Background: Brucella infection induces brucellosis, a zoonotic disease. The intracellular circulation process and virulence of Brucella mainly depend on its type IV secretion system (T4SS) expressing secretory effectors. Secreted protein BspJ is a nucleomodulin of Brucella that invades the host cell nucleus. BspJ mediates host energy synthesis and apoptosis through interaction with proteins. However, the mechanism of BspJ as it affects the intracellular survival of Brucella remains to be clarified. Objectives: To verify the functions of nucleomodulin BspJ in Brucella's intracellular infection cycles. Methods: Constructed Brucella abortus BspJ gene deletion strain (B. abortus ΔBspJ) and complement strain (B. abortus pBspJ) and studied their roles in the proliferation of Brucella both in vivo and in vitro. Results: BspJ gene deletion reduced the survival and intracellular proliferation of Brucellaat the replicating Brucella-containing vacuoles (rBCV) stage. Compared with the parent strain, the colonization ability of the bacteria in mice was significantly reduced, causing less inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. We also found that the knockout of BspJ altered the secretion of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ) in host cells and in mice to affect the intracellular survival of Brucella. Conclusions BspJ is extremely important for the circulatory proliferation of Brucella in the host, and it may be involved in a previously unknown mechanism of Brucella's intracellular survival.

Objective To observe the effect of microRNA-155 (miR-155) on the inflammatory response of rat alveolar macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods The alveolar macrophages NR8383 of rat were cultured in vitro, the macrophages in logarithmic growth phase were harvested to conduct experiment. ① The 1 mg/L LPS was used to stimulate the rat alveolar macrophages for 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) control group was also set up. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the dynamic changes of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the supernatant, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the dynamics expression of miR-155 in the cells, which confirmed the optimal time for LPS stimulation was 12 hours. ② Carboxyfluorescein (FAM) labeled mimic (FAM mimic) and inhibitor (FAM inhibitor) were used to transfect the alveolar macrophage, and the transfection effect was observed under inverted fluorescence microscope 6 hours later to confirm the optimal transfection concentration of mimic was 20 nmol/L, and the optimal transfection concentration of inhibitor was 100 nmol/L. miR-155 mimic and miR-155 inhibitor were transfected to alveolar macrophages respectively at the optimal transfection concentration for 24 hours, and 1 mg/L LPS was used to stimulate the cells for 12 hours. A mimic negative control + LPS group and an inhibitor negative control + LPS group were set up. The expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the supernatant were determined by ELISA to observe the regulation of miR-155 on inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages. Results ① After stimulation of 1 mg/L LPS on alveolar macrophages, the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in the supernatant and the expression of miR-155 in the cells were increased gradually with time prolongation, IL-1β and TNF-α contents peaked at 12 hours, and the expression of miR-155 peaked at 24 hours [as compared with PBS control group, IL-1β (ng/L): 910.43±36.09 vs. 22.66±7.84, TNF-α (ng/L): 3 138.39±394.10 vs. 233.92±8.84, miR-155 (2-ΔΔCt): 7.82±0.30 vs. 1, all P < 0.05]. ② Under inverted fluorescence microscope, after 20 nmol/L FAM mimic or 100 nmol/L FAM inhibitor transfected alveolar macrophages for 6 hours, a large number of cells showed green fluorescence, indicating that the transfection was successful. The expression of miR-155 in the cells transfected with 20 nmol/L miR-155 mimic was up-regulated by (236.73±46.49) times as much as that in the negative control group (P < 0.05), and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the supernatant of the cells stimulated by 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours were significantly lower than those in the negative control group [IL-1β (ng/L): 324.37±36.59 vs. 799.31±39.44, TNF-α (ng/L): 1 554.01±342.48 vs. 3 020.49±418.30, both P < 0.05]. The miR-155 activity was significantly inhibited in the cells transfected with 100 nmol/L miR-155 inhibitor, and the expression of miR-155 was decreased by (4.00±3.26)% as compared with the negative control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the supernatant of the cells stimulated by 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours were significantly higher than those in the negative control group [IL-1β (ng/L): 1 358.98±212.04 vs. 878.68±53.42, TNF-α (ng/L): 4 225.57±281.11 vs. 2 881.32±286.08, both P < 0.05]. Conclusion In LPS induced inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages, miR-155 plays an obvious inhibitory role.

