This article briefly reviewed CD95-CD95L system-induced apoptosis, and also induced resistance to apoptosis, and immune privilege.

Objective To investigate the inserting technique of biliary double stents in treating hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods 6 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Bismuth Ⅳ) were treated by percutaneous transhepatic insertion of biliary stents. Double stents were inserted in each patient. Different inserting methods were adopted acording to the branch angles formed by left and right hepatic ducts. Results The jaundice of all patients alleviated or disappeared obviously after stent implantation. The average difference between post-and pre-operation in the serium total bilirubin level was (104?29) ?mol/L(P

AIM: To study the change in cognitive function in derogative state of different neurotransmitter by mensurating P300 amplitude and latency. METHODS: Acetylcholine (ACh) system was disfunctioned by severing fimbrial-fornix(FF) transaction and Norepinephrine (NE) system impaired by injection of 6-hydroxysopamine into the bilateral dorsal noradrenergic bundle in DG. Then Y-type maze test and elicitation of P3-like latency were carried out separately before and after the all models were built. RESULTS: In both experimental groups, P3-like latency was prolonged significantly compared with the control and had positive correlation with indices of Y-maze test(EN,TRT). CONCLUSION: ACh and NE are important in the production and conformity of P300.

The abnormality of the central noradrenergic system in Alzheimer's disease has two cases: decrease or increase. The former is easy to be understood, because it is resulted from the outstanding forfeit of the noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus locus ceruleus (nLC); but the noradrenalin concentration does not change and enen increase, it seems to disagree with the loss of the noradrenergic neurons in the nLC. This article put emphasis on it, enumerated the related evidence and analyzed the possible causes. At present time, the drugs to increase noradrenalin is used mostly in clinic. This paper summarized it and put forth our own opinions.

Large number of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations are responsible for a wide spectrum of disease expressions in CF (cystic fibrosis). They includs not only the malfunction of the lung and pancreas, intestinal obstruction, and incapable of salt reabsorption, but also some kinds of male infertility, such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD),poor sperm quality, the obstruction and agenesis of the epididymis. More recent studies have indicated that CFTR gene mutations have a far-reaching effect on human reproduction.

AIM:To explore the roles of brain-stem auditory evoked potential(BAEP) in early monitoring the hearing loss and brain damages in hyperbilirubinemia and nitric oxide(NO) in the pathogenesis of bilirubin-induced hearing loss and brain damages.METHODS:Different doses of bilirubin solution(30 mg/kg,60 mg/kg,90 mg/kg,120 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) were injected into the abdominal cavity of 15-day old SD rats to make the animal model of hyperbilirubinemia.The serum concentrations of bilirubin were detected by a micro-gauge.The bilirubin concentrations in the brain tissues were examined via a diazo method.The Na+-K+ATPase activities in the brain tissues were analyzed by rooting phosphorus.The NO contents in the brain tissues were assayed via the method of nitrate reductase.BAEP were recorded with an evoked potential recorder.RESULTS:After making the ejection,parts of the rats in the high dosage groups(120 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) showed the abnormal neuro-behaviors.After 6 hours of the ejection,the bilirubin concentrations in serum and in brain tissues,and NO contents in the brain tissues were increased significantly.The Na+-K+ATPase activities in the brain tissues were decreased obviously,and the PL and IPL of BAEP were prolonged significantly in all the experimental rats except the ones in low dosage group(30 mg/kg).The changes of them were closely related to the dose of injected bilirubin.CONCLUSION:The PL and IPL of BAEP are the objective and sensitive indexes for early monitoring the hearing loss and brain damages in hyperbilirubinemia.NO may plays a certain role in the pathogenesis of bilirubin induced hearing loss and brain damages.

Objective To investigate the immunological effects of thymoglobulin (RATG) on human CD4+and CD8+cells for costimulatory molecule gene expression and the production ofimmune-regulatory cytokines. Methods CD4+and CI8+T cells were isolated and purified fromnormal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) followed by incubation with RATG at37℃. Cells and culture supematants were collected at 24, 48, and 72 h after incubation, and analyzedby real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CTLA-4, CD154, forkhead box P3(Foxp3), OX40, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 and CD25 gene expression, and multiplex cytokine detectionassay for IFN-y, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-4 production. Untreated and rabbit isotype Ig-treated cells wereused as negative controls. Results RT-PCR demonstrated that RATG pre-treated CI+and CD8+cells upregulated the expression of CTLA-4, OX40, Foxp3, CD25, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-2 genes, anda dramatic increase of supernatant IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-4 was revealed 24 h after treatment asdetermined by multiplex cytokine detection assay when compared with negative controls. Theupre gulation of CTLA-4, Foxp3, OX40, IL-10 and CD25 was reduced, and a down-regulation ofCD154 and IL-2 gene expression was revealed 48 h after treatment. Cells, treated with RATG for 72h, demonstrated up-regulation of CTLA-4, Foxp3, OX40, IFN-y and CD25 gene expression, and theexpression of IL-2 and IL-10 genes was down-regulated. Additionally, supernatant IFN-γ, IL-2,IL-10 and IL-4 levels were decreased. Conclusion RATG stimulates CI4/CD8 T cells to up-regulatecostimulatory molecules and release immune regulation associated cytokines IF'N-γ, IL-2, IL-10in vitro. These results suggest that the unique effect of RATG on CD4+CD8+T cells may be animportant mechanism for its action in inducing immunoregulation, immunosuppression and transplanttolerance.

