Enhancing strategies of photosynthetic hydrogen production from microalgae: Differences in hydrogen production between prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae.

Hydrogen production through the metabolic bypass of microalgae photosynthesis is an environmentally friendly method. This review examines the genetic differences in hydrogen production between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microalgae. Additionally, the pathways for enhancing microalgae-based photosynthetic hydrogen generation are summarized. The main strategies for enhancing microalgal hydrogen production involve inhibiting the oxygen-generating process of photosynthesis and promoting the oxygen tolerance of hydrogenase. Future research is needed to explore the regulation of physiological metabolism through quorum sensing in microalgae to enhance photosynthetic hydrogen production. Moreover, effective evaluation of carbon emissions and sequestration across the entire photosynthetic hydrogen production process is crucial for determining the sustainability of microalgae-based production approaches through comprehensive lifecycle assessment. This review elucidates the prospects and challenges associated with photosynthetic hydrogen production by microalgae.

A combined regimen based on bortezomib and glucocorticoids for 6 patients with recurrent/refractory immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To observe the efficacy and adverse reactions of a combination therapy regimen based on bortezomib and glucocorticoids in recurrent/refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) . Methods: Six patients with recurrent/refractory TTP were included and treated with a glucocorticoid and two courses of bortezomib-based regimen. The clinical remission status of patients, changes in ADAMTS13 activity/ADAMTS13 inhibitor, and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse reactions were observed. Results: Of the 6 patients, 2 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 21.5 (18-68) years. Refractory TTP was found in 1 case and recurrent TTP in 5 cases. Glucocorticoids were administered with reference to prednisone at 1 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), and gradually reduced in dosage after achieving clinical remission. Bortezomib is subcutaneously administered at 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 with a 28-day treatment course consisting of 2 courses. Six patients achieved clinical remission after receiving bortezomib as the main treatment. ADMATS13 activity returned to normal in all patients with TTP after treatment, and the ADAMTS13 inhibitor turned negative. Thrombocytopenia is the most common adverse reaction after treatment, with other adverse reactions, including peripheral neuritis and abdominal pain, but ultimately all patients returned to normal. In a median follow-up of 26 (9-41) months, 5 patients maintained sustained remission, and 1 patient relapsed after 16 months of bortezomib treatment. Conclusion: Combination therapy of bortezomib and glucocorticoids has a satisfactory therapeutic effect and controllable adverse reactions for recurrent/refractory iTTP.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of hereditary thrombocytopenia and purpura: a report of five cases and literature review / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To report the clinical manifestations and laboratory features of five patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) and explore its standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment along with a review of literature. Methods: Clinical data of patients, such as age of onset, disease manifestation, personal history, family history, and misdiagnosed disease, were collected. Treatment outcomes, therapeutic effects of plasma infusion, and organ function evaluation were observed. The relationship among the clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes, and ADAMTS13 gene mutation of patients with cTTP was analyzed. Additionally, detection of ADAMTS13 activity and analysis of ADAMTS13 gene mutation were explored. Results: The age of onset of cTTP was either in childhood or adulthood except in one case, which was at the age of 1. The primary manifestations were obvious thrombocytopenia, anemia, and different degrees of nervous system involvement. Most of the patients were initially suspected of having immune thrombocytopenia. Acute cTTP was induced by pregnancy and infection in two and one case, respectively. ADAMTS13 gene mutation was detected in all cases, and there was an inherent relationship between the mutation site, clinical manifestations, and degree of organ injury. Therapeutic or prophylactic plasma transfusion was effective for treating cTTP. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of cTTP vary among individuals, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis that delays treatment. ADAMTS13 activity detection in plasma and ADAMTS13 gene mutation analysis are important bases to diagnose cTTP. Prophylactic plasma transfusion is vital to prevent the onset of the disease.

