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To identify HLA-B*15 subtypes distribution in Han population in Beijing, People's Republic of China, 826 unrelated healthy individuals were typed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing method. Within the 246 HLA-B*15 positive individuals, 29 HLA-B*15 alleles were identified, the most predominant of which is B*1501 (40.07%), followed by B*1502 (12.87%), B*1511 (12.87%), B*1518 (9.19%) and B*1532 (3.31%). The distribution of HLA-B*15 subtype frequencies was compared between the Beijing Han, eight other Chinese ethnic minorities and six Chinese populations covering the mainland of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed and revealed that the Beijing Han population clustered into the northern populations group and had a closer relationship with northern Han and Hui than with southern Han or other ethnic minorities. These results thus provide useful information that can be used in anthropology, selection for bone marrow transplantation as well as in disease-association study, such as in carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Purpose: To rapidly reconstruct a three-dimensional numerical model of the human upper airway and investigate the relationship between anatomical structures with airflow distribution by using the computational fluid dynamics., Methods: A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway was reconstructed based on computed tomographic images of a healthy volunteer's skull. Numerical simulation of the upper airway airflow was performed by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method., Results: A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway including nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx was reconstructed rapidly. A detailed anatomical structure and velocity distribution characteristics of airflow was obtained and a large velocity gradient in nasal valve area, nasopharynx, up and downstream of epiglottis was found., Conclusions: The model has good simulation of upper airway. Numerical simulation results provide the basic trend of airflow of the upper respiratory tract.The numerical model meets the needs of computational fluid dynamics analysis, and provide data control and research foundation for pathologic upper airway airflow numerical simulation.

We present measurements of the charmonium state h(c)(1P(1)) made with 106x10(6) psi' events collected by BESIII at BEPCII. Clear signals are observed for psi'-->pi0 h(c) with and without the subsequent radiative decay h(c)-->gamma eta(c). First measurements of the absolute branching ratios B(psi'-->pi0 h(c)) = (8.4+/-1.3+/-1.0) x 10(-4) and B(h(c)-->gamma eta(c)) = (54.3+/-6.7+/-5.2)% are presented. A statistics-limited determination of the previously unmeasured h(c) width leads to an upper limit Gamma(h(c))<1.44 MeV (90% confidence). Measurements of M(h(c)) = 3525.40+/-0.13+/-0.18 MeV/c2 and B(psi'-->pi0 h(c)) x B(h(c)-->gamma eta(c)) = (4.58+/-0.40+/-0.50) x 10(-4) are consistent with previous results.

Professionalism is a core competency of medical training that requires students to develop the skills of providing and receiving feedback. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of delivering feedback in a group setting compared with an individual setting. The first-year class of Mayo medical students (n = 49) enrolled in gross anatomy (in dissection teams), completed weekly anonymous evaluations of themselves and their teammates regarding seven aspects of professionalism (altruism, compassion, respect, honesty/integrity, responsibility, commitment to excellence, and self-reflection). Professionalism scores from these surveys were calculated using a six-point Likert scale. Students were also asked to comment on strengths and possible areas for improvement on each peer. At the midpoint of the course, peer comments and professionalism scores were shared with students in debriefing sessions either individually or with their team. Analysis of preintervention and postintervention professionalism scores indicated that the students receiving feedback in a one-on-one setting (student and instructor) were more likely to demonstrate higher scores on subsequent evaluations as compared with those students receiving feedback in a group setting (all team members and one instructor). Our findings suggest that providing feedback to first-year medical students on an individual basis is the best way to improve professional attitudes and behaviors., (Copyright 2010 American Association of Anatomists.)

Cholangiocyte proliferation is necessary for biliary recovery from cold ischemia and reperfusion injury (CIRI), but there are few studies on its intracellular mechanism. In this process, the role of rapamycin, a new immunosuppressant used in liver transplantation, is still unknown. In order to determine whether rapamycin can depress cholangiocyte regeneration by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation, rapamycin (0.05 mg/kg) was administered to rats for 3 days before orthotopic liver transplantation. The results indicated that cholangiocytes responded to extended cold preservation (12 hours) with severe bile duct injures, marked activation of the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/STAT3 signal pathway, and increased expression of cyclin D1 until 7 days after transplantation, and this was followed by compensatory cholangiocyte regeneration. However, rapamycin treatment inhibited STAT3 activation and resulted in decreased cholangiocyte proliferation and delayed biliary recovery after liver transplantation. On the other hand, rapamycin showed no effect on the expression of IL-6. We conclude that the IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway is involved in initiating cholangiocytes to regenerate and repair CIRI. Rapamycin represses cholangiocyte regeneration by inhibiting STAT3 activation, which might have a negative effect on the healing and recovery of bile ducts in grafts with extended cold preservation. Insights gained from this study will be helpful in designing therapy using rapamycin in clinical patients after liver transplantation.

Objective: To investigate the distributions of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A and -B alleles and HLA-A-B haplotypes in the Yi ethnic minority of the Yunnan Province, situated in southwestern China., Methods: DNA typing for HLA-A and -B loci was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method on 114 randomly selected healthy individuals of the Yi population. The allelic frequencies of HLA-A and -B loci were calculated by direct counting and HLA-A-B haplotypes were estimated using the expectation maximization algorithm., Results: A total of 17 HLA-A and 38 HLA-B alleles were found in the Yi population. The most frequent alleles were A*2402 (32.46%), A*1101 (26.32%), and A*0203 (10.09%) at the HLA-A locus and B*4601 (12.28%), B*1525 (10.09%), B*4001 (8.77%), and B*3802 (7.89%) at the HLA-B locus. The predominant HLA-A-B haplotypes were A*2402-B*1525 (7.86%) and A*0203-B*3802 (5.64%), followed by A*1101-B*4001 (4.69%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Yi population in the Honghe, Yunnan Province of China basically belongs to groups of southeastern Asian origin, but shares some characteristics with northeastern Asian groups., Conclusion: The present study may add to the understanding of HLA polymorphism in the Yi ethnic group that was poorly defined previously, and provide useful information for bone marrow transplantation, anthropological research, and forensic sciences as well as for disease-association studies.