Objective To explore the expression and the role of monocyte-derived costimulatory molecuels during xenogeneic immune responses. Methods Porcine endothelial cells (PEC) were isolated from aorta, and subcultures were performed. CD4+ cells and monocytes were purified from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC-PEC co-cultures were established, and the cells were collected followed by staining with florescent-labeled monoclonal antibodies and analyzing by FACS. In selected experiments, monoclonal antibodies specific for CD154, CD80 and CD86 were added into PBMC-PEC co-cultures, and the effects of co-stimulatory molecule blockade in inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation in response to PEC were determined by 3H-thymidine up-take. The proliferation of CD4+ cells induced by PEC-conditioned monocytes with or without co-stimulation blockade was evaluated. Results PBMC-PEC co-incubation demonstrated dramatic lymphocyte proliferation as determined by 3H-thymidine up-take. FACS found that resting monocytes expressed only CD86 but not CD40 and CD80. CD14+ monocytes from PEC-stimulated PBMC demonstrated up-regulation of CD80 and CD40 expression. The up-regulation of CD86 was revealed. PEC-activated monocytes induced CD4+ cell proliferation while resting monocytes did not and this proliferation was inhibited by anti-CD154, anti-CD80 or anti-CD86 antibodies. Conclusions CD14+ monocytes play an important role during xenogeneie immune responses in indirect antigen presentation and co-stimulation- The interaction between monocyte-derived co-stimulatory molecules and CD4+ cell-derived CD154 and CD28 delivers secondary signal and induces CD4+ proliferation, and the co-stimulation blockade inhibits xe-nogeneic cell-mediated immune responses.

Objective Delayed xenograft rejection (DXR) is a major barrier to the long-term xenograft survial.This study evaluated the interaction between human peripheral blood mononuelear cells (PBMC) and porcine endothelial cells (PEC),and the effects of new generation of rabbit antihuman leukocyte polyclonal antibody (newRALG) inhibiting xenogeneic cell-mediated immune responses.Methods newRALG was obtained from rabbits after immunization with activated lymphocytes and monoeytes.PEC were isolated from aorta,and human PBMC were isolated from peripheral blood.Co-cultures of PKH-26 labeled PEC with PBMC were established,newRALG,thymoglobulin,isotype Ig and scavenger receptor (SR) ligand poly G were added into the co-cultures.Cells were collected,then FACS analysis was carried out to detect the up-take of PEC membrane by monocytes and the expression of costimulatory molecules.Lymphocyte proliferative responses to PEC with or without antibody were evaluated by a xenogeneie mixed lymphocyte-endothelial cell reaction (xMLER).Results FACS analysis revealed that monocytes from PBMC-PEC co-cultures became positive for PKH-26 following their interaction with PKH-26 labeled PEC,indicating that they engulfed PEC membranes during activation.PKH-26 positive monocytes up-regulated the CD40 and CD80 expression.Furthermore,SR blockade with poly-G prevented PEC membrane up-take by monocytes,newRALG greatly reduced SR-mediated PEC membrane up-take.The effects of thymoglobulin in inhibiting PEC membrane uptake were limited.xMLER demonstrated strong lymphocyte proliferation in response to PEC,and lymphocyte proliferation was dramatically inhibited by newRALG but not isotype Ig at a dosmdependent manner.Conclusions Monocytes play an important role in xenogeneic immune responses.SR ligand poly G inhibits PEC membrane up-take.newRALG inhibits PEC membrane up-take by monocytes,suggesting that newRALG blocks SR.Additionally,newRALG inhibits lymphocyte proliferation in response to PEC.These results suggest that this new polyclonal preparation may thus impair the initiation of xeno-specific immune responses and prevent xenograft rejection.

AIM: To observe the relationship between noradrenaline and the synaptic configuration in rat hippocampus CA3 area. METHODS: Noradrenergic system injured models were produced by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine into rats' bilateral dorsal noradrenergic bundle. Then Y-type maze tests and elicitation of P3-like were carried out respectively before and after the model was established. The parameters of synaptic configuration in the hippocampus CA3 areas were also analyzed quantitatively. RESULTS: The decreases in the thickness of postsynaptic density material, the curvature of synaptic interface and the occurrence of perforated synapses, and the increase in the width of synaptic cleft were observed. CONCLUSION: The normal noradrenalin level in hippocampus is necessary to maintain the normal synaptic interface ultrastructure in hippocampus CA3 area.