[Predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance-derived parameters on the improvement of left ventricular function in patients with acute viral myocarditis].

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived parameters on the improvement of left ventricular function in patients with acute viral myocarditis. Methods: Forty patients, who referred for acute viral myocarditis in our hospital from September 2011 to September 2015, were prospectively enrolled in this study.All patients were examined by CMR during hospitalization for acute viral myocarditis (baseline) and after 12 months.The CMR sequences include: two dimension steady state free precession, 2D SSFP; triple inversion recovery, triple IR; early gadolinium enhancement; phase sensitive inversion recovery turbo field echo, PSIR TFE. Results: Thirty out of 40 patients with susceptive acute viral myocarditis met the CMR criteria of acute viral myocarditis (Lake Louise Criteria) (LL+ ) and the other 10 patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria (LL-). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values were significantly lower in LL+ group than in LL- group at baseline and at 12 months after discharge (P<0.01 or 0.05, respectively). The baseline left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) was significantly higher in LL+ group than in LL- group (P<0.05) and was similar between the groups at 12 months follow up.Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI )was similar between the two groups at baseline and at 12 months follow up.LVEF was significantly higher during 12 months follow up compared to baseline in LL+ group and remained unchanged in LL- group during the two time points.LVESVI and LVEDVI remained unchanged at baseline and during 12 months follow up both in LL+ and LL- groups (P>0.05). Results showed that LL+ , edema ratio (ER) positive and global relative enhancement (gRE) positive were associated with significant increase of LVEF at 12 months follow up.However, LL-, ER negative, gRE negative, late gadolinium enhancement(LGE) negative and LGE positive linked with unchanged LVEF at 12 months follow up (P>0.05). Patients were further divided into LVEF increase (ΔLVEF≥5%) group and non LVEF increase group (ΔLVEF<5%), the results of Chi-square test showed that LL+ and ER positive were related to the improvement of LVEF (P<0.05), while gRE and LGE were not associated with improvement of cardiac function (P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis, using ER, gRE and LGE as independent variables and LVEF as dependent variables, showed that the presence of myocardial edema was the strongest independent predictor of an increase in LVEF at follow up (full model: non-standardized coefficient 0.445, P=0.043; reduced model: non-standardized coefficient 0.442, P=0.12). Conclusion: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging monitoring is valuable to observe the cardiac function and morphology changes in patients with acute viral myocarditis, and myocardial edema imaging is the most powerful parameter to predict the improvement of LVEF in this patient cohort.

[The effect and factors associated with outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in refractory cardiogenic shock patients].

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and factors associated with outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in refractory cardiogenic shock patients. Methods: Patients with refractory cardiogenic shock received ECMO treatment in our hospital from May 2013 to November 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical status before ECMO support, ECMO timing, complications and outcome were observed and analyzed.The hemodynamic data and the amount of vasoactive drugs at 2 hours before ECMO support and at 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours after ECMO support were collected and compared. Results: Ten refractory cardiogenic shock patients were included in this study (5 acute fulminant myocarditis patients, 4 acute myocardial infarction patients, 1 myocardial rupture patient (6 males, 4 females, age ranged 12 to 56 years). Before ECMO, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was (31.4±10.2)%, the mean score of APACHE Ⅱ was 26.6±10.8. Eight patients developed cardiac arrests and the duration of CPR ranged from 10 to 300 minutes and three patients received IABP. CVP decreased, BP increased, HR decreased, ScVO2 increased, dose of dobutamine decreased at 2 hours after ECMO support. After ECMO support for 6 hours, lactate decreased, dose of norepinephrine decreased. After ECMO support for 24 and 48 hours, hemodynamics became stable and shock was significantly improved. Complication including infection of limb and catheterization site occurred in 3 patients, femoral arterial thrombosis occurred in 2 patients, critical limb ischemia occurred in 2 patients, hemorrhage at the catheterization site occurred in 2 patients. The duration of ECMO ranged from 2 to 220 hours. Nine patients could be weaned off ECMO support and 6 patients survived to hospital discharge. Two patients died due to too late ECMO support, the other two patients died due to severe complication of limb. Conclusions: ECMO can rapidly improve hemodynamic stability of patients with cardiogenic shock. Accurate assessing the timing of ECMO support and decreasing complication of limb play a critical role on improving outcome in refractory cardiogenic shock patients.