Epigenetic role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in the cardiovascular system / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

As the most prevalent and abundant transcriptional modification in the eukaryotic genome, the continuous and dynamic regulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been shown to play a vital role in physiological and pathological processes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as ischemic heart failure (HF), myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiomyogenesis. Regulation is achieved by modulating the expression of m6A enzymes and their downstream cardiac genes. In addition, this process has a major impact on different aspects of internal biological metabolism and several other external environmental effects associated with the development of CVDs. However, the exact molecular mechanism of m6A epigenetic regulation has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we outline recent advances and discuss potential therapeutic strategies for managing m6A in relation to several common CVD-related metabolic disorders and external environmental factors. Note that an appropriate understanding of the biological function of m6A in the cardiovascular system will pave the way towards exploring the mechanisms responsible for the development of other CVDs and their associated symptoms. Finally, it can provide new insights for the development of novel therapeutic agents for use in clinical practice.

Persistence of immune memory and its related factors at 12 years after hepatitis B vaccination among adults / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To estimate the immune memory at 12 years after hepatitis B vaccination and its risk factors among adults.@*Methods@#The study was conducted in 20 villages of Qudi town in Jiyang county, Shandong province, China in 2003. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were tested for all healthy residents aged 15-40 years in these villages. Those who had no history of hepatitis B vaccination and were negative for all three indicators were divided into two groups randomly. Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) was administrated to them on 0-6 month schedule or 0-1-6 month schedule respectively. Blood samples were obtained at one month after the last dose for each receipt and were quantitatively detected for anti-HBs. Finally a total of 629 participants completed HepB vaccination and anti-HBs testing, including 288 of two-dose group and 341 of three-dose group respectively. In 2015, an additional dose of HepB (challenge dose) was administrated to those who were negative for anti-HBs at follow-up (anti-HBs <10 mIU/ml) to evaluate the immune memory. A total of 93 blood samples, including 50 of two-dose group and 43 of three-dose group respectively, were drawn at 14 days after the challenge dose and anti-HBs was quantitatively detected. The anti-HBs geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) after the challenge dose were compared between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression model was built to find the independent risk factors associated with immune memory response (anti-HBs GMC after the challenge dose).@*Results@#The challenge dose of HepB and post-challenge anti-HBs detection were completed among 93 participants. Totally 92 (98.92%, 92/93) participants were found holding immune memory (anti-HBs after the challenge dose was ≥10 mIU/ml). The immune memory positive rates were 100% (50/50) and 97.67% (42/43) in the two-dose group and three-dose group respectively and the corresponding anti-HBs GMC after challenge dose were 2 684.30 (95%CI: 1 721.71-4 185.08) mIU/ml and 3 527.48 (95%CI: 2 145.15-5 800.58) mIU/ml (P=0.410). The anti-HBs GMC after the challenge dose were 1 908.33 (95%CI: 1 190.01-3 060.27) mIU/ml, 4 004.20 (95%CI: 2 257.90-7 101.12) mIU/ml and 8 682.16 (95%CI: 5 813.94-12 965.36) mIU/ml among the participants whose anti-HBs titer was<4, 4-6 and 7-9 mIU/ml at follow-up, respectively (P=0.002). There was no correlation between immune schedule and anti-HBs GMC after the challenge dose; β (95%CI) was -0.07 (-0.34-0.20), P=0.601.@*Conclusion@#The immune memory after primary hepatitis B vaccination lasted for at least 12 years among adults. The immune memory response was independently associated with ant-HBs titer at follow-up, but might be similar between 0-6 month schedule and 0-1-6 month schedule.

[Effects of Gas/Water Ratio on the Characteristics of Nitrogen Removal and the Microbial Community in Post Solid-Phase Denitrification Biofilter Process].