To investigate nuclear donor and cytoplast recipient mitochondria fate and their effects on generation of interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT)-derived human embryonic stem (ES)-like cells, iSCNT embryos were reconstructed between enucleated goat oocytes and human neural stem cells (hNSCs). A total of 10.74% cleaved embryos (13/121) developed to blastocyst stage. One typical primary ES-like (tpES-like) colony and two nontypical primary ES-like (non-tpES-like) colonies designated as non-tpES-like cell-1 and non-tpES-like cell-2, respectively, were obtained from the inner cell masses of iSCNT blastocysts. The tpES-like cells expressed ESC markers. Both human and goat mtDNA could be detected in the embryos at 2-8-, 16-32-cell, and blastocyst stages, and in tpES-like colony and two non-tpES-like colonies. Human mtDNA copies per cell from embryos at two- to eight-cell stage to the three colonies maintain almost its original level, whereas 2.88 x 10(5) goat mtDNA copies per oocyte decreased to 10.8 copies per tpES-like cell, 493 copies per non-tpES-like cell-1, and 77.6 copies per non-tpES-like cell-2, resulting in 43.75% (8.4/19.2), 1.24% (6.2/499), and 14.63% (13.3/90.9) mtDNA content in tpES-like cell, non-tpES-like cell-1, and non-tpES-like cell-2 was that of nuclear donor, respectively. Human-specific Tfam and Polg mRNA could be detected in cells of the three colonies. However, tpES-like colony failed to be passaged. The mRNA level of CoxIV encoded by nuclear donor in tpES-like cell was higher than that in non-tpES-like cell, but significantly lower than that of human ESC, suggesting proper nuclear-cytoplasmic communication would not be established in tpES-like cells. Thus, the data suggest that (1) goat oocytes could reprogram human neural stem cells (hNSCs) into embryonic state and further support the inner cell mass (ICM) of iSCNT blastocyst to form tpES-like colony; (2) nuclear donor mtDNA could be replicated and maintain its original level during the reduction of recipient mitochondrial DNA copies, (3) nuclear-cytoplasmic communication and recipient mtDNA copies might affect the derivation of iSCNT-derived ES-like cells.

Background: Differences in dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) in healthy and disabled children are rarely reported. This retrospective study evaluated the characteristics and treatment modalities performed under general anesthesia in pediatric dental patients at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2004 and 2005, and compared the different treatment patterns performed in healthy children and children with special health care needs., Methods: The data were reviewed in pediatric patients from 1 to 18 years old who underwent dental treatment performed under general anesthesia from January 2004 to December 2005. Patients with special health care needs who had at least one type of mental or physical disability were assigned to the disabled group (Group D) and the other healthy patients were assigned to the healthy group (Group H). The treatment modalities of operative restoration, crowns, pulp therapy, sealant and extracted teeth were compared in the two groups., Results: A total of 185 patients were assigned to group H and 112 to group D. The patients in group D were significantly older than those in group H. There were no significant differences in the mean number of teeth treated between the two groups. However, there was a significantly greater mean total number of teeth extracted in group D patients (p < 0.001). In addition, there were more stainless steel crown reconstructions (p < 0.05) and pulp therapies (p < 0.001) performed in group H patients. In group D, there were no significant differences in the total number of teeth extracted between the 1-3 year old patients and the 3-6 year-old patients (p = 0.99)., Conclusions: For very young children or those with special health care needs, dental treatment performed under general anesthesia is beneficial and efficient. The findings of this study suggest that underlying medical or mental conditions may influence the dental condition and treatment modality provided.

Increasing emphasis on leadership in medical education has created a need for developing accurate evaluations of team leaders. Our study aimed to compare the accuracy of self- and peer evaluation of student leaders in the first-year Human Structure block (integrated gross anatomy, embryology, and radiology). Forty-nine first-year medical students at Mayo Medical School were assigned to learning teams of three or four members. Teams worked together on daily laboratory dissection, clinical projects, embryology presentations, and daily group quizzes. Student team leaders were responsible for leading laboratory dissection, reviewing radiographic findings, and organizing group assignments. Weekly electronic surveys were administered to evaluate team leaders on altruism, compassion, respect, integrity, responsibility, commitment to excellence, and self-reflection. Results demonstrated that team leaders rated themselves lower than their peers rated them in multiple aspects of leadership. Peer evaluation of team leaders was statistically higher than self-evaluation in all traits measured except respect. Female leaders were rated higher by their peers in the areas of responsibility and self-reflection compared to male leaders. This study demonstrates the need for increased communication between team leaders and members, along with creation of a mutually respectful environment, to improve leader awareness of their abilities and foster team success.

Objective: To investigate fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its clinical significance., Methods: FLT3 mutation-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) and FLT3 mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-TKD) were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the genomic DNA of 61 ALL patients and 7 healthy volunteers (as reference group). The PCR products of these patients who were detected with FLT3-ITD or FLT3-TKD were sent for sequence analysis., Results: In all these 61 ALL patients, FLT3-ITDs were identified in 2 patients and FLT3-TKD were identified in one patient., Conclusion: FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD exist in a small proportion of ALL patients.

A Gram-negative, non-carbohydrate-utilizing, non-flagellated, motile, flexible, long rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterium, strain H6(T), was isolated from coastal seawater of Tianjin City, China, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain H6(T) grew optimally at 30 degrees C, in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.6. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (36.5 % of the total), iso-C(15 : 1) (27.3 %) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH (10.8 %). The DNA G+C content of strain H6(T) was 34.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain H6(T) was related most closely to Lishizhenia caseinilytica JCM 13821(T) (97.8 % similarity). DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains was 47.4 %. Strain H6(T) could be further differentiated from L. caseinilytica JCM 13821(T) based on activity of several enzymes, hydrolysis of casein and Tweens 40, 60 and 80 and production of H(2)S. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic data, strain H6(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lishizhenia, for which the name Lishizhenia tianjinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H6(T) (=CGMCC 1.7005(T) =JCM 15141(T)).

Objective: This study is to investigate the clinical therapeutic effects and safety of treating mild or moderate depression with somatic symptoms with electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine., Methods: 95 cases of mild or moderate depression with somatic symptoms were randomly divided into a Fluoxetine group, and an electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used for the assessment of clinical therapeutic effects and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used for assessment of adverse reactions., Results: The total effective rate was 77.27% in the Fluoxetine group and 78.26% in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group, showing no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P > 0.05). However, the treatment took effect after two weeks in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group but after four weeks in Fluoxetine group. During this time, a better therapeutic effect on depression with mild or moderate somatic symptoms was found in the electroacupuncture plus Fluoxetine group, which also had fewer adverse reactions than the Fluoxetine group., Conclusion: Electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine takes effect faster for relieving the somatic symptoms with fewer adverse reactions. It is worth popularizing clinically.

A Gram-negative, pale-yellow, non-spore-forming bacterium, motile with single polar flagella, strain E6T, was isolated from coastal seawater collected from Tianjin, China, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain E6T requires NaCl for growth and grows optimally at pH 8.2 and 36 degrees C and in the presence of 2.0% (w/v) NaCl. It is positive for catalase and oxidase, and reduces nitrate to nitrite. The major fatty acids (>10%) are C18:1omega7c (64.71%) and 11-methyl C18:1omega7c (12.38%), the ubiquinone system is Q-10 and the DNA G+C content is 53.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain E6T represented a new lineage in the Alphaproteobacteria and is related to genera Cucumibacter, Devosia, Ochrobactrum and Ahrensia. Strain E6T shows highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (93.3%) to Cucumibacter marinus CL-GR60T and less than 92.2% similarity to other relatives. It can be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic features, including nitrate reduction, assimilation of D-glucose, L-arabinose, D-mannose, mannitol and maltose and major fatty acid composition. A polyphasic analysis supported the conclusion that strain E6T represents a novel genus and species of the family Hyphomicrobiaceae, for which the name Zhangella mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Zhangella mobilis is E6T (=CGMCC 1.7002T=JCM 15144T).