Optimization of pyrethroid and repellent on fabrics against Stegomyia albopicta (=Aedes albopictus) using a microencapsulation technique.

A new approach employing a combination of pyrethroid and repellent is proposed to improve the protective efficacy of conventional pyrethroid-treated fabrics against mosquito vectors. In this context, the insecticidal and repellent efficacies of commonly used pyrethroids and repellents were evaluated by cone tests and arm-in-cage tests against Stegomyia albopicta (=Aedes albopictus) (Diptera: Culicidae). At concentrations of LD50 (estimated for pyrethroid) or ED50 (estimated for repellent), respectively, the knock-down effects of the pyrethroids or repellents were further compared. The results obtained indicated that deltamethrin and DEET were relatively more effective and thus these were selected for further study. Synergistic interaction was observed between deltamethrin and DEET at the ratios of 5 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 (but not 1 : 5). An optimal mixing ratio of 7 : 5 was then microencapsulated and adhered to fabrics using a fixing agent. Fabrics impregnated by microencapsulated mixtures gained extended washing durability compared with those treated with a conventional dipping method. Results indicated that this approach represents a promising method for the future impregnation of bednet, curtain and combat uniform materials.

Expression pattern of tumour-associated antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma: association with immune infiltration and disease progression.

BACKGROUND: The distinct expression pattern of tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) might be a critical reason for the inefficacy of immunity-based treatments and heterogeneous postsurgical recovery in patients with solid tumours, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the clinical value of the coexpression patterns of multiple TAAs. METHODS: We determined the expression of multiple TAAs with identified immunogenicity (GPC3, AFP, SSX-2, NY-ESO-1, EpCAM, midkine) and the density of tumour-infiltrating immune cells by immunohistochemistry in a panel of 362 primary HCC patients. We evaluated the association between the TAAs, immune cell infiltration, clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis. RESULTS: Patients who coexpressed more TAAs had better prognosis (P<0.00001, overall survival). The integrated pattern of TAA was associated with good differentiation and small tumour size, and with more CD57(+) natural killer and CD20(+) B-cell infiltration (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified the TAA index as an independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio 0.625; 95% confidence interval 0.467-0.837; P=0.002), and could further predict patient prognosis in collaboration with local immune infiltration. CONCLUSION: Our results could provide new evidence for the improvement of prognostic molecular signatures in HCC, and a novel rationale for patient enrolment in future immunotherapeutic trials and/or clinical treatments.

[gwasfilter: an R script to filter genome-wide association study].

Objective: To develop an R script that can efficiently and accurately filter genome-wide association studies (GWASs) from the GWAS Catalog Website. Methods: The selection principles of GWASs were established based on previous studies. The process of manual filtering in the GWAS Catalog was abstracted as standard algorithms. The R script (gwasfilter.R) was written by two programmers and tested many times. Results: It takes six steps for gwasfilter.R to filter GWASs. There are five main self-defined functions among this R script. GWASs can be filtered based on "whether the GWAS has been replicated" "sample size" "ethnicity of the study population" and other conditions. It takes no more than 1 second for this script to filter GWASs of a single trait. Conclusions: This R script (gwasfilter.R) is user-friendly and provides an efficient and standard process to filter GWASs flexibly. The source code is available at github (https://github.com/lab319/gwas_filter).

CK19 mRNA expression in the bone marrow of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance.