To solve the problems of high-energy consumption, complex processes, and low nitrogen removal efficiency in the currently available low carbon source wastewater treatment processes, a novel coagulation sedimentation/post solid-phase denitrification biofilter process (CS-BAF-SPDB) was proposed. The effect of gas/water ratio on nitrogen removal efficiency of the CS-BAF-SPDB was studied. The changes in the microbial community structure along the varying gas/water ratio were investigated, and the functional bacteria were identified using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). The results showed that, to realize favorable nitrifying and denitrifying performance simultaneously in the BAF-SPDB unit, the gas/water ratio of the BAF should be set at 4∶1. In addition, the influence of the macro operational parameters on the performance of the BAF and SPDB had a direct relationship with the dynamic changes in the micro microbial community. The influence of gas/water ratio on nitrification performance in the BAF was mainly embodied in the changes of composition, amount, and activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Candidatus and Nitrospira defluvii and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria Nitrosomonas sp. Nm47, whereas that on denitrification performance in the SPDB was mainly embodied in the changes of composition and amount of solid carbon substrate degrading denitrifying bacteria Pseudomonas sp. and Myxobacterium AT3-03 and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria Dechloromonas agitate, Comamonas granuli, and Rubrivivax gelatinosus.

The diagnostic value of PLASMIC score in the discrimination between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and disseminated intravascular coagulation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: PLASMIC score was evaluated its value in differential diagnosis between the patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and those with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) . Method: Twenty-four patients with TTP and 41 cases with DIC were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The platelet count, average red blood cell volume, indirect bilirubin, creatinine and prothrombin time international normalised ratio were collected, and then PLASMIC scores were calculated. Results: According to the risk classification of PLASMIC score, three (12.5%) TTP patients had moderate risk, and the rest 21 (87.5%) cases had high risk. In DIC patients, 92.7% cases were in low risk group, 4.9% at moderate risk, and only one case had high risk. Of these 65 patients, the sensitivity and the specificity to TTP of the high risk of the scoring system were 87.5% and 97.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The patients with high risk of PLASMIC score correlated well with clinical TTP diagnosis. The scoring system showed to be an excellent diagnostic model to distinguish TTP patients from those with DIC.

CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism and monitoring voriconazole plasma concentrations in the treatment and prevention of invasive fungal disease for hematological patients / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effects of CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism on the plasma concentration of voriconazole in patients with hematological disease and the value of serial monitoring plasma concentrations in the treatment and prevention of invasive fungal disease (IFD). Methods: From January 2016 to December 2016, 65 hematological patients who received voriconazole intravenous administration for the treatment of invasive fungal disease were enrolled in this study. The population CYP2C19 polymorphism of voriconazole were performed using PCR-Pyrosequencing. The trough plasma concentrations of vriconazole (Ctrough) was detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Based on the genotype analysis, 65 subjects were identified as extensive metabolizers' group (30 cases) and poor metabolizers' group (35 cases). The Ctrough of the 65 patients were detected for 169 times totally, and there was a significant difference of Ctrough values between the two groups [0.98(0.38-2.08) mg/L vs 2.19(1.53-4.27) mg/L, z=10.286, P<0.001]. The medium of Ctrough in 65 hematological patients were described. Lack of response to therapy was more frequent in patients with voriconazole levels <1.5 mg/L (50.0%) than in those with voriconazole levels >1.5 mg/L (20.5%) (P=0.052). And the risk of adverse events was more frequent in patients with voriconazole levels >5.5 mg/L (80.0%) than in those with voriconazole levels ≤5.5 mg/L (8.3%) (χ2=11.689, P=0.020). Conclusion: Patients with CYP2C19 wild-type phenotype are extensive metabolizers, their Ctrough of voriconazole are significantly lower than patients with CYP2C19 non-wild-type phenotype (poor metabolizers). Appropriate concentrations of vriconazole can improve the efficacy and safety during treatment.