Medical schools revise their curricula in order to develop physicians best skilled to serve the public's needs. To ensure a smooth transition to residency programs, undergraduate medical education is often driven by the six core competencies endorsed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. Recent curricular redesign at Mayo Medical School provided an opportunity to restructure anatomy education and integrate radiology with first-year gross and developmental anatomy. The resulting 6-week (120-contact-hour) human structure block provides students with opportunities to learn gross anatomy through dissection, radiologic imaging, and embryologic correlation. We report more than 20 educational interventions from the human structure block that may serve as a model for incorporating the ACGME core competencies into basic science and early medical education. The block emphasizes clinically-oriented anatomy, invites self- and peer-evaluation, provides daily formative feedback through an audience response system, and employs team-based learning. The course includes didactic briefing sessions and roles for students as teachers, leaders, and collaborators. Third-year medical students serve as teaching assistants. With its clinical focus and competency-based design, the human structure block connects basic science with best-practice clinical medicine.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of pilocarpine and explore the underlying ionic mechanism, using both aconitine-induced rat and ouabain-induced guinea pig arrhythmia models. Confocal microscopy was used to measure intracellular free-calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in isolated myocytes. The current data showed that pilocarpine significantly delayed onset of arrhythmias, decreased the time course of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, reduced arrhythmia score, and increased the survival time of arrhythmic rats and guinea pigs. [Ca(2+)](i) overload induced by aconitine or ouabain was reduced in isolated myocytes pretreated with pilocarpine. Moreover, M(3)-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist 4-DAMP (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine-methiodide) partially abolished the beneficial effects of pilocarpine. These data suggest that pilocarpine produced antiarrhythmic actions on arrhythmic rat and guinea pig models induced by aconitine or ouabain via stimulating the cardiac M(3)-mAChR. The mechanism may be related to the improvement of Ca(2+) handling.

Context: Many patients presenting for general medical care have a history of sexual abuse. The literature suggests an association between a history of sexual abuse and somatic sequelae., Objective: To systematically assess the association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of somatic disorders. Data Sources and Extraction A systematic literature search of electronic databases from January 1980 to December 2008. Pairs of reviewers extracted descriptive, quality, and outcome data from included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled across studies by using the random-effects model. The I(2) statistic was used to assess heterogeneity., Study Selection: Eligible studies were longitudinal (case-control and cohort) and reported somatic outcomes in persons with and without history of sexual abuse., Results: The search identified 23 eligible studies describing 4640 subjects. There was a significant association between a history of sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.36-4.31; I(2) = 82%; 5 studies), nonspecific chronic pain (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.54-3.15; 1 study), psychogenic seizures (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.12-4.69, I(2) = 0%; 3 studies), and chronic pelvic pain (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.73-4.30, I(2) = 40%; 10 studies). There was no statistically significant association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.85-3.07, I(2) = 0%; 4 studies), obesity (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.88-2.46; I(2) = 71%; 2 studies), or headache (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.96-2.31; 1 study). We found no studies that assessed syncope. When analysis was restricted to studies in which sexual abuse was defined as rape, significant associations were observed between rape and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.51-7.46), chronic pelvic pain (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.02-10.53), and functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.88-8.57)., Conclusion: Evidence suggests a history of sexual abuse is associated with lifetime diagnosis of multiple somatic disorders.

Objective: To prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody (pAb) against GPR17, a novel cysteinyl leukotriene receptor., Methods: Rabbits were immunized with KLH-coupled GPR17 peptide to prepare the pAb. The titer of the pAb in rabbit plasma was detected by indirect ELISA, and the specificity of the pAb was tested by antigen blockade. GPR17 tissue distribution was detected by Western blot with the pAb., Results: The pAb showed a titer as high as 1:16 364,and was not cross-reacted with the antigens of CysLT(1) and CysLT(2) receptors. A higher expression of GPR17 in the rat brain and heart was detected using the newly prepared pAb. The molecular weigh of GPR17 protein was about 43 kD., Conclusion: The prepared GPR17 pAb has high sensitivity and specificity,and can be used in Western blot for detecting GPR17.

Purpose: To detect the genotoxicity of dental machinable ZrO(2)/LaPO(4) diphase ceramics on human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro., Methods: The evaluation of DNA damage on human lymphocytes was performed by comet assay for three groups of ZrO(2)/LaPO(4) diphase ceramics with 30wt% of LaPO(4) (with 3wt% and 5wt% of Y(2)O(3)) and 40wt% of LaPO(4) (with 5wt% of Y(2)O(3)). The results were analyzed with SPSS16.0 software package for one-factor ANOVA and LSD., Results: Three experimental groups with different concentration of LaPO(4) of ZrO(2)/LaPO(4) diphase ceramics, the negative control of IPS Empress II ceramics and the blank behaved little migration of the DNA strands respectively after six-day test, and there was no significant difference in all the groups except the positive control (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The study indicates little effect of DNA damage of ZrO(2)/LaPO(4) diphase ceramics.

Three-year-old 'Zaozhong No. 6' loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) seedlings were foliar-sprayed with 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mmol x L(-1) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), subjected to low temperature (-3 degrees) stress for 6 hours, and then cultured at 25 degrees C for four days. The antioxidant metabolites and enzymes in the seedling leaves were determined 0, 1, and 4 days after recovery. Comparing with the control (water spraying), all SNP treatments had a decreased H2O2 content but an increased content of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) and increased activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) in the seedling leaves. Four days after recovery, the H2O2 content in the seedling leaves treated with 0.5 mmol x L(-1) of SNP decreased by 75.53%, while the GSH and AsA contents and the APX, GR, DHAR and MDAR activities were increased by 29.12%, 23.40%, 50.0%, 44.4%, 49.53%, and 62.68%, respectively. All of these suggested that appropriate dosage of exogenous NO could enhance the activity of antioxidant system in loquat leaves and alleviated the cell injury of loquat leaves under low temperature stress. In this study, the appropriate dosage of NO was 0.5 mmol x L(-1) of SNP.