The 5-year survival rate in resectable patients with esophageal cancer is only 20% to 36%. Regional relapse and distant metastasis are responsible for the failure of treatment and the majority of cancer-related deaths. Earlier detection of metastases, especially micrometastases, has the potential for more accurate risk stratification in subsequent therapy decisions. No effective techniques have yet been found to detect metastases in erroneously thought to have early stage disease. This study was designed to investigate the clinical significance of bone marrow micrometastases detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients with esophageal cancer. Expression of CK19 mRNA in the bone marrow of 61 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 15 benign pulmonary and esophageal disease patients was assessed via RT-PCR. Correlation of CK19 mRNA expression to the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the 61 patients was analyzed: 21.3% (13/61) were positive for expression of CK19 mRNA in patients with ESCC. No CK19 mRNA was detected of the 15 benign pulmonary and esophageal disease patients. CK19 mRNA expression did not correlate with the clinicopathologic features of the patients with ESCC, but patients with CK19 mRNA-positive bone marrow had earlier recurrence and shorter survival after surgery. In multivariate analysis, CK19 mRNA was found to be an independent predictor of a poor outcome. CK19 mRNA may be used as a molecular maker to detect bone marrow micrometastases in patients with ESCC and may help to select the proper therapy and predict the prognosis.

Inhibitive effect of diphenytriazol on rat cytochrome P450 enzyme in vitro.

The inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol, a non-hormonal early pregnancy-terminating agent, towards cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in rat liver microsomes was studied in vitro. The inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol on CYP was investigated by coincubating diphenytriazol with the specific CYP1A substrates, ethoxyresorufin and phenacetin, in microsome induced by beta-naphthoflavone, with the specific CYP2B substrates, pentoxyresorufin and aminopyrine, in the microsome induced by phenobarbital, and with the specific CYP3A substrates, diazepam, testosterone, nifedipine and quinine sulfate in microsome induced by dexamethasone. The results showed that diphenytriazol inhibited the metabolism of ethoxyresorufin and phenacetin significantly, and its inhibition potential on CYP1A was higher than the typical inhibitor fluvoxamine. Diphenytriazol also inhibited the metabolism of diazepam, testosterone, nifedipine and quinine sulfate to different degrees, but its inhibition potential was relatively weaker than that of the typical inhibitor, ketoconazole. No inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol was seen on the metabolism of pentoxyresorufin and aminopyrine. The ability of diphenytriazol to inhibit rat liver CYP1A and CYP3A suggests that in human patients complex interactions may result from co-adiministration of diphenytriazol with other agents which are also substrates for CYP1A or CYP3A enzymes.

Correction of Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Rats With the Use of Microencapsulated Young Market Pig Islets.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to investigate the transplantation efficacy of microencapsulated young market pig islets in a diabetic rat model. METHODS: Islets were isolated and purified from young market pigs obtained from a local slaughterhouse. The islets were encapsulated in barium alginate and subjected to a glucose-induced insulin release functional assay in culture. Microencapsulated islets were transplanted into diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats and removed after 30 days for histologic examination. RESULTS: The mean islet equivalent (IEQ) yield per gram of digested tissue was 3,125 ± 617 IEQ/g after isolation and 2,618 ± 917 IEQ/g after purification, respectively. Host rats' blood glucose concentrations normalized (from 22.3 ± 2.7 mmol/L to 5.1 ± 0.67 mmol/L) following encapsulated islet transplantation. After graft removal, hyperglycemia recurred in the rats, indicating that the grafts were responsible for maintaining euglycemia. Histology revealed viable islets in the capsules 30 days after graft removal. Immunolabeling of insulin verified that ß-cells within the capsules remained well granulated. No fibrosis or immune cells were found in histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Barium alginate encapsulation of young market pig islets can normalize glucose regulation in diabetic rats without fibrosis or an immunologic response.

Human plasma transport of vitamin D after its endogenous synthesis.