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of lung protective ventilation and sequential recruitment maneuver (RM) on treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Sixty patients with SAP complicated with ARDS admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from April 2014 to March 2016 were enrolled. They were divided into control group and experimental group by random number table, 30 patients in each group. On the basis of comprehensive treatment, the patients in control group were treated with lung protective ventilation mode: low tidal volume ventilation (6 mL/kg) + optimal end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) ventilation mode, when the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was essentially returned to a normal level (Ⅰ grade intra-abdominal hypertension), the patients in experimental group were treated by the combination with RM therapy, and the rest treatment was the same as the control group. Under the two types of ventilation strategies, the clinical effects, respiratory mechanics, hemodynamics and arterial blood gas indexes were compared between the two groups. Results The mechanical ventilation time (days: 13.82±4.40 vs. 19.87±7.40), the length of ICU stay (days:22.67±4.40 vs. 26.43±5.39) and incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP: 16.67% (5/30) vs. 26.67% (8/30)] of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (all P < 0.05), the mortality rate of the experimental group was slightly lower than that of the control group [26.67% (8/30) vs. 30.00% (9/30)] without statistical significance (P > 0.05). Plateau pressure (Pplat) and the peak airway pressure (PIP) at each time point were decreased after treatment in both groups, while the static lung compliance (Cst), the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) were increased compared with those before treatment, especially the changes at 72 hours after recruitment in the experimental group were more significant than those in the control group [Pplat (cmH2O, 1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa):15.6±4.0 vs. 21.2±5.6, PIP (cmH2O): 18.3±5.0 vs. 25.1±5.4, Cst (mL/cmH2O): 41.2±4.8 vs. 31.2±6.0, PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 90.93±6.45 vs. 80.27±4.51, PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg): 238.33±18.31 vs. 185.83±11.14]. Heart rate [HR (bpm): 110.23±7.92 vs. 98.23±8.44] and the central venous pressure [CVP (mmHg): 8.62±1.52 vs. 6.32±1.42] were significantly higher than those before treatment, the mean arterial pressure [MAP (mmHg): 86.74±7.65 vs. 94.92±10.93] and cardiac output [CO (L/min): 5.32±1.36 vs. 6.42±1.32] were significantly reduced compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). The values of HR, MAP, CVP, CO at 5 minutes after recruitment were (97.87±5.77) bpm, (94.54±6.87) mmHg, (6.33±1.44) mmHg, (6.32±1.41) L/min, respectively. The changes of these parameters were not significant when compared with those of the basal conditions (P > 0.05) Conclusions Based on the lung protective ventilation in the early stage, sequential RM is applied in treatment of patients with SAP complicated with ARDS, after the IAP is essentially returned to a normal, which is beneficial to improving lung compliance, promoting oxygenation, shortening the time of mechanical ventilation, reducing the length of ICU stay, and decreasing the incidence of VAP without any obvious hemodynamic influence.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of transfected microRNA-146a (miR-146a) on mice with sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in vivo.Methods Twenty-four healthy male BALB/C mice were randomly divided into sham group, sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group, eachn = 6. Mice in transfection group were given miR-146a agomir loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM via airway before reproduction of model, and mice in transfection control group were given negative control loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM only via airway. The septic model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) 12 hours after transfection , and the mice in the sham group underwent laparotomy and closure only without ligation and puncture of the cecum. The mice of each group were sacrificed at 24 hours post-operation. The expression of miR-146a in lung tissue was determined by real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the quantity of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The wet/dry ratio of lung (W/D) was determined. The pathohistological changes in the lung were observed and scored. Results The expression of miR-146a showed a significant increase in sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group, which were (3.56±0.43), (27.64±3.46) and (3.72±0.54) folds of that in sham group, respectively (P< 0.05 orP< 0.01). The miR-146a expression in transfection group was significantly increased compared with sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01), but no statistical difference in the expression was found between sepsis group and transfection control group (P> 0.05). Compared with the sham group, higher level of TNF-αin the BALF was found in the sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group (ng/L: 511.65±43.47, 305.74±34.76, 492.27±42.21 vs. 50.72±7.23, allP< 0.01). The level of TNF-α in transfection group was significantly lower than that in sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01). Compared with the sham group, the W/D ratio of lung in sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group showed a significant increase (6.11±0.32, 5.02±0.29, 6.05±0.43 vs. 4.18±0.10, allP< 0.01). The W/D ratio of lung in transfection group was significantly lower than that of sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01). The lung injury score of transfection group was significantly lower than that of sepsis group and transfection control group (6.12±0.75 vs. 10.53±1.52, 9.73±1.08, bothP< 0.01).Conclusions miR-146a agomir loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM instillation into airway was able to increase the expression of miR-146a in the lung tissue of septic mice. Up-regulation of miR-146a inhibit the release of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α stimulated by sepsis, and alleviate inflammatory reaction and lung tissue injury in mice with sepsis-induced ALI.