Objective: To investigate the role of IL-6/STAT3 pathway in the proliferation of cholangiocyte induced by cold ischemia and reperfusion injury., Methods: Rats were randomized into CP 1 h and CP 12 h groups (supplied livers were preserved for 1 or 12 h), anti-IL-6R (rats in CP 12 h group were administrated with anti-rat soluble IL-6 receptor antibody), and control group. At 1, 3, 7, 14 d postoperative, IL-6 concentration in liver homogenate and cholangiocyte proliferation were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and histochemistry respectively. Expressions of IL-6 mRNA, phosphorylated-STAT3 and cyclin D1 protein in cholangiocytes were determined by real-time PCR or Western blot analysis. Serum concentrations of ALP and GGT and histology analysis were also performed., Results: Minimal expressions of IL-6, p-STAT3 and cyclin D1 were detected in CP 1 h group, with a slight cholangiocytes proliferation. Cholangiocytes responded to extended cold preservation with severe bile duct injures and marked increase in IL-6 secretion, p-STAT3 and cyclin D1 protein expression, followed by compensatory cholangiocytes regeneration. Parallel to this observation, biochemical index and morphology indicated that bile duct injury was recovery at 14 d postoperative. However, anti-sIL-6R inhibited cholangiocytes proliferation and reduced the expressions of IL-6, STAT3 and cyclin D, with the cellular injury and increase of serum ALP or GGT., Conclusions: IL-6/STAT3 pathway might participate to initiate cholangiocytes regeneration after cold ischemia and preservation injury, which might benefit biliary recovery after liver transplantation.

Objective: To investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates cholangiocyte proliferation via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway in vivo., Methods: Rats were randomized into three groups: LPS group (injected intravenously with LPS 2.5 mg/kg), anti-IL-6 group (injected intravenously with anti-IL-6 0.5 mg/kg 1hr after LPS injection), and control group. At 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after LPS injection, LPS concentration in plasma was detected by kinetic turbidimetric limulus test. IL-6 concentrations in liver homogenate was determinded by ELISA, cholangiocyte proliferation was checked by immunohistochemistry, expression of IL-6 mRNA was quantified by real-time RT-PCR, the level of phophorylated-STAT3 (P-STAT3) protein was analyzed by western blotting., Results: Cholangiocytes responded to LPS by a marked increase in cell proliferation, IL-6 secretion and P-STAT3 expression. Anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody inhibited LPS-induced cholangiocytes proliferation, and decreased levels of IL-6 and p-STAT3., Conclusions: LPS promotes cholangiocyte proliferation through the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.

Heavy metal concentration in soil was investigated at three sites with different topography (cut slope, flat and embankment) within the vicinity of Chengdu-Kunming railway in Sichuan, China. Surface soil was sampled at certain distances from the track at each site and was analyzed for Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu, Cd and Zn concentrations in some soil exceeded the thresholds for non-polluted soil following the soil quality standard set by the State Environmental Protection Agency of China. Compared to local background values, the highest enrichment factor values of Cu, Mn, Zn and Cd were 2.7, 3.4, 3.7 and 7.7, respectively, indicating a moderate or significant enrichment of these metals in soil closest to the railway. Pb showed little accumulation with the EF values generally nearer 1 at the chosen sites. Topography profile was found to influence metal levels and distribution in soil alongside railway. At the cut slope site, Mn, Zn, Cd showed the highest concentrations and the smallest dispersion distance of 2 m, while Cu showed further dispersion distance of 25 m due to a main Cu emission source, the head-over traction cable, being located higher than any other metal emission source (wheels and tracks). Heavy metal concentrations decreased conversely as compared to distance from the track, peak values occurring at locations closest to the tracks, whilst embankment site soil Cd concentrations peaked at distances of 25 m. Significant correlation was found amongst Mn, Cu, Zn and Cd, which indicates that these metals have the same anthropogenic origin there. Organic matter content had no significant correlation to the elements Mn, Cu and Zn, which implies relatively high mobility to those metals.

Background: Cholangiocytes are exposed to endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in a variety of biliary inflammations. It is known that LPS enhances the release of interleukin (IL)-6, a potent cholangiocyte mitogen. However, the role of LPS in cholangiocyte proliferation in vivo is unknown. Aims To investigate whether LPS stimulates cholangiocyte proliferation in vivo via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway., Methods: Rats were randomized into four groups: the LPS group (injected intravenously with LPS 2.5 mg/kg), anti-IL-6 group (injected intravenously with anti-IL-6 0.5 mg/kg 1 h after LPS injection), RPM group (treated with RPM 0.4 mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 min before LPS injection), and control group. At 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after LPS injection, LPS in plasma was detected by kinetic turbidimetric limulus test. IL-6 concentrations in liver homogenate and cholangiocyte proliferation were determined by ELISA or immunohistochemistry, respectively. Expression of IL-6 mRNA and phosphorylated-STAT3 (P-STAT3) protein in cholangiocytes was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting., Results: Cholangiocytes responded to LPS by a marked increase in cell proliferation, IL-6 secretion, and P-STAT3 expression. Anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody inhibited LPS-induced proliferation of cholangiocytes and decreased levels of IL-6 and STAT3. Furthermore, after being treated with RPM, STAT3 activation was also depressed, which resulted a decreased proliferation of cholangiocytes., Conclusions: LPS promotes cholangiocyte proliferation through the IL-6/STAT3 pathway, while RPM shows a depressive effect in this pathway.

Objective: To explore the changes of metabolites in brain after treatment by analysis on 1H-MRS examination of the hippocampus and prefrontal lobe in the healthy volunteers and the depression patients., Methods: Seventy-five cases of mild and moderate depression were randomly divided into groups A, B and C, 25 cases in each group. The group A was treated with oral administration of Prozac capsule, 20 mg/d; the group B by electroacupuncture for 30-40 min and the needle was retained for 1 h, once each day, with main points Baihui (GV 20), Yin-tang (GV 29) and adjuvant acupoints selected; the group C by combination of the treatment methods in the groups A and B. They were treated for 6 weeks. Use PROBE-J sequence at the MRI system on Single Voxel of ROI of each lateral of hippocampus and frontal lobe in the depression patients of the 3 groups. Compare the differences of N-acetylasp artate/creatine (NAA/Cr) and choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) between the healthy volunteers and the patients before and after treatment., Results: Before treatment, NAA/Cr in the bilateral hippocampus decreased in the 3 groups as compared with the control group, and after treatment, NAA/Cr in the bilateral hippocampus of the group B and in the right hippocampus of the group C increased compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05), and NAA/Cr in the left hippocampus of the group C significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01). Before treatment, Cho/Cr in the bilateral prefrontal lobe in the 3 groups increased as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05), after treatment, Cho/Cr in the bilateral prefrontal lobes of the groups A, B and C significantly decreased as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: There are differences in contents of metabolites in corresponding parts in bilateral frontal lobes and hippocampus between the depression patient and healthy person.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain E3T, which was motile with a polar flagellum, was isolated from coastal surface seawater near Tianjin city, China. The taxonomy of strain E3T was studied by phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic methods. Strain E3T forms non-pigmented colonies with a butyrous-mucoid consistency on marine 2216 agar. It grows optimally at 30 degrees C, in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.6. Strain E3T is positive for catalase and oxidase and hydrolysis of lipid and reduces nitrate to N2 gas. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain E3T belongs to the Gammaproteobacteria and is grouped in the genus Glaciecola, with highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Glaciecola chathamensis (94.6 %), G. agarilytica (94.4 %) and G. mesophila (94.4 %). Strain E3T contained summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH, 34.5 %), C(18 : 1)omega7c (17.3 %) and C(16 : 0) (17 %) as the major fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the main phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 40.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain E3T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Glaciecola, for which the name Glaciecola lipolytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E3T (=CGMCC 1.7001T =JCM 15139T).

