IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells increase in immune clearance stage of chronic HBV infection and correlate with the response of Peg-interferon treatment.

Interleukin (IL)-22 regulates host defense. This study investigated the predominant IL-22-producing cell subsets under HBV associated immune stages. We found circulating IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells were significantly increased in immune active (IA) stage than those in immunotolerant stage, inactive carrier and healthy controls (HCs). The plasma IL-22 level was higher in IA and HBeAg-negative CHB compared to HCs. Importantly, CD3 + CD8- T cells were identified as the predominant source of plasma IL-22 production. Up-regulated IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells obviously correlated with the grade of intrahepatic inflammation. The proportions of IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells were significantly down-regulated after 48 weeks of Peg-interferon treatment, and the differences were of great significance in patients with normalize ALT levels at 48 weeks, rather than those with elevated ALT levels. In conclusion, IL-22 might play a proinflammatory function in. chronic HBV infected patients with active inflammation and Peg-interferon treatment could attenuate the degree of liver inflammation through down-regulating IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells.

Application of machine-learning-based global optimization: potential-dependent co-electrosorbed structure and activity on the Pd(110) surface.

Electrodes can adsorb different reaction intermediates under electrochemical conditions, which in turn significantly affect their electrochemical performance. This complex phenomenon attracts continuous interest in both science and industry for understanding the co-electrosorbed structure and activity under electrochemical conditions. Here, we report the first theoretical attempt by combining the machine-learning-based global optimization (SSW-NN method) and modified Poisson-Boltzmann continuum solvation (CM-MPB) based on first-principles calculations to elucidate the potential-dependent co-electrosorbed species on the Pd(110) surface. We reveal the potential-dependence adsorption/absorption hydrogen phases, the phase transition of α-Hri/Pd to ß-Hri/Pd, and the co-electrosorbed Hri-NHy surface structures. In particular, we found that Hri-NH2 and Hri-NH3 are favorable intermediates for the N2 reduction reaction, and the subsurface H is the key species responsible for NH2 hydrogenation on the Pd(110) electrode.

Phenylketonuria and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic metabolic disorder in which patients have no ability to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine. Several autoimmune diseases have been reported to combine with PKU, co-existent of PKU and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) has not been presented. CASE PRESENTATION: The girl was diagnosed with PKU at the age of 1 month confirmed by molecular data. At the age of 3.5 years, she presented with pain and swelling of her right ankle, right knee, and right hip joint. After a serial of examinations, she was diagnosed with JIA and treated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of a 4-year-old girl with PKU and JIA, which supports a possible interaction between PKU and JIA. Long-term metabolic disturbance may increase the susceptibility to JIA. Further chronic inflammation could alter the metabolism of tryptophan and tyrosine to increase blood Phe concentration. In addition, corticosteroid and methotrexate therapy for JIA may increase blood Phe concentration.

Medium- and long-chain triglyceride propofol reduces the activity of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in hepatic lipid metabolism in HepG2 and Huh7 cells.

Medium- and long-chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) propofol is widely used as an intravenous anesthetic, especially in the intensive care unit. The present study aimed to assess whether MCT/LCT propofol is safe in the hyperlipidemic population for long-term use. Free fatty acids (FFAs) were used to establish high-fat stimulation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Subsequently, these cells were treated with propofol at the concentration of 0, 4, or 8 µg/ml for 24 and 48 h. The results indicated that the cell viability was notably decreased when the cells were stimulated with 2 mmol/L FFAs and treated with 12 µg/ml MCT/LCT propofol. Accordingly, we chose 2 mmol/L FFAs along with 4 and 8 µg/ml MCT/LCT propofol for the subsequent experiments. Four and 8 µg/ml MCT/LCT propofol inhibited FFA-induced lipid accumulation in the cells and significantly reversed acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) activity. In addition, MCT/LCT propofol not only significantly promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, but also reversed the FFA-induced decreased phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. In conclusion, MCT/LCT propofol reverses the negative effects caused by FFAs in HepG2 and Huh7 cells, indicating that MCT/LCT propofol might positively regulate lipid metabolism.

Bio-based thermoplastic poly(butylene succinate-co-propylene succinate) copolyesters: effect of glycerol on thermal and mechanical properties.