BACKGROUNDNovel influenza A viruses of avian-origin may be the precursors of pandemic strains. This descriptive study aims to introduce a novel avian-origin influenza A (H10N8) virus which can infect humans and cause severe diseases.

METHODSCollecting clinical data of three cases of human infection with a novel reassortment avian influenza A (H10N8) virus in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.

RESULTSThree cases of human infection with a new reassortment avian influenza A(H10N8) virus were described, of which two were fatal cases, and one was severe case. These cases presented with severe pneumonia that progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and intractable respiratory failure.

CONCLUSIONThis novel reassortment avian influenza A (H10N8) virus in China resulted in fatal human infections, and should be added to concerns in clinical practice.

Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluoroquinolones ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Imipenem ; therapeutic use ; Influenza A Virus, H10N8 Subtype ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oseltamivir ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the identification and localization of Treponema pallidum (TP).Methods Rabbit anti-human TP polyclonal antibody labeled IHC was used to detect 20 paraffin-embedded biopsy samples from lesions of 14 patients with syphilis or suspected syphilis in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University from January 2004 to May 2012.Results TP was detected in 80％ of all the 20 samples by IHC assay,including 83.3％ (5/6) in patients with primary syphilis,100.0％ (10/10) in patients with secondary syphilis,and 25.0％ (1/4) in patients with tertiary syphilis,with a positive diagnostic accuracy of 100.0％.TP was mainly present in lower part of epidermis or perivascular,characterized by an endotheliotropic and epitheliotropic patterns or in the tissue of granulomatous inflammation.Besides,the density of TP was associated with types of lesions.There were more TP in the lesions of syphilis chancre,syphilis proctitis and condyloma latum,and fewer TP in the lesions of squamous erythema,greyish-black plaque,ulcer of chest wall from tertiary syphilis,and least in syphilitic lymphadenitis.There were no correlations between the quantity of TP and the rapid plasma regain (RPR) test titer (P＞0.05).Conclusions IHC for TP is of both high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of syphilis,suggesting that TP-IHC is helpful for the diagnosis of syphilis,especially for the diagnosis of early suspected syphilis with negative serological results,systemic damage of syphilis,or syphilis in untypical locations and unusual lesions.It can serve as an alternative method for the diagnosis of syphilis.

Objective To determine kinetics of TNF-α and miR-146a (microRNA-146a)expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NR8383 alveolar macrophages (AM) at different intervals and their relationships in order to explore regulatory effect and mechanism of miR-146a on alveolar macrophages inflammatory responses.Methods NR8383 alveolar macrophages were seeded in a 6-well plate,and stimulated with 1 μg/ml of LPS for 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h separately after 90 min.Cells were harvested and supernatant were collected 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h after incubation.The expressions of miR146a and TNF-α mRNA in cells were detected by real-time qPCR and the levels of TNF-α protein in the supematant of cells were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-146a and TNF-α mRNA.Results ①The level of TNF-α protein in the supernatant of cell was significantly increased 3 h after LPS challenge ( 359.80 ±57.54) pg/ml (P ＜0.01 ),and peaked 12 h later (729.22 ±50.40) pg/ml (P＜0.01 ) ; ②the expression of TNF-α mRNA peaked 3 h after LPS challenge (67.48 ±24.52) fold,P ＜0.01 ),and then decreased gradually; ③the expression of miR-146a mRNA increased continuously until 6 h or 12 h after LPS challenge 6 h:(5.33 ±0.81) fold,12 h:(8.21 ±1.19) fold,(P＜0.01),and it showed an upward tendency;④ the expression of miR-146a mRNA was negatively correlated with TNF-α mRNA ( r =-0.895,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The miR-146a mRNA showed a negative correlation with TNF-α mRNA present in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated alveolar macrophages,suggesting miR-146a mRNA involved in regulating the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages.