Simultaneous determination of nine components in Kanglixin Jiaonang by HPLC wavelength switching combined gradient elution method / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To develop an HPLC wavelength switching combined gradient elution method for simultaneous determi?nation of nine components in Kanglixin Jiaonang(KLXJN). Methods The analysis was performed on a Kromasil C18(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5μm)with gradient elution by using the mobile phase of acetonitrile-methanol(1:2)(A)-0.1%phosphoric acid solution(B). The col?umn temperature was maintained at 30℃and the flow rate was 0.9 ml/min. The detection wavelengths were set at 225 nm for costuno?lide(1)and dehydrocostus lactone(2),254 nm for aloe-emodin(3),rhein(4),emodin(5)and physcion(6),and 425 nm for bisde?methoxycurcumin(7),demethoxycurcumin(8)and curcumin(9). Results The calibration curves were linear within the range(μg/ml)of 6.610-132.2(r=0.9999)for 1,7.890-157.8(r=0.9996)for 2,14.07-281.4(r=0.9992)for 3,3.450-69.00(r=0.9997)for 4, 2.670-53.40(r=0.9998)for 5,3.760-75.20(r=0.9999)for 6,5.880-117.6(r=0.9996)for 7,8.490-169.8(r=0.9993)for 8,and 13.91-278.2(r=0.9991)for 9,respectively. The recoveries for 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 were 98.28%(RSD=1.09%),97.76%(RSD=0.80%),99.08%(RSD=1.72%),97.19%(RSD=1.00%),98.45%(RSD=1.24%),96.96%(RSD=1.21%),98.51%(RSD=1.55%), 97.52%(RSD=0.83%),and 100.04%(RSD=0.93%),respectively. Conclusion The established method is accurate,rapid and can be used for the quality control of KLXJN.

Prevalence of hepatitis A antibody among population covered by different hepatitis A immunization strategies in Shandong Province, 2015, China / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate prevalence of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV IgG) among population covered by different hepatitis A vaccine immunization strategies in Shandong Province in 2015.@*Methods@#In October 2015, according to the geographical location of Shandong Province, the stratified random sampling method was used to stratify the 17 municipal distrcts, and the random number table method was used for sampling, First, two eastern cites (Qingdao, Rizhao), two western cities (Liaocheng, Zaozhuang) and three central cities (Jinan, Zibo and Laiwu) were selected; secondly, one county was drawn from each city. Finally, the participants were divided into five age groups including ≤7 years (age group covered by free hepatitis A vaccination strategy), 8-11 years (age group who receive hepatitis A vaccination at their own charge), 12-24 years (age group covered by catch-up vaccination of hepatitis A), 25-34 years (age group born before hepatitis A vaccine was used) and ≥35 years (age group born before hepatitis A vaccine was used). After all the paticipants or their guardians asked and registered basic information such as age, gender, home address, blood samples were collected from them and anti-HAV IgG was detected by ELISA method. The positive rate of anti-HAV IgG and 95%CI were calculated.@*Results@#A total of 1 654 participants were involved in the final analysis, including 856 males (51.75%) and 798 females (48.25%) whose mean age was (13.44±13.06) years. The crude positive rate of anti-HAV IgG was 91.41% (1 512/1 654, 95%CI: 89.96%-92.72%) and the age-adjusted rate was 90.93% (95%CI: 90.92%-90.94%). The positive rates of anti-HAV IgG was at the highest level in the age group of ≤7 years (95.90%, 95%CI: 95.88%-95.91%) and was at the lowest level in the age group of 25-34 years (83.23%, 95%CI: 83.21%-83.25%). The age-specific positive rates of anti-HAV IgG in eastern areas (96.79%, 95%CI: 96.78%-96.80%) were higher than those in both middle areas (86.66%, 95%CI: 86.65%-86.67%) and western areas (91.96%, 95%CI: 91.95%-91.97%).@*Conclusion@#The positive rate of anti-HAV IgG was high among the general population in Shandong Province, but relatively low among young and middle-aged adults. Besides the routine immunization of hepatitis A among the children, more efforts should be taken for the prevention and control of hepatitis A among young and middle-aged adults in Shandong Province, especially in central and western areas.

Expressions of Th1-Th2-Th17 cytokines in mice chronic viral myocarditis / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the expressions of Th 1-Th2-Th17 cytokines in the coxsackievirus B 3-induced mice chronic viral myocarditis(VMC).Methods:BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally(i.p) infected with increased CVB3 for establishing chronic VMC models.Control mice were treated with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)i.p.Cardiac tissues were obtained 8 weeks after CVB3 in-jection,myocardial histopathologic changes were observed by HE and Masson staining .Th1-Th2-Th17 cytokines in plasma were detected by protein array technology , and their cardiac mRNA expressions were measured by RT-PCR.Results: Compared with the control group,levels of IL-2,IL-5,IL-10,IL-13,IL-17,IL-6,IL-22,IL-21 and TGF-βobviously increased in chronic VMC group (P all<0.05). Conclusion:The imbalance of Th1-Th2-Th17 cytokines may play an important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic VMC .

Microbial and metabolic characterization of a denitrifying phosphorus-uptake/side stream phosphorus removal system for treating domestic sewage.

In this study, an advanced wastewater treatment process, the denitrifying phosphorus/side stream phosphorus removal system (DPR-Phostrip), was developed for the purpose of enhancing denitrifying phosphorus removal. The enrichment of denitrifying phosphorus-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) and the microbial community structure of DPR-Phostrip were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), and the metabolic activity of seed sludge and activated sludge collected after 55 days of operation were evaluated by Biolog™ analysis. This experimental study of DPR-Phostrip operation showed that nutrients were removed effectively, and denitrifying phosphorus removal was observed during the pre-anoxic period. PCR-DGGE analysis indicated that DPR-Phostrip supported DPAO growth while inhibiting PAOs and GAOs. The major dominant species in DPR-Phostrip were Bacteroidetes bacterium, Saprospiraceae bacterium, and Chloroflexi bacterium. Moreover, the functional diversity indices calculated on the basis of Biolog analysis indicated that DPR-Phostrip had almost no effect on microbial community diversity but was associated with a shift in the dominant species, which confirms the results of the PCR-DGGE analysis. The results for average well color development, calculated via Biolog analysis, showed that DPR-Phostrip had a little impact on the metabolic activity of sludge. Further principal component analysis suggested that the ability to utilize low-molecular-weight organic compounds was reduced in DPR-Phostrip.

Resistant mechanism of β-lactam antibiotic of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To understand the drug resistance and antibiotic resistance mechanism ofβ-lactam antibiotics of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from Shanghai Children′s Hospital, provides the reference for the rational use of antimicrobial agents.Methods This study is based on the research of the mechanism of drug resistance.62 isolates of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected from Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2005 to December 2011.Minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MIC) of strains to 9 antimicrobial agents were determined by E-test method.The penicillin binding protein coding genes pbp2x, pbp2b, and pbp1a of Streptococcus pneumoniae were amplified by PCR.Then, the correlation between the gene mutation andβ-lactam antibiotics resistant level were analyzed.The murM gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae was amplified by PCR and the correlation of mutation and β-lactam antibiotics resistant level was analyzed.Results Out of 62 strains of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae from children, the detection rate of penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was 43.6% (27/62).Between penicillin intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae ( PISP ) ( 100%, 25/25 ) and penicillin sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae (PSSP) (3/10), the difference of gene mutation rate near the pbp2b conserved sequence was statistically significant (χ2 =21.875, P<0.01).The same situation occurred between penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP)(100%, 27/27)and PSSP (3/10) (χ2 =23.310, P<0.01).Also the difference of gene mutation rate of PISP (84%, 21/25) vs PSSP (0) and PSSP (0) vs PRSP (85.2%, 23/27) near or in the pbp2x conserved sequence were statistically significant (χ2 =21.000, P <0.01;χ2 =22.513,P<0.01).The difference of gene mutation rate near the pbp1a conserved sequence and Insertion sequence, which were statistically significant, occurred between PISP and PSSP (χ2 =13.22,P<0.01), between PRSP and PSSP (χ2 =37.000,P<0.01), between PISP and PRSP (χ2 =10.211,P=0.001). MurM gene mutation rate was statistically significant different between the 2 group penicillin MIC≥8 mg/L or ceftriaxone MIC≥2 mg/L group (95.8%, 23/24) and penicillin MIC<8 mg/L or ceftriaxone MIC<2 mg/L group (0) (χ2 =56.2,P =0.002 6).Conclusions The resistance phenomenon of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Shanghai Children′s Hospital is serious.The gene mutations of pbps and murM play a role in amide in the beta of antibiotic resistance, and there is a certain correlation with the antibiotic resistance level.

Interleukin-17 contributes to the macrophage secretion of interleukin-27 in a murine model of viral myocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has been reported to reduce the levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and alleviate the severity of experimental autoimmune myocarditis. IL-17, an important tissue-protective cytokine in viral myocarditis (VMC), has been reported to increase synovial expression of IL-27 in rheumatoid arthritis. However, the influence of IL-17 on IL-27 expression in murine model of VMC remains unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wild-type (WT) and IL-17A-deficient (IL-17A(-/-)) mice on the BALB/c background were intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) for establishing VMC models. Cardiac tissue was obtained on day 7 after CVB3 injection. Myocardial histopathologic changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained myocardial sections.Expression of IL-27 in heart and serum was measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Furthermore, splenic lymphocytes and peritoneal macrophages were purified 1 week after injection from WT mice.Isolated lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of different concentrations (0 and 25 ng/ml) of recombinant IL-17 (rIL-17) for 24 h. Macrophages were cultured with different concentrations of rIL-17 (0 and 10 ng/ml) for 48 h.IL-27 mRNA expression of cultured cells was assayed by RT-PCR, and their protein level in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with WT mice, significantly less cardiac inflammation was evidenced in the heart of IL-17A-/- mice (0.9 ± 0.3 vs.1.9 ± 0.5) , relative cardiac IL-27 p28 mRNA expressions (1.11 ± 0.24 vs.3.1 ± 0.8) and serum IL-27 protein[(72 ± 18) pg/ml vs.(95 ± 25) pg/ml] were also significantly lower in IL-17A-/- mice (all P < 0.05).In the culture lymphocytes, the relative mRNA (1.02 ± 0.13 vs.1.32 ± 0.21) and protein [(49 ± 9) pg/ml vs.(52 ± 11) pg/ml]expressions of IL-27 p28 and were similar post treatment with 0 and 25 ng/ml rIL-17 (all P > 0.05). Compared with 0 ng/ml rIL-17 culture with macrophages, higher relative mRNA (8.5 ± 3.1 vs.2.2 ± 0.7) and protein [(368 ± 95) pg/ml vs.(150 ± 38) pg/ml] expressions of IL-27 p28 were detected in 10 ng/ml rIL-17 group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our data indicates that cytokine IL-17 may contribute to the secretion of IL-27 in VMC mice.Furthermore, macrophages but not lymphocytes may be the important IL-27-producing immune cells and major target cells for IL-17. Thus,IL-27 and IL-17 might be actively involved in the pathogenesis of VMC.</p>

[Comparison and analysis of hyperspectral remote sensing identifiable models for different vegetation under waterlogging stress].

With the global climate warming, flooding disasters frequently occurred and its influence scope constantly increased in China. The objective of the present paper was to study the leaf spectral features of vegetation (maize and beetroot) under waterlogging stress and design a hyperspectral remote sensing model to monitor the flooding disasters through a field simulated experiment. The experiment was carried out in the Sutton Bonington Campus of University of Nottingham (52.8 degrees N, 1. 2 degrees W) from May to August in 2008, and samples were collected one time every week and spectra were measured in the laboratory. The result showed that the reflectance of the maize and beetroot decreased in the 550 and 800-1 300 nm region, and the reflectance slightly increased in the 680 nm region. This paper chose NDVI, SIPI, PRI, SRPI, GNDVI and R800 * R550/R680 to identify the vegetation under waterlogging stress, respectively. The result suggested that the SIPI and R800 * R550/R680 was sensitive for maize under waterlogging stress, and then SIPI and PRI and R800 * R550/R680 was sensitive for beetroot under waterlogging stress. In order to seek the best identifiable model, the normalized distances between means of control and stressed vegetation indices were calculated and analyzed, the result indicated that the distance of R800 * R550/R680 is more than that of indices' in the early stress stage, illustrated that the index identifiable ability for waterlogging stress is better than other indices, then the index has the strong sensitivity and stability. Therefore, the index R800 * R550/R680 could be used to quickly extract flooding disaster area by using hyperspectral remote sensing, and would provide information support for disaster relief decisions.

Regulatory effect of yijing fang on adenine-induced infertility in rat models: a pharmacodynamic study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulatory effect of Yijing Fang (YJF) on adenine-induced infertility in rats with kidney deficiency.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy Wistar male rats, aged 1.5 mo and weighing (180 +/- 10) g, were normally fed for a week, and then divided into five groups of equal number (blank control, infertile model, high-dose YJF, mid-dose YJF, and low-dose YJF) according to the body weight of the rats. The models were made by intragastric administration of 500 mg/ml adenine in gum arabic solution in the ratio of 1:10 at the dose of 1 ml per 100 g body weight per day for 10 days. YJF was given at 3.38 g, 1.69 g and 0.85 g per 100 g body weight per day to the rats in the high-, mid- and low-dose groups, respectively. After 48 days of treatment, we observed kidney deficiency-related changes in sperm concentration and motility, the levels of testosterone (T) and other hormones and the volumes of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate, and compared the indexes among different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>YJF exhibited a significant regulatory effect on sperm concentration and motility, the T level and the indexes of the gonad and other accessory glands in the model rats (P < 0.05). After 48 days of treatment, sperm concentrations were (87.85 +/- 28.44), (7.11 +/- 2.15), (35.98 +/- 14.04), (32.65 +/- 11.80) and (33.51 +/- 13.26) x 10(6)/ml in the blank control, infertile model, high-dose YJF, mid-dose YJF, and low-dose YJF groups, respectively; sperm motilities were (52.79 +/- 16.43), (31.14 +/- 3.07), (45.88 +/- 16.97), (51.56 +/- 13.35) and (49.53 +/- 10.16)%; the T levels were (194.07 +/- 40.29), (61.27 +/- 13.70), (121.87 +/- 24.35), (127.44 +/- 19.38) and (127.81 +/- 20.28) nmol/L; the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were (7.017 +/- 0.269), (6.117 +/- 0.894), (7.060 +/- 0.871), (7.156 +/- 0.937) and (6.967 +/- 0.778) IU/L; the testis volumes were (3.775 +/- 0.183), (2.865 +/- 0.258), (3.236 +/- 0.058), (3.457 +/- 0.066) and (3.398 +/- 0.091) g; the epididymis volumes were (1.119 +/- 0.116), (0.833 +/- 0.226), (1.124 +/- 0.104), (1.132 +/- 0.107) and (1.114 +/- 0.106) g; the prostate volumes were (176.75 +/- 427.09), (131.67 +/- 39.45), (178.70 +/- 37.97), (180.11 +/- 37.39) and (179.00 +/- 35.42) mg; and the body weights were (188.50 +/- 7.12), (189.92 +/- 6.67), (187.42 +/- 5.47), (189.17 +/- 6.19) and (188.75 +/- 6.12) g. Testis histopathology showed obvious injuries in the infertile models and different degrees of improvement in the three YJF groups, most evidently in the mid-dose group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yifing Fang had an evident therapeutic effect on kidney deficiency-related infertility in adenine-induced rat models.</p>