Objective: To study the epidemiological features of hantavirus in rodents in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province., Methods: Rodents were captured in Wenzhou, where hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) had been endemic. Hantavirus antigens in the rat lungs were detected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Partial S segment (nt 620-999) and partial M segment (nt 2001-2301) sequences were amplified by RT-PCR, and then sequenced. Neighbor-joining method was used to construct for phylogenetic analysis., Results: A total of 96 rodents were trapped in the epidemic areas, and 6 hantavirus antigens were identified from these lung samples (6.3%). Partial S and partial M segment sequences were successfully recovered from 5 samples and determined. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences indicated that all viruses belonged to Seoul virus (SEOV), regardless of the sources (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus rattoide) that they were derived. However, the clustering pattern in the partial S-tree was different from that in the partial M-tree, suggesting that the re-assortment between SEOVs had occurred., Conclusion: All Rattus rats carried SEOV in Wenzhou and the genetic reassortment with SEOV had occurred naturally.

Objective: To establish a method for efficient induction and expansion of Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro and evaluate the possibility of using this strategy for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)., Methods: EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cells (BLCLs) were used as the antigen stimuli and antigen-presenting cells. EBV-specific CTL was induced by co-culture of the autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the irradiated BLCLs, and expanded with a cocktail method consisting of OKT-3, irradiated homologous PBMC, and IL-2. The specific activity of the CTL against the NPC cells was measured with MTT assay., Results: EBV-specific CTL was successfully induced and expanded by 600 folds. The killing efficiency of the CTL was 76% for autologous BLCLs, 13% for homologous BLCLs, 51% for autologous NPC cells, and 27% for homologous CNE cell line, and after expansion, the corresponding killing efficiencies were 63%, 25%, 49%, and 33%, respectively. The non-specific killing only slightly increased after the expansion., Conclusion: EBV-specific CTL can be successfully induced and expanded in vitro for specific killing of autologous NPC cells, suggesting the potential of this strategy in the treatment of NPC.

Objective: To establish human bronchial epithelial cell lines over expressing oncogene and to investigate its application in detection of carcinogen-induced cell transformation., Methods: Mediated by retrovirus infection, human telomerase catalytic subunit, hTERT was introduced into immortal human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) and followed by introduction of the oncogenic allele H-Ras(V12), or c-Myc or empty vector, creating cell lines 16HBETR, 16HBETM and 16HBETV, respectively. Biological characteristics of these cell lines including morphology, proliferation, and chromosomal aberration were examined to access whether they were transformed. Soft agar experiment and nude mice subcutaneous injection were performed using pre-transformed 16HBE cells induced by known carcinogens, nickel sulfate (NiSO4) and 7, 8, -dihydrodiol-9, 10-epoxide benzo[a] pyrene (BPDE)., Results: With detection of telomerase activity and Western blotting, the expression of target proteins was verified. Thus, the transgenic 16HBE cell lines were successfully established. Cells expressing oncogene H-Ras or c-Myc grew 30.3% or 10.4% faster than control cells. However, these cells failed to form colonies in soft agar or form tumor in nude mice. 16HBETR, 16HBETM cells obtained transformed phenotype at 5 wks, 11 wks, respectively after treatment with BPDE, which are 15 wks and 9 wks earlier than control cells 16HBETV (20 wks). Meanwhile, 16HBETR, 16HBETM cells obtained transformed phenotype at 11 wks, 14 wks, respectively after treatment with nickel sulfate, which are 21 wks and 18 wks earlier than control cells (32 wks)., Conclusion: With the advantage of shorter latency, transgenic human cell transformation models could be used in potent carcinogen screening and applied to chemical-carcinogenesis mechanism study.

Objective: To explore the role of maternal physiology, mentality and prenatal health care on low birth weight (LBW)., Methods: A LBW-small for gestation age (SGA)-control group retrospective study was conducted based upon a population of infants born from November 2004 to June 2006. 896 cases involved in this study were entirely under voluntary participation and subject could withdraw their consent at any point. All subject recruitment and enrollment took place at Fujian Provincial Maternal and Children Hospital at the time of delivery. Using chi2 test for single factor analysis and logistic regression for multiple analyses., Results: There were 15 out of 22 single factors having statistical significances, including 2 maternal psychological, 4 physiological, 6 pathological and 3 prenatal health care factors respectively. When multi-factorial stepwise regression analyses was performed, there were 9 factors for main relative factors of LBW, including women's height, number of prenatal examination, in-normal non-stress test, umbilical cord around the neck, retardation of the umbilical blood flow, week of gestation when the first examination was performed, premature rupture of membrane, preference on the sex of the infant, abnormal family history etc. were influencing the existence of LBW. Awareness on health information appeared to be a protective factor, suggesting that LBW could be prevented during the pregnant period., Conclusion: Multiple factors seemed to be contributing to the incidence of low birth weight.

Objective: To observe therapeutic effects and mechanisms at different acupoint groups for treatment of the depression rat., Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a body acupoint group, a scalp acupoint group and a Fluoxetine hydrochloride group, 10 cases in each group. Depression rat model was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation combined with lonely breeding for 21 days. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA, 20 min) was given at "Taichong" (LR 3), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the body point group and "Baihui" (GV 20), "Yintang" (EX-HN 3), "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) in the head point group, once daily, and Fluoxetine hydrochloride was given to the Fluoxetine hydrochloride group by intragastric administration, 2 mg/kg, once daily, for 21 days. Body weight of the rat was recorded, and the sucrose-intake test and forced swimming test were conducted one day before the experiment and on the 7th, 14th and 21st day of the experiment, and the open field test was conducted one day before the experiment and on the 21st day. p-CREB expression in the hippocampus of the rats were observed on the 22nd day., Results: As compared with the model group, in the head point group and the Fluoxetine group, the crossing and rearing movement times, the relative volume of sucrose-intake and p-CREB expression in the hippocampus increased significantly, and the duration of immovability in forced swimming test shortened significantly (P<0.05). The relative volume of sucrose-intake increased and the duration of immovability in forced swimming test in the body point group significantly shortened (P<0.05), but the crossing and rearing movement times and p-CREB expression in the hippocampus did not insignificantly increase (P>0.05), with no significant differences among the treatment groups (P>0.05)., Conclusion: EA at the head acupoints can improve behavioral activities and increase positive neuron number of p-CREB in the hippocampus of the depression rat, and selection of acupoints is of important role in treatment of depression.