OBJECTIVETo develop a RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of liquiritin, naringin, hesperidin and glycyrrhizic acid in extraction of Wendan formula.

METHODDIKMA Diamonsil(2)-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used at 25 degrees C with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphatic acid in a gradient manner. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL min(-1). The detection wavelength was 237, 283 nm.

RESULTThe linear responses ranged from 0.0199-0.1191 microg for liquiritin (r = 0.9997, n = 6), 0.1800-1.0800 microg for naringin (r = 0.9997, n = 5), 0.1455-0.8730 microg for hesperidin (r = 0.9998, n = 6), 0.0393-0.2355 microg for monoammonium glycyrrhizinate (r = 0.9997, n = 6), respectively. The average recoveries were 97.7% with RSD 1.5% for liquiritin, 97.7% with RSD 2.0% for naringin, 97.1% with RSD 2.0% for hesperidin and 98.5% with RSD 1.9% for glycyrrhizic acid, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is quick, simple and repeatable for simultaneous determination of liquiritin, naringin, hesperidin and glycyrrhizic acid in extraction of Wendan formula.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Flavanones ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Hesperidin ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of triptolide on the differentiation of human Th17 cells.

METHODHuman peripheral blood mononuclear cells, purified CD4+ T cells and CD4+CD45RA- memory T cells were treated with various concentrations of triptolide in vitro. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the intracellular expression of IL-17 and IFN-gamma. Cytokine production of IL-17 and IFN-gamma was measured by ELISA.

RESULTCell proliferation, intracellular expression of IL-17 and IL-17 secretion were inhibited by triptolide in a dose-dependent manner. IFN-gamma expression and production were also inhibited by triptolide.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide inhibits the differentiation of human Th17 cell. The observation may indicate at least one of the mechanisms of the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of triptolide.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; secretion ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptors(TLRs) in condyloma acuminatum(CA) lesions and their possible roles in the pathogenesis of CA. Methods The expressions of TLR1-10 mRNA level in the lesions of CA and in the cervix scrape cells from the patients with human papillomavirus(HPV) negative chronic cervicitis were detected by real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR. HPV typing was detected by HPV GenoArray test kit. Results Low-risk HPV type 6 and type 11 were the most prevalent types in the forty CA cases with positive rate of 77.5% and 55% respectively. 55% CA patients were found infected with more than two types of HPV. 35% CA patients were concurrently infected with high-risk HPV. The expressions of TLR3, 7, 8 mRNA were higher than other TLRs and the expression of TLR9 mRNA was lower than others in the lesions of CA. No significant differences of the TLR1-10 mRNA levels were found between HPV6 and HPV11 positive CA lesions, so did it between low-risk and high-risk HPV concurrent infected CA lesions. The expressions of TLR1-3, TLR5-8, TLR10 mRNA, especially TLR2, TLR7 and TLR8 in the lesions of CA were significantly higher than that in cervix scrape cells of HPV negative chronic cervicitis. There were no significant differences of TLR4 and TLR9 mRNA levels between the two groups. Conclusion There were higher expressions of some TLRs (3, 7, 8) and lower expression of TLR9 in the lesions of CA. Compared with HPV negative chronic cervicitis, the expressions of TLR1-3, TLR5-8, TLR10 mRNA in the lesions of CA were up-regulated. The expression profile of TLRs in different type of HPV infected CA lesions had no significant differences. Our results suggested that the expression profile of TLRs in CA may be associated with the HPV infection. Whether it was associated with the immune escape mechanism and persistent infection of HPV need further demonstration.