Isosorbide dinitrate was infused at the rate of 2 μg/(kg·min) in the isosorbide dinitrate group.Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and cardiac output (CO) were recorded at baseline,2,6,12 and 24 h after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).Myocardial enzyme and heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) was tested at the same time points.At 24 h after ROSC,the animals were sacrificed to obtain the myocardium for pathological section and Western blot.The expression of Bcl-2,Bax and activated Caspase-3 were tested and apoptosis was tested by TUNEL and apoptosis index was calculated.Results Right atrial pressure (RAP) increased after ROSC and decreased in the isosorbide dinitrate group compared with the control group (P＜0.05).CPP at 12,24 h after ROSC and CO at 24 h after ROSC in the isosorbide dinitrate group increased significantly compared with the control group (both P＜0.05).HE staining revealed that the injury of myocardial cells was ameliorated in the isosorbide dinitrate group.Apoptosis index of the isosorbide dinitrate group significantly decreased than the control group [(37.8±15.5)％ vs (13.1±0.5)％,P＜0.05].The expression of Bax and activated Caspase-3 decreased while Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax increased after ROSC in the isosorbide dinitrate group compared with the control group (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Isosorbide dinitrate could improve the isehemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac function after ROSC by inhibiting apoptosis regulated with Caspase-3 pathway.

Purpose: This study investigated the value of synchronous tele-ultrasonography (TUS) for naive operators in thyroid ultrasonography (US) examinations. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were included in this prospective, parallel-controlled trial. Thyroid scanning and diagnosis were completed by resident A independently, resident B with guidance from a US expert through synchronous TUS, and an on-site US expert. The on-site expert’s findings constituted the reference standard. Two other off-site US experts analyzed all data in a blind manner. Inter-operator consistency between the two residents and the on-site US expert for thyroid size measurements, nodule measurements, nodule features, American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) categories, and image quality was compared. Two questionnaires were completed to evaluate the clinical benefit. Results: Resident B detected more nodules consistent with the on-site expert than resident A did (89.4% vs. 56.5%, P<0.001). Resident B achieved excellent consistency with the on-site expert in terms of ACR TI-RADS categories, nodule composition, shape, echogenic foci, and vascularity (all intra-class correlation coefficients [ICCs] >0.75), while resident A achieved lower consistency in ACR TI-RADS categories, composition, echogenicity, margin, echogenic foci, and vascularity (all ICCs 0.40-0.75). Residents A and B had excellent consistency in target nodule measurements (all ICCs >0.75). Resident B achieved better performance than resident A for gray values, time gain compensation, depth, color Doppler adjustment, and the visibility of key information (all P<0.05). Furthermore, 61.9% (60/97) of patients accepted synchronous TUS, and 59.8% (58/97) patients were willing to pay for it. Conclusion Synchronous TUS can help inexperienced residents achieve comparable thyroid diagnostic capability to a US expert.

OBJECTIVESOrthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an accepted therapy for selected patients with advanced liver diseases. However, the early mortality rate after OLT remains relatively high due to the poor selection of candidates with various serious conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the value of pretransplantation artificial liver support treatment in reducing the pre-operation risk factors relating to early mortality after OLT.

METHODS50 adult patients in various stages of different etiologies who underwent OLT procedures had been treated with molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) preoperatively. The study was designed in two parts: the first one was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single MARS therapy by using some clinical and laboratory parameters which were supposed to be therapeutical pretransplantation risk factors. The second part was to study the patients undergoing OLT by using the regression analysis on preoperation risk factors relating to early (within 30 d after OLT) mortality rate.

RESULTSAmong the 50 patients, a statistically significant improvement of the biochemical parameters was observed (pretreatment vs posttreatment). 8 patients cancelled their scheduled LTXs due to significant improvements in their clinical conditions or recovery of their failing liver functions. 8 patients died and 34 patients successfully underwent LTX. The immediate outcome (within 30 postoperative days) of these 34 patients was that 28 were kept alive and 6 died.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperation sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), level of creatinine, INR, TNFalpha, and IL-10 are the main preoperative risk factors relating to early death after an operation. MARS treatment before a transplant operation can relieve these factors significantly, hence improve survival rate of liver transplantation or even make the transplantation unnecessary.

Aged ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Care ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood