Anti-inflammatory naphthoquinone-monoterpene adducts and neolignans from Eugenia caryophyllata.

A phytochemical investigation on the buds of edible medicinal plant, Eugenia carvophyllata, led to the discovery of seven new compounds, caryophones A-G (1-7), along with two biogenetically-related known ones, 2-methoxy-7-methyl-1,4-naphthalenedione (8) and eugenol (9). Compounds 1-3 represent the first examples of C-5-C-1' connected naphthoquinone-monoterpene adducts with a new carbon skeleton. Compounds 4-7 are a class of novel neolignans with unusual linkage patterns, in which the C-9 position of one phenylpropene unit coupled with the aromatic core of another phenylpropene unit. The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction crystallography, and quantum-chemical calculation. Among the isolates, compounds (-)-2, 3, 6, and 9 showed significant in vitro inhibitory activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells.

Modified Chinese disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand tool: Validity and reliability for upper extremity injuries.

DESIGN: Clinimetric evaluation study. INTRODUCTION: The Chinese Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire has necessitated the development of a revised version to the specific needs of individuals with upper extremity injuries with the progress of times and lifestyle changes. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This research aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of Modified Chinese Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (MC-DASH) questionnaire in individuals with upper extremity injuries. METHODS: One hundred and one individuals with upper extremity injuries (UEI) were recruited. The function of upper extremity was measured using the electronic version of MC-DASH, and compared against the Chinese Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand. The MC-DASH was reassessed within three days in all individuals. We investigated the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, criterion validity, and construct validity of MC-DASH. RESULTS: The internal consistency was deemed sufficient, as indicated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.986 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.957. Moreover, the mean total scores of MC-DASH on the first-test and retest were 37.86 and 38.19, respectively (ICC: 0.957, 95 %CI: 0.937-0.971, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the MC-DASH version exhibited satisfactory content validity evidenced by its strong correlation (R= 0.903, p < 0.001) with the Chinese DASH. Three major influencing factors were identified from 37 items. The cumulative variance contribution rate of the MC-DASH questionnaire was 75.76 %, confirming its construct validity. CONCLUSION: The Modified Chinese Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire has been shown to be a valid, reliable, and practical tool for use in patients with upper extremity injuries.

Curcumin alleviates oxidative stress and inhibits apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy via Sirt1-Foxo1 and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways.

Diabetes is a disorder of glucose metabolism, and over 90% are type 2 diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the type 2 diabetes complications, usually accompanied by changes in myocardial structure and function, together with cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Our study investigated the effect of curcumin on regulating oxidative stress (OS) and apoptosis in DCM. In vivo, diabetes was induced in an experimental rat model by streptozoticin (STZ) together with high-glucose and high-fat (HG/HF) diet feeding. In vitro, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured with high-glucose and saturated free fatty acid palmitate. Curcumin was orally or directly administered to rats or cells, respectively. Streptozoticin -induced diabetic rats showed metabolism abnormalities and elevated markers of OS (superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], gp91phox , Cyt-Cyto C), enhanced cell apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2, Cleaved caspase-3, TUNEL-positive cells), together with reduced Akt phosphorylation and increased Foxo1 acetylation. Curcumin attenuated the myocardial dysfunction, OS and apoptosis in the heart of diabetic rats. Curcumin treatment also enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited acetylation of Foxo1. These results strongly suggest that apoptosis was increased in the heart of diabetic rats, and curcumin played a role in diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment by modulating the Sirt1-Foxo1 and PI3K-Akt pathways.

Bidirectional Regulatory Mechanisms of Jaceosidin on Mitochondria Function: Protective Effects of the Permeability Transition and Damage of Membrane Functions.

Many natural products could induce apoptosis through mitochondrial pathways. However, direct interactions between natural products and mitochondria have rarely been reported. In this work, the effects and regulatory mechanisms of Jaceosidin on the isolated rat liver mitochondria have been studied. The results of the experiments which by introducing exogenous Ca2+ illustrated that Jaceosidin has the protective effects on the structure and function of the isolated mitochondria. These protective effects were related to the chelation of Ca2+ with Jaceosidin. Besides, Jaceosidin could scavenge reactive oxygen species produced during electron transport, and weaken the mitochondrial lipid peroxidation rate, which may be attributed to the antioxidant effect of phenolic hydroxyl groups of Jaceosidin. In addition, Jaceosidin has some damage effects on mitochondrial function, such as the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and the increase of mitochondrial membrane fluidity. These results of this work provided comprehensive information to clarify the mechanisms of Jaceosidin on mitochondria, which may be the bidirectional regulatory mechanisms.

Mitochondrial morphology and function impaired by dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl Formamide.

In this work, the effects of two non-ionic, non-hydroxyl organic solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl formamide (DMF) on the morphology and function of isolated rat hepatic mitochondria were investigated and compared. Mitochondrial ultrastructures impaired by DMSO and DMF were clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy. Spectroscopic and polarographic results demonstrated that organic solvents induced mitochondrial swelling, enhanced the permeation to H+/K+, collapsed the potential inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), and increased the IMM fluidity. Moreover, with organic solvents addition, the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) was broken, accompanied with the release of Cytochrome c, which could activate cell apoptosis signaling pathway. The role of DMSO and DMF in enhancing permeation or transient water pore formation in the mitochondrial phospholipid bilayer might be the main reason for the mitochondrial morphology and function impaired. Mitochondrial dysfunctions induced by the two organic solvents were dose-dependent, but the extents varied. Ethanol (EtOH) showed the highest potential damage on the mitochondrial morphology and functions, followed by DMF and DMSO.

Cost-effectiveness of Different Intra-articular Drug Injections on Wrist and/or Elbow Compromise in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis: Short-term Results of an Open Observational Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular (IA) injections are an integral part of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are few reports regarding the association between drug effectiveness and cost. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of various combinations of IA injections of betamethasone, hyaluronic acid (HA) or etanercept for oligoarthritis in RA. METHODS: Seventy RA patients were assigned to 4 groups according to the IA injection drug(s): betamethasone alone, betamethasone + etanercept, betamethasone + HA, or etanercept alone. Data for the following were collected before and after IA injection: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), disease activity score in 28 joints calculated with CRP, and patient global visual analog scale. In addition, power Doppler ultrasonography and gray-scale ultrasonography scores were obtained for synovitis, and passive range of motion of joints was measured. RESULTS: Sixty-eight RA patients completed the trial. Compared with patients given etanercept alone, the visual analog scale, power Doppler ultrasonography, and gray-scale ultrasonography scores of each of the other groups were significantly better at each time point. At 1 month, the passive range of motion of joints in patients given betamethasone + HA was significantly better than that of each of the other groups. Synovial hyperplasia improved significantly in all groups, but less so in those given etanercept alone. All other clinical parameters of the 4 groups were similar. The costs per joint for the betamethasone-alone, betamethasone + etanercept, betamethasone + HA, and etanercept-alone groups were, respectively, $7.55, $181.77, $42.68, and $174.22. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular injection of betamethasone alone was the most cost-effective treatment for oligoarthritis of RA. Betamethasone combined with HA injection resulted in the best improvement in joint function.

The Role of Autophagy in Rheumatic Disease.

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved degradation process in triggered by metabolic stress or environmental changes. Autophagy involves formation of autophagosomes, which fuse with lysosomes and degrade encapsulated intracellular components, such as long-lived and misfolded proteins, as well as intracellular organelles. Autophagy has been implicated in a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions, and was recently implicated in the regulation of immunity and inflammation. Rheumatic diseases are a group of disorders characterized by immune system malfunctions in which the body attacks its own tissues. These diseases can seriously threaten human health if untreated. Although the underlying pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases has not yet been fully elucidated, autophagy has been implicated in their progression. In this article, we review the basics of autophagy, and the functional role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Moreover, we reviewed the role of autophagy and autophagy-related genes (Atgs) in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as the pathogenic crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis. Our findings should provide valuable insights into the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. In addition, identification of novel autophagy-associated target proteins may offer a promising target for drugs treating human rheumatic disorders.

Spectroscopic, Polarographic, and Microcalorimetric Studies on Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Ethanol.

Liver mitochondria are involved in several important life processes; mitochondrial dysfunction and disorders are implicated in several human diseases. Alcohol permeates all tissues of the body and exerts some intrinsic hepatotoxicity. In this work, our results demonstrated that ethanol caused a series of mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening factors such as mitochondrial swelling, increased permeability of H+ and K+, collapsed membrane potential, and increased membrane fluidity. Furthermore, mitochondrial ultrastructure alternation observed clearly by transmission electron microscopy and the release of Cytochrome c could explain the MPTP opening from another aspect. Moreover, ethanol damaged the mitochondrial respiration system and induced disturbance of mitochondrial energy metabolism which was monitored by polarographic and microcalorimetric methods, respectively. Considered together, these damages may promote both apoptotic and necrotic cell death and contribute to the onset or progression alcohol-induced liver diseases.

Performance of ultrasound to monitor Achilles enthesitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis during TNF-a antagonist therapy.

Enthesitis is considered as the primary anatomical lesion in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We aimed to investigate the potential of ultrasound to detect early changes after TNF-a antagonist therapy of Achilles enthesitis of AS patients. One hundred AS patients with active disease, requiring TNF-a antagonist therapy, were included (etanercept n = 25, infliximab n = 25, adalimumab n = 25, non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) n = 25). Physical examination was performed to evaluate disease activity and detect Achilles enthesitis and/or retrocalcaneal bursitis. Ultrasound of the Achilles enthesitis was performed bilaterally. Follow-up examinations were performed 3 months after the initiation of therapy. Gray scale (GS) scores, Power Doppler (PD) scores, and total additive scores (TS) decreased significantly during TNF-a antagonist therapy but not in traditional non-biologic traditional DMARDs group. The bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI), bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), and Maastricht ankylosing spondylitis enthesitis score (MASES) all showed significant improvements. When three different TNF-a antagonists were analyzed separately, no significant difference was observed in GS, PD, and total scores. Subclinical Achilles enthesitis, detected only with GS ultrasound, is present in a subset of AS patients and a significant improvement can be demonstrated after 3 months of TNF-a antagonist therapy. Doppler ultrasound provides a reliable estimation to monitor the therapeutic response to TNF antagonists in AS patients with Achilles enthesitis. TNF-a antagonists have been shown to be effective in decreasing ultrasound signs of enthesitis after 3 months of therapy in AS patients.

Increased expression of human leucocyte antigen class I free heavy chains on monocytes of patients with spondyloarthritis and cells transfected with HLA-B27.

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 expression is correlated with spondyloarthritis (SpA), but its role in disease pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of the study was to determine whether HLA-B27 free heavy chain (FHC) contributes to SpA pathogenesis. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the FHC expression on CD3+ and CD14+ cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) from SpA patients, healthy controls, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Human monocytic U937 cell lines stably expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)/HLA-B27, EGFP/HLA-A2 or EGFP alone were created to further investigate the relation between HLA-B27 and FHC expression. The relative FHC level on CD14+ PB cells was significantly higher in SpA patients than in controls, but lower than on the SF cells of SpA patients. No significant correlation was found for relative FHC expression with HLA-B27 or ß2-microglobulin expression. HLA-B27-transfected U937 cells expressed higher FHC levels than either EGFP/HLA-A2- or EGFP-transfected cells. HLA class I FHC expression was significantly increased on monocytes of SpA patients and HLA-B27-transfected cells, implying that FHC, perhaps mostly derived from HLA-B27, plays an important role in SpA pathogenesis.

Platelets induce a proinflammatory phenotype in monocytes via the CD147 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Activated platelets exert a proinflammatory action that can be largely ascribed to their ability to interact with monocytes. However, the mechanisms that promote dynamic changes in monocyte subsets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have not been clearly identified. The aim of this study was to determine whether platelet activation and the consequent formation of monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA) might induce a proinflammatory phenotype in circulating monocytes in RA. METHODS: The surface phenotype of platelets and the frequencies of monocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of RA patients were determined using flow cytometry. Platelets were sorted and co-cultured with monocytes. In addition, monocyte activation was assessed by measuring the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. The disease activity was evaluated using the 28-joint disease activity score. RESULTS: Platelet activation, circulating intermediate monocytes (Mon2) and MPA formation were significantly elevated in RA, especially in those with active disease status. Furthermore, Mon2 monocytes showed higher CD147 expression and responded to direct cell contact with activated platelets with higher cytokine production and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) secretion, which increased the expression of CD147. After the addition of specific antibodies for CD147, those effects were abolished. Furthermore, the NF-κB-driven inflammatory pathway may be involved in this process. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate an important role of platelet activation and the consequent formation of MPA in the generation of the proinflammatory cytokine milieu and for the promotion and maintenance of the pathogenically relevant Mon2 monocyte compartment in RA, which is likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity.

CD147 up-regulates calcium-induced chemotaxis, adhesion ability and invasiveness of human neutrophils via a TRPM-7-mediated mechanism.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether CD147 can up-regulate the chemotactic, adhesive and invasive properties of human neutrophils and to determine the mechanism underlying this process. METHODS: Human promyelocytic leukaemia cells (HL-60) cells and peripheral blood or synovial fluid neutrophils were isolated from RA patients. Under cyclophilin A (CypA) stimulation, chemotaxis, adhesion potential and invasion ability were assessed using chemotaxis, adhesion and invasiveness assays. Lipid raft isolation and western blot were used to determine the mechanism underlying the effects of CypA stimulation. RESULTS: CD147 up-regulates the calcium-induced chemotaxis, adhesion ability and invasiveness of human neutrophils in RA patients. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 may be responsible for this phenomenon. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that in RA patients, abundant CypA up-regulates the calcium-induced chemotactic, adhesive and invasive properties of neutrophils via direct binding to CD147. Cyclophilin-CD147 interactions might contribute to the destruction of cartilage and bone in RA.

Heme oxygenase-1 mediated memorial and revivable protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on brain injury.

AIMS: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has short-term benefits for stroke patients. However, if IPC protective effect is memorial and the role of the intracellular protective protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is not known. METHODS: Ischemic preconditioning and the corresponding sham control were achieved by blocking the blood flow of the left internal carotid artery for 20 min and 2 second, respectively, in rats. Both IPC and sham-operated animals were divided into three groups and treated with PBS, the HO-1 inducer hemin, and the HO-1 inhibitor Znpp. Three weeks after IPC, brain ischemia-reperfusion injury was achieved by left middle cerebral artery obstruction for 45 min followed by 24-h reperfusion. RESULTS: 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and neurological dysfunction scoring showed IPC significantly reduced brain infarct area and improved neurological function occurred 3 weeks after IPC. Hemin treatment promoted whereas ZnPP blocked the benefits of IPC. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting showed that the expression of HO-1 was higher in the border zone than in the necrotic core zone. The memorial IPC protection is independent of adenosine receptor A1R and A2aR expressions. CONCLUSIONS: We found for the first time that the protective effect of IPC can be remembered to protect brain injury occurred after acute response disappear. The results indicate that interventional treatment can achieve protective effect for future cerebral injury not only through interventional treatment itself but also through the memorial and revivable IPC, eliminating the concern that temporary ischemia caused by interventional treatment may leave harmful effect in the brain.

Treatment of foot disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells: response and correction of immunological anomalies.

This study was designed to evaluate the distribution of Tregs/Th17/Th1 cells in type 2 diabetic patients with foot disease before and after human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-MSCs) transplantation. Fifteen diabetic patients with foot disease under insulin therapy received hUCB-MSC transplantation. The hUCB-MSCs were directly injected into the quadriceps thigh muscles in patients with foot disease (cell quantity at 2 x 106 per point). Physical attributes, blood cytokines, blood glucose and insulin dosage were evaluated before treatment and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter. The ratios of Treg/Th17, Treg/Th1, and Th17/Th1 cells were measured using flow cytometry and their correlation with various cytokines (FoxP3, IL-17, INF-γ, C-RP, TNF-α, and VEGF) was scrutinized. Levels of blood glucose and insulin dosage were significantly reduced in all 15 patients following hUCB-MSC transplantation. The ratios of CD4⁺CD25(hi)FoxP3⁺ Treg/Th17 and CD4⁺CD25(hi)FoxP3⁺ Treg/Th1 cells were significantly increased 4 weeks after transplantation (p < 0.01), while the ratio of Th17/Th1 cells remained unchanged. Serum levels of VEGF peaked at 4 weeks following transplantation. Levels of C-RP and TNF-α were significantly reduced 4 weeks after transplantation. Intriguingly, the ratios of Treg/Th17 were positively correlated with VEGF levels, and were inversely correlated with plasma IL-6 levels. Our data indicated that immune disorders are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Levels of blood glucose and required insulin dosage were reduced after hUCB-MSC transplantation accompanied with improved clinical profiles in diabetic patients. These data favor a role for Treg cells in the onset and progression of T2D.

Long-term culture in vitro impairs the immunosuppressive activity of mesenchymal stem cells on T cells.

Improved knowledge of the immunological properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) creates a potential cell-mediated immunotherapeutic approach for arthritic diseases. The low frequency of MSCs necessitates their in vitro expansion prior to clinical use. As sequential passage has been used as the most popular strategy for expansion of MSCs, the effect of long-term culture on the immunological properties of MSCs is not clear. In this study, we observed that the morphology of MSCs showed the typical characteristics of the Hayflick model of cellular aging during sequential expansion. The growth kinetics of MSCs decreased while the number of MSCs staining positive for SA ß-gal (senescence marker) increased in long-term culture. Although long-term culture exerts less of an effect on the immunophenotype of MSCs, the immunosuppressive effects of MSCs on the allogeneic T-cell proliferation, activation-antigen expression (CD69 and CD25) and cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10) were significantly impaired following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA).

Role of the frequency of blood CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+) T cells in autoimmunity in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The blood CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells, known as "circulating" Tfh, have been shown to efficiently induce naïve B cells to produce immunoglobulin. They play an important role in certain autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we show for the first time that the frequency of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells is increased in pSS patients and positively correlated with autoantibodies in the blood. The concentration of Th17-like subsets (CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+)) in pSS patients was found to be significantly higher than in healthy controls. Functional assays showed that activated Th17-like subtypes in the blood display the key features of Tfh cells, including invariably coexpressed PD-1, ICOS, CD40L and IL-21. Th17 subsets were found to highly express Bcl-6 protein and Th1 and Th2 were not. Bcl-6 is believed to be a master transforming factor for Tfh cell differentiation and facilitate B cell proliferation and somatic hypermutation within the germinal center. These data indicate that Th17 subsets of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells in the blood may participate in the antibody-related immune responses and that high frequency of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+) Tfh cells in blood may be suitable biomarkers for the evaluation of the active immune stage of pSS patients. It might provide insights into the pathogenesis and perhaps help researchers identify novel therapeutic targets for pSS.

[The design of smart data collection system for EHR].

This paper presents the design of smart data collection system to deal with the drawbacks like EHR data second hand input which is time-consuming and EHR's poor usability. The system comprises security certification, information management and data transmission modules. Through WLAN, EHR data can transmit between smart terminals and server. Also it provides a real-time communication platform for both terminal users and medical care personnel.

[Activation effects of BCR/ABL antigen on CML T cells mediated by protein transduction domain].

AIM: To study the activation effect of BCR/ABL antigen on T cells from CML patients mediated by protein transduction domain (PTD). METHODS: The fused plasmid containing PTD gene and b3a2 bcr/abl gene of CML was constructed by genetic engineering technique and was expressed in E.coli. The PBMCs from CML patients were stimulated in-vitro with purified PTD-BCR/ABL antigen and then expression of the activation antigen CD25 on CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells after stimulation was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: After stimulation with 100 mg/L of PTD-BCR/ABL antigen (final concentration) for 4 days in-vitro, CD8(+) T cells were activated in 5 of 10 CML patients and CD4(+) T cells were activated in 2 of 10 patients. Both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells were activated simultaneously in one of them. However, neither CD4(+) nor CD8(+) T cells was activated in BCR/ABL antigen stimulation group as control. CONCLUSION: Using a PTD-mediated antigen transduction system, exogenous BCR/ABL antigen can be transferred into APCs and be processed and presented onto surface of APCs to activate Ag-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells in-vitro. The strategy outlined in this paper may provide a new approach for priming Ag-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells in-vitro and immunotherapy of CML.

[Activating effects of protein transduction domain mediated BCR/ABL protein on CML T cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the activating effect of protein transduction domain (PTD) mediated BCR/ABL protein on T cells from CML patients. METHODS: The plasmid containing PTD and b3a2 bcr/abl of CML was constructed by genetic engineering and expressed in E. coli. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CML patients were stimulated in vitro with purified PTD-BCR/ABL protein and the expression of the early activation antigen CD(69) on CD(8)(+) and CD(4)(+) T cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The optimal concentration of PTD-BCR/ABL protein for activating CD(8)(+) T cells in vitro was 100 micro g/ml, CD(69) expression peaked in three days stimulation. CD(8)(+) T cells were activated in 10 of 15 CML patients, the expression rate of CD(69) was (15.01 +/- 3.75)%. CD(4)(+) T cells were activated in 4 of 15 patients, the expression rate of CD(69) was (10.32 +/- 3.08)%. Both CD(8)(+) and CD(4)(+) T cells were activated simultaneously in 3 of them. However, neither CD(4)(+) nor CD(8)(+) T cells was activated by stimulation with BCR/ABL protein in all 15 specimens, the expression rate of CD(69) on CD(8)(+) and CD(4)(+) T cells was (1.36 +/- 0.31)% and (1.41 +/- 0.43)%, respectively. There was no difference compared with that of PBS control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: By using a PTD-mediated antigen delivering system, exogenous BCR/ABL protein can be delivered into APC, processed and presented onto surface of APC to activate Ag-specific CD(8)(+) and CD(4)(+) T cells in vitro.

[Effects of simulated high altitude hypoxia on cognitive performance].

AIM: To investigate the effects of mild and moderate hypoxia on human cognitive performance. METHODS: Eighteen healthy young male volunteers performed a set of tests of human ergonomics at sea level (300 m in Xi'an) and simulated high altitude of 2 800 m, 3 600 m and 4 400 m for 1 h in hypobaric chamber, respectively. RESULTS: The performance of continuous recognition memory tests compared with the controls' was deteriorated significantly (P < 0.01) after exposure to 2 800 m for 1 h. After exposure to 3 600 m for 1 h, in all test, the reaction time was much longer, the accurate rates were lower and the performance was worse than that of control (P < 0.05). All the parameters were deteriorated with the increment of altitude and the performance of all tests were much worse at 4 300 m for 1 h (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Different parameters of human cognitive performance may have different susceptible thresholds to hypoxia according to the results from our studies. The cognitive performance after exposure to 3 600 m for 1 h was not sufficiently effective for the demands of human ergonomics due to its significant deteriorating changes. However, the performance can be effectively restored after exposure to enough oxygen supply for 1 h.