Objective: To study on clinical therapeutic effect and safety of electroacupuncture and Fluoxetine for treatment of mild or moderate depression with physical symptoms., Methods: Seventy-five cases were randomly divided into a western medicine group (group A), an electroacupunctue group(group B) and an electroacupuncture plus medicine group (group C), 25 cases in each group. The group A were treated by oral Fluoxetine, 20 mg each day; the group B by electroacupuncture with Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN 3) selected as main points; the group C by oral administration of Fluoxetine plus electroacupunctue. HAMD depression scale was used for assessment of clinical therapeutic effect and TESS adverse reaction scale was used for adverse reactions., Results: The clinical effective rate was 78.3% in the group A, 82.6% in the group B and 91.7% in the group C, with significant differences between group C and A, group C and B (P < 0.05). Groups B and C had significant therapeutic effects in improvement of physical symptoms, and the adverse reaction of Fluoxetine in the group C was less than that in the group A., Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can significantly improve physical symptoms and relieve adverse reactions of Fluoxetine. Electroacupuncture combined with Fluoxetine has a better therapeutic effect on depression with mild or moderate physical symptoms, with less adverse reactions.

Objective: To study the role of dopamine D3 receptor involved in the amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice., Methods: The CPP was observed in D3 receptor knock-out (D3RKO) mice and C57BL/6 wild-type control mice after administration of amphetamine. The data were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA using the SPSS 13.0 software., Results: D3RKO mice showed a significant amphetamine-induced CPP (P<0.001), compared with the ones administered with saline in C57BL/6 control mice., Conclusion: The results indicate that amphetamine can produce significant CPP in dopamine D3 receptor knock-out mice, suggesting that amphetamine-induced addiction can be inhibited by dopamine D3 receptor.

The chimeras between tuber mustard (Brassica juncea) and red cabbage (B. oleracea) were artificially synthesized in our previous study. Adventitious shoots were induced from nodal segments and leaf discs of TCC (LI-LII-LIII, LI -the outmost layer of shoot apical meristem; LII -the middle layer; LIII -the innermost layer. T = Tuber mustard, C = Red cabbage) chimeras. The origin of the shoots was analyzed by histology and molecular biology. As a result, the frequency of adventitious shoot induction rose with the increase of BA in MS medium in the area of the nodes. However, there was no different induction frequency of adventitious shoots from nodal segment bases in media with different BA concentrations. Most adventitious shoots (clustered shoots) arising from the node area were TTT (Tuber mustard- Tuber mustard- Tuber mustard) and only 4 shoots were chimeras, which indicated that more shoots originated from LI than from LII and LIII. All shoots from nodal segment bases were CCC (Red cabbage-Red cabbage- Red cabbage), indicating that the shoots originated from LII or LII and LIII. There were significant differences in the regeneration rate in the margin of the leaf discs among the three combinations of BA and NAA. Most adventitious shoots from the margin of leaf discs were CCC but 2 out of 70 were chimeras, which indicated that more shoots originated from LII or LII and LIII than from LI. All chimeras obtained by regeneration were different from the original explant donor in type in the present study. The origin of the adventitious shoots varied with the site of origin on the donor plant, and could be multicellular and multihistogenic.

Objective: To explore the objective evidence of the corpus biochemical changes in rabbits for postmortem diagnosis of potassium intoxication., Methods: Rabbits were sacrificed by Infusion of 0.3% KCl at full speed push or 1% KCl at 100 drip/min, respectively, with normal rabbits used as control. Cardiac blood and urine samples were collected before and after potassium infusion to examine the concentrations of various electrolytes (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and HCO3-) and to observe the antemortem and postmortem biochemical changes., Results: The mean lethal infusion time in the 0.3%KCl group was longer than that in the 1% KCl group (P = 0.006). The serum concentration of K+ increased while the serum concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, and HCO3- decreased after the infusion. There were no statistically significant differences in the whole blood concentration of K+ as well as the serum concentration of Mg2+ between the two groups (P = 0.062). There were statistically significant differences in the concentrations of whole blood K+, as well as serum Na+, Mg2+, and Cl-, but not in the serum K+, Ca2+, and HCO3-. There were no statistically significant differences seen in the urine volumes and the concentrations of all the urine electrolytes between the groups., Conclusion: Examination of the concentrations of K+ both in the whole blood and serum, as well as Mg2+ in the serum may be helpful for postmortem diagnosis of potassium intoxication.

Genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the most common cause of genital ulcer disease (GUD) in developed and developing countries. The monitoring of HSV-2 seroprevalence in pregnant women can identify women at a higher risk of HIV and of neonatal HSV transmission. Very few data are available on type specific seroprevalence of HSV-2 in China, with only one previous study from southern China. Consequently, we conducted a survey to determine type specific seroprevalence of HSV-2 and associated risk factors in Fuzhou City, eastern China.

Objective: To investigate the effect of podocyte ultrastructure and changes of nephrin and the podocin expression on the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats., Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: a normal control group and a DN model group.We determined the 24h proteinuria and other biochemical indexes, measured the ultrastructures of podocytes with electronic microscope, and detected the expression of nephrin and podocin with immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR at the 4th and 8th weeks., Results: The 24h proteinuria increased in the DN group; the number of podocytes was significantly lower; and the foot process width (FPW) obviously increased in the DN group compared with the normal group (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of nephrin and podocin reduced in the DN group.There was a negative correlation between the proteinuria and the protein expression of nephrin and podocin (P<0.01)., Conclusion: The reduction in glomerular podocyte number,the increased FPW, and the down-regulated expression of nephrin and podocin appear at the early stage of DN and become more serious with the disease progression.The podocyte lesion not only is associated with the degree of proteinuria,but also correlates with the development of glomerulosclerosis and damage of renal function.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of syphilis and risk factors on pregnant women in Fujian province., Methods: From July 1st, 2004 to June 30th, 2006, epidemiologic methods as questionnaires to fill in and rapid plasma reagent testing (RPR) were performed. Pregnant women with positive RPR test and then were confirmed by treponema pallidum test (TP). Intervention was provided to the pregnant women who were followed up to the postpartum periods. Results were compared during the peri-neonatal stage between syphilis-infected and non-infected women. Factors which were relative to syphilis infection were analyzed by simple and then further logistic regression analysis., Results: There were 38 418 pregnant women under study, of whom 772 were confirmed including 60 who were still pregnant. The prevalence of syphilis during pregnancy was 1.85% (712/38 418), with mostly underlying syphilis which played an important role during the neonatal stage. Main risk factors to have been found as: women's occupation, cultural background, place of living, husband's occupation, family income, having sexually transmitted disease(STD) infection. The prognosis of peri-neonatal stage was worse if the mother was having blood RPR test positive. Mortality of peri-neonatal, preterm birth rate and low-birth weight rate were found also higher among mothers when RPR was positive (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis in Fujian province was going up yearly. 8 factors including women's occupation, cultural background, place of living, received poor health education, having multiple sexual partners, husband's occupation, family income and having STD were main risk factors in the province, the mother's status of syphilis infection would strongly relate to the peri-neonatal stage of pregnancy.