Transport of vitamin D3 from its sites of cutaneous synthesis into the circulation has been assumed to be via the plasma vitamin D binding protein (DBP). We studied vitamin D transport from the skin in seven healthy volunteers who received whole body irradiation with 27 mJ/cm2 dosage of ultraviolet B light (290-320 nm). Samples of venous blood were collected serially in EDTA and immediately chilled. In KBr, plasma samples were ultracentrifuged to provide a rapid separation of proteins of density < and > 1.3 g/ml. Upper and lower phases and serial fractions were analyzed for vitamin D3 (extraction, HPLC), cholesterol (enzyme assay), and human DBP (hDBP) (radial immunodiffusion). Total plasma vitamin D (basal level < 1 ng/ml) increased by 10 h and peaked at 24 h (9 +/- 1 ng/ml). 98% of the D3 remained at the density > 1.3 layers for up to 7 d, whereas cholesterol (> 85%) was detected at density < 1.3 and all of the hDBP was at density > 1.3. In three volunteers who each ingested 1.25 mg of vitamin D2, the total plasma D2 increased to 90 +/- 32 ng/ml by 4 h, and the D2 was evenly distributed between the upper and lower layers at 4, 8, and 24 h after the dose, indicating a continuing association of the vitamin with chylomicrons and lipoproteins, as well as with hDBP. Actin affinity chromatography removed D3 from plasma of irradiated subjects, indicating the association of the D3 with DBP. These findings indicate that endogenously synthesized vitamin D3 travels in plasma almost exclusively on DBP, providing for a slower hepatic delivery of the vitamin D and the more sustained increase in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol observed after depot, parenteral administration of vitamin D. In contrast, the association of orally administered vitamin D with chylomicrons and lipoproteins allows for receptor-mediated, rapid hepatic delivery of vitamin D, and the reported rapid but less-sustained increases in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol.

Disrupted Brain Connectivity Patterns in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of dementia. This study investigated the global connectivity patterns in the brains of patients with type 2 diabetes by using a functional MR imaging technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients and 43 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional imaging in a 3T MR imaging unit. Degree centrality, a commonly used measurement of global connectivity, was computed for a full-brain exploration of the regions influenced by type 2 diabetes. We then examined the functional connectivity of each region by using the seed-based approach. Finally, voxelwise correlation analyses were performed to explore the relationship among the connectivity changes, cognitive performance, and diabetes-related variables. RESULTS: Patients exhibited decreased degree centrality in the left lingual gyrus and increased centrality in the right insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (corrected P < .05). The occipital network anchored in the lingual gyrus showed extensively reduced connectivity, while the network connectivity of the insula and cingulate cortex (mostly included in the salience network) was significantly elevated (corrected P < .05). Correlational analyses revealed that in the diabetic group, impaired visual memory and executive function performance were correlated with occipital hypoconnectivity, while higher fasting plasma glucose levels and better executive functioning were related to anterior cingulate cortex hyperconnectivity (all corrected P values < .05). Similar effects were not detected in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows that network connectivity is altered in patients with type 2 diabetes, which may provide critical insight into the neural substrate of diabetes-related cognitive decline.

Gender differences in limonin pharmacokinetics in rats.

In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of limonin (LM) were investigated in male and female rats. LM concentrations in the plasma were determined after the oral administration of 36 mg/kg LM or after intravenous (i.v.) injection of LM 3.6 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations in the tissues, urine, feces and bile were also analyzed following the oral administration of 36 mg/kg of the test product. It was found that the plasma concentrations of LM in female rats were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those in male rats. Assessment of the effects of limonin based on the C(max) and AUC in female rats showed that levels were about 50-fold higher than those in male rats after oral administration of 36 mg/kg LM. Furthermore, after i.v. administration of 3.6 mg/kg LM, the C(max) and AUC in female rats was found to be about 3-fold higher than those in male rats. The total excretion of LM in the urine and bile of female rats was also found to be significantly higher than in male rats, which displayed lower concentrations of LM in the tissues, amounting to around one-half to one-tenth of those in female rats, apart from levels in the rectum and duodenum. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate the existence of marked gender difference in LM pharmacokinetics in rats.

Follow-up of men in the recovery period immediately after the cessation of gossypol treatment.

Variables in 46 men who had stopped taking gossypol in two centres in China were investigated for their predictive association with the degree and time of recovery of spermatogenesis. Thirty-nine (87%) were azoospermic at cessation of gossypol treatment. In those with sperm present the geometric mean concentration and total sperm count were 8.3 x 10(6)/ml and 30.7 x 10(6), respectively. Twenty-eight (61%) recovered to a defined threshold spermatogenic function (sperm concentration greater than or equal to 20 x 10(6)/ml), with median recovery time 1.1 years. However, 18 men (39%) had not recovered after a median follow-up of 1.9 years and, of these, 10 (22%) remained azoospermic. The failure of recovery was strongly associated with longer treatment, greater total dose of gossypol, smaller testicular volume, elevated FSH concentrations and, to a lesser extent, with greater body weight.

PIP: Variables in 46 men who had stopped taking gossypol in 2 centers in China were investigated for their predictive association with the degree and time of recovery of spermatogenesis. 39 (87%) were azoospermic at cessation of gossypol treatment. In those with sperm present, the geometric mean concentration and total sperm count were 8.3 million/ml and 30.7 million/ml. respectively. 28 (61%) recovered to a defined threshold spermatogenic function (sperm concentration or= 20 million/ml), with median recovery time 1.1 years. However, 18 men (39%) had not recovered after a median follow-up of 1.9 years and, of these, 10 (22%) remained azoospermic. The failure of recovery was strongly associated with longer treatment, greater total dose of gossypol, smaller testicular volume, elevated FSH concentrations and, to a lesser extent, with greater body weight.

The IVBF dual-blade plate and its applications.

A recently developed simple device, the intervertebral body fixation dual-blade plate, was used in 88 cases of different spinal disorders. This patients in the first series were operated on from 1984 to 1986. The device is biomechanically simple and its application safe and easy. Using a proper bone grafting technique, it is a reliable device to establish spinal stability in spine surgery through an anterior approach. Its application in cases of fractures and fracture-dislocations of the thoracolumbar spine with paraplegia, tuberculous spondylitis, and primary tumors of vertebral bodies is presented. The midterm results, covering a follow-up period of 24-49 months (mean, 32 months) were satisfactory; there were no serious complications directly related to the device. There were four cases of pseudarthrosis due to insufficient bone graft technique. Of these, there were three cases of failure of the dual-blade plate.

Studies on the chelation of hypocrellin A with aluminium ion and the photodynamic action of the resulting complex.

Hypocrellin A (HA), a perylenoquinone derivative, is an efficient phototherapeutic agent. The chelation of HA with aluminium ion (Al3+) results in the formation of a 1:1 complex (Al(3+)-HA). The probable structure for this complex has been proposed. Compared with HA, this complex has a much higher solubility in water. In addition, Al(3+)-HA preserves the 1O2-generating function of HA as demonstrated by diphenylanthracene photo-bleaching experiments. In irradiated oxygen-saturated solutions of Al(3+)-HA superoxide radical anion and hydroxyl radical are formed as verified using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping agent. The production of superoxide radical anion is enhanced significantly in the presence of electron donors such as 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH). These results suggest that the photodynamic action of Al(3+)-HA proceeds via both type 1 and type 2 reactions.

[Combination therapy of 91 cases of spinal metastases].

The majority of spinal neoplasms are metastatic lesions. This paper reports results of combination therapy of ninety-one cases of spinal metastasis verified by pathology. Most of them were metastases from breast, lung, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancers. Multiple metastatic lesions were mainly treated by chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was for radio-sensitive solitary lesions. Indication for operation included: (1) isolated spinal focus with unknown site of primary tumor; (2) recurrence or aggravation of tumor after chemotherapy or radiotherapy; (3) isolated radioresistant focus; and (4) the patients having paraplegia or an instable spine. Thirty cases were mainly treated by chemotherapy, 10 by radiotherapy, and 51 by operation. After the combination therapy, 13 cases were completely free of symptoms, 44 alleviated and 11 invalid. Of the 39 cases having paraplegia, 3 had complete recovery, 15 partial recovery and 21 no improvement. Of 85 cases having been followed up for 1-4 years, 51 cases (59.3%) survived for 3-11 months, 25 (29.1%) for 1-2 years and 10 (11.6%) for 2-3 years. The average survival time was 10.5 months. Analyzing the clinical and radiographic manifestations of the tumors and their treatment and prognosis, we consider that early diagnosis and combination therapy are the major factors influencing the therapeutic effect of spinal metastatic tumors.

[Inhibitory effect of genistein on the proliferation of the anterior pituitary cells of rats].

The effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein on the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells and mouse AtT-20 cells were studied using techniques of cell culture, 3H-TdR incorporation, flow cytometric analysis and electron microscope. Genistein significantly inhibited the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells and mouse AtT-20 cells. Genistein (50 and 100 mumol/L) blocked the proliferation of AtT-20 cells at G0/G1 and G2/M phases and evoked an apoptotic peak of these cells with an apoptotic ratio of 19.9% and 36.4%. The apoptotic cells were also observed under the electron microscope. In consequence, genistein, as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can significantly inhibit the proliferation of pituitary cells possibly by inducing apoptosis, and the tyrosine kinase activity may play a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of pituitary cells.

[Effect of interleukin-2 on the proliferation of cultured rat anterior pituitary cells].

The present study was to investigate whether IL-2 is involved in the proliferation control of anterior pituitary (AP) cells. Primary culture of AP cells was obtained from either male or female Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of IL-2 were assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation rate. It was found that: (1) IL-2 (10-500 U/ml) significantly stimulated 3H-TdR incorporation into AP cells of female pregnant as well as none-pregnant rats, but inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation in the male rats. (2) The stimulatory effect of IL-2 was reversed in overiectomized rats, but could be restored when the overiectomized rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (5 micrograms/d per rat). (3) When the male rats were orchiectomized for 2 weeks, the inhibitory effects of IL-2 did not occur. The above data indicated that the proliferative effect of IL-2 on AP is a joint action of sex steroids hormones.

[Interleukin-2 stimulates the proliferation of cultured RC-4B/C pituitary adenoma cell line].

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) is involved in the proliferation control of the cultured RC-4B/C cell, which is a derived pituitary adenoma cell line of the rat. The level of cell proliferation was estimated by assessing (3)H-thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation rate. IL-2 (10 1000 U/ml) significantly stimulated (3)H-TdR incorporation into the cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Specific PTK inhibitor tyrphostin (1 micromol/L) suppressed RC-4B/C cell proliferation and blocked the effect of IL-2 on RC-4B/C cells. After the PKA signaling pathway was inhibited by specific PKA inhibitor H-9 (1 micromol/L), the proliferation rate of RC-4B/C cells increased significantly. H-9 also enhanced the stimulation of IL-2 on RC-4B/C cell growth. Anti-estrogen tamoxifen (1 micromol/L) had no significant effect on the action of IL-2 on the proliferation of RC-4B/C cells. In conclusion, it is suggested that IL-2 modulates the proliferation of the cultured RC-4B/C pituitary adenoma cell line, and the action is closely related with the PTK and PKA signaling pathway.

[Effect of interleukin 2 on the expression of estrogen receptors in the anterior pituitary of rats].

Using primary serum-free cell culture combined with immunocytochemistry and semi-quantified RT-PCR methods, we observe the modulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) by interleukin-2 (IL-2) in rat anterior pituitary. The results show that IL-2 up-regulates the level of ERalpha protein and the expression of ERalpha mRNA, but down-regulates those of ERbeta. The density per cell of ERalpha-immunoreactive (ir) cells increases from 48.740 4.567 to 81.188+/-6.619, whereas that of ERbeta -ir cells decreases from 102.560+/-6.250 to 72.718+/-7.623 after rhIL-2 (10 microgram/L) incubation for 48 h. In parallel with these changes, the ratio of ERalpha/ beta -actin mRNA increases from 0.1511 to 0.4334, and ERbeta /beta -actin mRNA declines from 0.3822 to 0.1528. It is likely that IL-2 has direct regulatory effect on ER in anterior pituitary.

[New method for selectivity optimization in thin layer chromatography and its application in pharmaceutical analysis].

A new experimental design method named the step climbing method (SCM), as well as a new global criterion (NRC), are proposed for the selectivity optimization of thin layer chromatography. The method offers chromatographers a convenient means to decide the optimum developer composition for thin layer chromatography. The principle of the method is described, and examples of applications in pharmaceutical analysis are given to certify the feasibility of the method. Clearly, it may also be used for the selectivity optimization in high performance liquid chromatography.