Transfection of exogenous gene: Lac Z into spinal cord of SD rats and its protein expression:an in vivo study / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a way of the gene therapy for acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) by vivo transfection of exogenous gene into spinal cord tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four rats of SD were divided into experiment group and control group (each group had 12 rats). After anaesthesia by abdominal cavity, lamina of thoracic vertebra of all rats were cut-open in prone position. Complex of plasmid and report gene-Lac Z, and plasmid without report gene-Lac Z were respectively injected into cavum subdural of SD rats of experiment group and control group by cation liposome (DOTAP) encapsulation. The rats were killed at the 2nd week after operation, spinal cord tissue of injected segments were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In experiment group, positive staining of beta-galactosidase can be clearly observed in neuron and glia cell of rat's spinal cord by immunohistochemistry detection. Lac Z mRNA in same area was also detected by RT-PCR. But, in control group, no above-mentioned positive results were found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Effective transfection of exogenous gene in vivo into spinal cord is a new hot spot for treatment of SCI. Thus certain nerve growth factor imput partly area of spinal cord injury can promote central nerve regrowth and avoid early secondary injury.</p>

Distinct different expression of Th17 and Th9 cells in coxsackie virus B3-induced mice viral myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a new subset of CD4+T helper(Th) cell that predominantly secret cytokine interleukin-9(IL-9) is identified, termed Th9 cell. It has been reported to participate in tissue inflammation and autoimmune responses, and induce disease which differed from Th17 cells. Th17 cells have been shown to play a critical role in viral myocarditis (VMC), but whether Th9 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of VMC remains unclear. RESULTS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with coxsackie virus B3(CVB3) for establishing VMC models. Control mice were treated with phosphate-buffered saline i.p. On day 0,7,14,21,28,35,42 after injection, myocardial histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Splenic Th17 and Th9 cells subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. And cardiac IL-17, IL-9 mRNA were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and nested PCR, respectively. Results showed the levels of Th17 cells and IL-17 mRNA obviously increased in VMC mice on 7 day after infection, peaked on day 28, and highly persisted to at least day 42 (p < 0.05). While the frequencies of Th9 cells and IL-9 mRNA showed no significant difference between VMC and control group throughout the course of the experiment(p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was differentiated Th17 but not Th9 cells significantly elevated in the development of CVB3-induced VMC. The microenvironment of VMC seemed to contribute to the differentiation and proliferation of Th17 rather than Th9 cells. Our preliminary data implied Th9 cells could not protect against VMC nor promote the disease.

Treatment with a neutralizing anti-murine interleukin-17 antibody after the onset of coxsackievirus b3-induced viral myocarditis reduces myocardium inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, some studies indicate that interleukin (IL)-17, known as a T cell (Th17)-derived proinflammatory cytokine, is the major mediator of tissue inflammation in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Viral myocarditis (VMC) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, but the role for IL-17 in VMC is not well defined. RESULTS: Using IL-17 monoclonal antibody (IL-17mAb)-treated VMC mice, we tested the pathogenic role of IL-17 in the development of VMC. VMC mice were treated with monoclonal rat anti-murine IL-17 antibody (anti-IL-17) or rat IgG(2A) isotype control or phosphate-buffered solution 3 days after Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) injection. Normal mice without any manipulation were taken as normal control. The survival rates of mice were monitored and heart pathology was examined histologically. IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA of the myocardium were assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Systemic IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and local myocardium IL-17 expression was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate the frequencies of Th17 subsets in CD4(+) T cells. Results showed that neutralization of IL-17 with anti-IL-17 can ameliorate clinical symptoms, defer disease course, decrease serum IL-17 level, without declining the IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA transcript level and serum IL-6, TNF-α level. The differentiation and proliferation of the Th17 cells were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that IL-17 is crucially involved in the pathogenesis of murine VMC, IL-17 inhibition might ameliorate the myocardium inflammation after the onset of VMC.

Late recurrent high degree atrioventricular block after percutaneous closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

High degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB) is a serious complication of transcatheter closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD). We report one patient who developed transient HDAVB seven days after transcathter closure of PMVSD and had recurrent HDAVB 42 months after the procedure.