Objective: To explore the maternal-fetal transmission patterns and interventional methods of syphilis during pregnancy., Methods: A total of 847 cases of syphilis in pregnancy confirmed by rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) and treponema pallidum hemoagglutination test (TPHA) were treated with procaine benzylpenicillin intramuscular injection, and with erythrocin oral medication if hypersensitive to benzylpenicillin. Eight hundred forty seven cases of syphilis during pregnancy were followed up for pregnancy outcomes. And their newborn babies were tested using the RPR. The newborns with positive results were given intervention and followed up until 24 months after birth., Results: (1) A total of 733 cases among the total 847 have given birth to living-babies, in which 626 cases were tested using RPR, and the positive rate was 55.1% (345/626). (2) The RPR positive rate, neonatal mortality, preterm birth rate and low birth rate in the newborn of mothers with an RPR titer higher than or at 1:8 were higher than those of mothers with an RPR titer lower than 1:8 (P < 0.01). (3) The neonatal RPR positive rate was related to the timing of the treatment of the women. (1) The neonatal RPR positive rate was 22.4% (15/67) for treatment compared with 49.6% (330/666) for non-treatment before pregnancy (P < 0.01). (2) The positive RPR rate of neonates between treatment before pregnancy and treatment during pregnancy was different, being 22.4% (15/67) and 40.3% (240/595) respectively (P < 0.05) (3) In comparison between treatment both in the early pregnancy and in late pregnancy with only treatment in the late pregnancy, the positive RPR rate of neonates was 28.5% (45/158) and 56.9% (95/167) respectively (P < 0.01). In comparison between treatment both in the mid-term pregnancy and in late pregnancy and treatment in only one period in the terminal, the positive RPR rate of neonates was 37.0% (100/270) and 56.9% (95/167) respectively (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: The maternal-fetal transmission rate and perinatal prognosis are related to maternal RPR titer and the timing of maternal treatment. Inborn syphilis can be prevented and cured in fetal time. For neonates with anti-syphilis treatment in protestation, RPR positive rate is significantly lower than that without treatment in protestation. Treatment prior to pregnancy is a powerful measure to prevent the maternal-fetal transmission of syphilis.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of polymyxin B (PMB) antagonizing the biological activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)., Methods: The affinity of PMB for LPS and lipid A was assayed by biosensor, and the neutralization of PMB for LPS (2 ng/ml) was detected by kinetic turbidimetric limulus test. The releases of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in murine peritoneal macrophages a (PMphi) after exposure to LPS (100 ng/ml) were detected, and the expression levels of TLR4, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA in PMphi induced by LPS (100 ng/ml) were measured by RT-PCR., Results: PMB had high-affinity to LPS and lipid A with dissociation equilibrium constants of 18.9 nmol/L and 11.1 nmol/L, respectively, and neutralized LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PMB could markedly inhibit the expressions of TLR4, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA and the release of cycokines in LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages., Conclusions: PMB neutralizes LPS and inhibites the expression and release of cycokines in macrophages, in which the affinity of PMB for lipid A plays an important role.

Objective: To investigate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antagonizing biological activity of densefruit pattany root-bark extract (DPR-2) in vitro., Methods: The effect of DPR-2 in neutralizing LPS (0.1 microg/L) was detected by kinetic turbidimetric limulus test. The effect of different concentrations of DPR-2 (0,8.0,16.0,32.0,64.0 mg/L) on binding of FITC-conjugated LPS (FITC-LPS,100.0 microg/L) to murine RAW264.7 cells was analyzed with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells after exposure to LPS (100.0 microg/L) were determined by real-time RT-PCR., Results: DPR-2 could neutralize LPS (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and inhibit the binding of FITC-LPS to RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner when the concentration of DPR-2 was above 16.0 mg/L. Furthermore, DPR-2 could markedly inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA in LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells., Conclusion: DPR-2 exhibit an anti-LPS effect in vitro, which may be related to its capacity to neutralize LPS and inhibit binding of LPS for its receptors.

Background: We undertook this study to investigate the levels of pericardial B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its relationship with ventricular structure and function., Methods: Pericardial and plasma BNP concentrations were measured in 18 patients with congenital ventricular septal defect., Results: The mean level of BNP in the pericardial fluid (324.8+/-137.3 pg/mL) was higher than the plasma (20.8+/-6.1 pg/mL) (p=0.03). Pericardial BNP was correlated with the plasma BNP (r=0.85, p<0.01). A good correlation was also found between the pericardial BNP and left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular diameter and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p<0.05)., Conclusions: The levels of BNP in pericardial fluid were higher than in the plasma. Similar to plasma BNP, pericardial BNP is also related to the ventricular structure and function.

Objective: Morphologic features of the corpse of rabbits died of potassium intoxication were studied in order to elucidate an objective evidence for forensic determination of death caused by potassium intoxication., Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural (by transmission electron microscopy) changes were observed in the heart, brain, and kidney of rabbits killed by intravenous push or continuous infusion at 100 drips per minute with 0.3% and 1% KCl, respectively. Normal rabbits without any treatment killed by bleeding were used as controls., Results: Macroscopically, cardiac dilatation and congestion/stasis as well as ischemic and hypoxic changes in various organs were observed in rabbits died of potassium injection. Microscopically and ultrastructurally, there were destruction of the cardiac fibers with thickening, concentrating, or disappearing of the Z-line, constriction of the glomerular capillaries, enlargement of the Bowman capsule, thinning and fusion of foot processes, as well as apoptosis with phagocytosis in brain observed, particularly in the group infused with 1% KCl., Conclusion: The morphologic changes observed in the heart and kidney appear to be characteristic, supporting death caused by potassium intoxication.

Excitons in a complex organic molecular crystal were studied by inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) for the first time. The dynamic dielectric response function is measured over a large momentum transfer region, from which an exciton dispersion of 130 meV is observed. Semiempirical quantum chemical calculations reproduce well the momentum dependence of the measured dynamic dielectric responses, and thus unambiguously indicate that the lowest Frenkel exciton is confined within a fraction of the complex molecule. Our results demonstrate that IXS is a powerful tool for studying excitons in complex organic molecular systems. Besides the energy position, the IXS spectra provide a stringent test on the validity of the theoretically calculated exciton wave functions.

A highly efficient photonic band edge dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) laser is demonstrated. By sandwiching an active CLC cell within a resonator consisting of two passive CLC reflectors, the lasing efficiency is dramatically enhanced. Theoretical analysis using the improved 4x4 transfer matrix and scattering matrix shows that the band edge laser mode can be supported by the external CLC resonator and its optimal output can be achieved by a relatively thin active CLC layer and thin passive CLC reflectors. Theoretical analysis agrees well with the experimental results.

Objective: To investigate the effect of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVHF) for acute hypernatremia., Methods: Seven patients with hypernatremia were studied and treated with CVVHF. The serum sodium concentration and its remedy speed, creatinine, osmolarity, and blood pressure, etc were observed before and after CVVHF., Results: The patients were treated with CVVHF averagely for 40 hours. The serum sodium concentration, creatinine, osmolarity after the treatment decreased significantly and the APACHE II scores significantly improved. Among the 5 coma patients, 2 patients's consciousness was improved., Conclusion: CVVHF is effective and can be a new method for treating acute hypernatremia.

Objective: To study the prevalence and principal rules of women with syphilis during pregnancy and to develop relative methods to prevent maternal-fetal transmission., Methods: A nested case control study on epidemiologic research was used based on review and preview methods on prevention and cure. Targeting pregnant women with syphilis diagnosed during premarital or pregnancy stages and were identified through rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) but confirmed by treponema pallidum test (TP),a total number of 339 women receiving treatment, intervention and being followed throughout the pregnant and neonatal periods., Results: The prevalence of syphilis in pregnancy was 2.33%, and the positive rate in neonatal cord blood was closely associated with the opportunity of getting maternal treatment. The lowest RPR positive rate was among these women who got pregnant after receiving the treatment. The RPR positive rate of neonatal cord blood was positively relative to the mother's RPR titer. The higher was the mother's blood RPR titer, the worse the prenatal prognosis would turn to., Conclusion: Mother's blood RPR titer and the opportunity of getting treatment were strongly associated with the positive rate in neonatal cord blood. Pregnancy after receiving the treatment was a powerful measure to prevent the maternal-fetal transmission of syphilis.

It is suggested that different neuropeptides regulate gastric mucosal integrity and participate in the development of chronic gastritis. The aim of this study was to examine the roles and changes of immunoreactive (IR) nerves and immunocompetent cells in human gastritis. Immunohistochemical, immunocytochemical, and confocal laser microscopic methods were used. All investigated nerve fibers were found in different quantities in the mucosa of both control and gastritis samples. The number of SP, NPY, and VIP IR nerve fibers increased significantly (P < 0.05) in gastritis. No IR immunocompetent cells (lymphocytes, plasma cells, mast cells) were found in the control, however, some showed NPY (16.8%) and SP (9.4%) immunoreactivity in chronic gastritis. The distance between nerve fibers and immunocompetent cells was 200 nm to 1 microm. In conclusion, the increased number of SP, NPY, and VIP IR nerves and IR immunocytes suggests that they participate in development of neurogenic inflammation, repairing processes of chronic gastritis.

Interspecific chimeras between tuber mustard and red cabbage were obtained by in vitro graft-culture method. Before grafting, 6-day-old seedlings of tuber mustard and red cabbage were vertically half-cut and treated with different concentrations of 6-BA and NAA for 1 min, then, they were symmetrically fit together. As a result, sectorial chimeras were initially produced from the united shoot tips. The maximum frequency of chimeral bud formation reached 6.33% when the vertical sections of tuber mustard and cabbage were treated with 2 mg/l 6-BA and 1 mg/l NAA. When sectorial chimeras were propagated on MS medium containing 1 mg/l 6-BA, periclinal and mericlinal chimeras gradually developed. Chimeral shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium containing 0.1 mg/l NAA. The rooted chimeras were acclimatized and transferred to the field for cytological and morphological analysis. The results showed that stomata density in the chimeras was significantly higher than that of their parents, while chloroplast size, starch grain size and number were intermediate between the two parents. The chimeras were further analyzed by flow cytometry, and the results indicated that they contained both sets of parental chromosomes. Moreover, chimeral plants possessed valuable characters from the two parents.

Objective: To investigate the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on patients with emergency and serious diseases., Methods: The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A [71 patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)] were treated by CRRT for 175 times. Group B (30 patients) were treated with common hematodialysis (HD). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), natrem (Na(+)), kalium (K(+)), chlorine (Clj), power of hydrogen (pH), bicarbonate (HCO3-), carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO(2)), and oxygen pressure (PO(2)) were measured before and after the treatment., Results: After the treatment, all patients' general state of health, water-electrolyte and acid base disorder were improved. The levels of BUN, Scr, K(+) (All P(s)<0.01), and Na(+) (P<0.05 in Group A, P<0.01 in Group B) were all lower and the levels of CO(2)CP (P<0.01 in Group A, P<0.05 in Group B) were higher than that before the pretherapy in both Group A and Group B. There was significant difference on the levels of BUN, Scr, K(+)(All P(s)<0.01), Cl(-) and CO(2)CP (All P(s)<0.05) between Group A and Group B, which indicated the therapeutic effect in Group A was better than that in Group B. Furthermore, the levels of pH, PO(2) and HCO(3)(-) were higher (P<0.01) and PCO(2) was lower (P<0.05) obviously than that before the CRRT in 30 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Group A. Among the 9 patients with poisoning, 7 were alleviated completely and 2 died after the CRRT plus hemoperfusion (HP). The survival time of patients was lengthened in Group A. No blood or bleed aggravation occurred in patients with bleeding inclination or 48 h before the operation after using the method of heparin soaking the blood filter., Conclusion: CRRT has better curative effect on removing the toxin effectively, rapidly correcting the turbulence of water electrolyte and sour-alkali balance for patients compare with HD. At the same time, it can increase the level of PO(2) and reduce CO(2) retention, improve the lung function and brain edema, and increase the patient's survival rate. Using CRRT as early as possible is very important and it can improve the prognosis of the patients who had MODS or other dangers because the death rate of MODS patients is very high.

We demonstrate a direction controllable linearly polarized laser from a dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) in a homogeneous cell coated with a metallic mirror on the inner side of a glass substrate. Due to coherent superposition of two orthogonal polarization states, the output laser light becomes linearly polarized and its output energy is greatly enhanced. Moreover, the linear polarization direction angle is proportional to the product of the CLC effective birefringence and cell gap. Hence direction tunable laser devices can be demonstrated by controlling the cell gap and the operating temperature.