Poly(butylene succinate-co-propylene succinate) (PBSPS) was polymerized using succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and glycerol (GC). The PBSPS copolyester with a BS/PS ratio of 7/3 has a low melting point (Tm, 80 °C) and crystallization temperature (Tc, 20 °C) in addition to excellent thermal stability with a thermal degradation temperature (Td) above 300 °C. Isodimorphism was observed for 30-50 mol% PS, lowering Tm and Tc. The featured crystalline lattices (021) and (110) of PBS at 2θ = 21.5° and 22.5° gradually disappeared with PS content greater than 50 mol% and transformed into a PPS crystalline lattice at 2θ = 22.3°. Young's modulus decreased with increasing PS content due to crystallinity loss. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the chain movement regularity was affected by the GC content, reducing the crystallinity. The PBSPS copolyesters were elastic with 0.001 mol% GC but became rigid with GC content greater than 0.01 mol%. The chain conformation was flexible for 0.001-0.01 mol% GC and exhibited an irregular steric architecture for 0.02-0.03 mol% GC due to more GC acting as nodes. Thus, the thermal and mechanical properties of the synthesized bio-based PBSPS copolyesters can be controlled by adjusting the GC content; therefore, such copolyesters are suitable for medical support, coating, and phase-change material applications.

[Screening and identification of GABA-producing microbes in fermentation process of Sojae Semen Praeparatum].

A high-content GABA was found in Sojae Semen Praeparatum(SSP), which is a famous traditional Chinese medicine and officially listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. To screen out and identify GABA-producing microbes from samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP, traditional microbiological methods combined with molecular biological methods were used to study the predominant GABA-producing microorganisms existing in the fermenting process of SSP. This study would lay a foundation for further studying the processing mechanism of SSP. The fermenting process of SSP was based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2010 edition), and samples were taken at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP. The bacteria and fungi from samples at different time points in the fermenting process of SSP were cultured, isolated and purified by selective medium, and dominant strains were selected. The dominant bacteria were cultured in the designated liquid medium to prepare the fermentation broths, and GABA in the fermentation broth was qualitatively screened out by thin-layer chromatography. The microbial fermentation broth with GABA spots in the primary screening was quantitatively detected by online pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography established in our laboratory. GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out from predominant strains, and their GABA contents in fermentation broth were determined. The DNA sequences of GABA-producing bacteria and fungi were amplified using 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA sequences by PCR respectively. The amplified products were sequenced, and the sequencing results were identified through NCBI homology comparison. Molecular biological identification was made by phylogenetic tree constructed by MEGA 7.0 software. Through the homology comparison of NCBI and the construction of phylogenetic tree by MEGA 7.0 software, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in this study. They were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, E. avium, Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. niger, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Penicillium citrinum and Phanerochaete sordida respectively. For the first time, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in the samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP in this study. The results indicated that multiple predominant GABA-producing microorganisms exist in the fermenting process of SSP and may play an important role in the formation of GABA.

High-density SNP linkage map construction and QTL mapping for flavonoid-related traits in a tea plant (Camellia sinensis) using 2b-RAD sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids are important components that confer upon tea plants a unique flavour and health functions. However, the traditional breeding method for selecting a cultivar with a high or unique flavonoid content is time consuming and labour intensive. High-density genetic map construction associated with quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping provides an effective way to facilitate trait improvement in plant breeding. In this study, an F1 population (LJ43×BHZ) was genotyped using 2b-restriction site-associated DNA (2b-RAD) sequencing to obtain massive single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to construct a high-density genetic map for a tea plant. Furthermore, QTLs related to flavonoids were identified using our new genetic map. RESULTS: A total of 13,446 polymorphic SNP markers were developed using 2b-RAD sequencing, and 4,463 of these markers were available for constructing the genetic linkage map. A 1,678.52-cM high-density map at an average interval of 0.40 cM with 4,217 markers, including 427 frameset simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 3,800 novel SNPs, mapped into 15 linkage groups was successfully constructed. After QTL analysis, a total of 27 QTLs related to flavonoids or caffeine content (CAF) were mapped to 8 different linkage groups, LG01, LG03, LG06, LG08, LG10, LG11, LG12, and LG13, with an LOD from 3.14 to 39.54, constituting 7.5% to 42.8% of the phenotypic variation. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the highest density genetic map ever reported was constructed since the largest mapping population of tea plants was adopted in present study. Moreover, novel QTLs related to flavonoids and CAF were identified based on the new high-density genetic map. In addition, two markers were located in candidate genes that may be involved in flavonoid metabolism. The present study provides valuable information for gene discovery, marker-assisted selection breeding and map-based cloning for functional genes that are related to flavonoid content in tea plants.

Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus by Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks, China.

We demonstrate maintenance and transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the larva, nymph, and adult stages with dissemination in salivary gland, midgut, and ovarian tissues. The H. longicornis tick is a competent vector to transmit this virus in both transovarial and transstadial modes.

[Clinical features of Enterococcus faecium meningitis in children].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical features of Enterococcus faecium meningitis in children. METHODS: The clinical data of nine children with Enterococcus faecium meningitis were analyzed. RESULTS: In all the nine children, Enterococcus faecium was isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or peripherally inserted central catheters; 6 (67%) patients were neonates, 2 (22%) patients were younger than 6 months, and 1 (11%) patient was three years and four months of age. In those patients, 56% had high-risk factors before onset, which included intestinal infection, resettlement of drainage tube after surgery for hydrocephalus, skull fracture, perinatal maternal infection history, and catheter-related infection. The main symptoms were fever and poor response. In those patients, 22% had seizures; no child had meningeal irritation sign or disturbance of consciousness. The white blood cell count and level of C-reactive protein were normal or increased; the nucleated cell count in cerebrospinal fluid was normal or mildly elevated; the protein level was substantially elevated; the glucose level was decreased. The drug sensitivity test showed that bacteria were all sensitive to vancomycin and the vancomycin treatment was effective. Only one child had the complication of hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcus faecium meningitis occurs mainly in neonates and infants. The patients have atypical clinical features. A high proportion of patients with Enterococcus faecium meningitis have high-risk factors. Enterococcus faecium is sensitive to vancomycin.

High promoter methylation levels of glutathione-S-transferase M3 predict poor prognosis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of glutathione-S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) gene promoter methylation in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). METHODS: A total of 119 patients with ACHBLF, 60 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. We used a quantitative methylation detection technique, MethyLight, to examine the methylation levels of GSTM3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: The GSTM3 methylation level was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than those in patients with chronic hepatitis B and healthy controls (both P < 0.05). In patients with ACHBLF, GSTM3 methylation level percentage of methylated reference (PMR) positively correlated with total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and negatively correlated with prothrombin activity and albumin (all P < 0.05). The PMR for GSTM3 of non-survivors was significantly increased compared to that of survivors (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that GSTM3 methylation level was one of the independent prognostic factors for 3-month mortality of ACHBLF (P = 0.000). The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve of PMR for GSTM3 in predicting 3-month mortality of ACHBLF was not statistically different from that of MELD score (0.798 vs. 0.716, P = 0.152). However, the area under the curve of PMR for GSTM3 was significantly higher than that of MELD score in predicting 1-month mortality (0.887 vs. 0.737, P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Promoter methylation levels of GSTM3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells closely correlated with disease severity and could be used to predict prognosis of patients with ACHBLF.

[Intervention of Qingshen Granule on NF-KB Signal Pathway of Chronic Renal Failure Patients with Damp-heat Syndrome].

Objective To observe the effect of Qingshen Granule (QG) on expressions of nucle- ar factors-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and phosphonated inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (p-lκBα) in peripheral blood NF-κB signal transduction pathway of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients with damp-heat syn- drome (DHS) , and to study possible mechanism. Methods Totally 68 CRF patients with DHS were as- signed to the control group and the treatment group by random digit table, 34 in each group. Actually 63 patients completed, 32 in the treatment group and 31 in the control group. A normal group (20 cases) was set up. All patients received basic treatment of Western medicine (WM) and retention enema of Chi- nese medicine (CM). Patients in the treatment group additionally took QG, 1 package each time, 3 times per day. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. The clinical efficacy, level of serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα in peripheral blood were observed and measured before and after treatment. They were also compared with those of the normal group. Results The clinical efficacy and the total effective rate of CM syndrome were 84. 38% (27/32)and 81. 25% (26/32), superior to those of the control group [54. 84%(17/31), 51. 61% (1631) ; P <0. 01 ]. Compared with before treatment, the level of SCr was obviously lower, and eGFR was obviously higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 01). They were better than those of the control group after treatment (P <0. 05). Compared with the normal group, the levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα were significantly higher in the treatment group and the control group before treatment (P < 0. 01). Compared with before treatment, the levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα were obviously lowered in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 01). They were also better than those of the control group after treatment (P <0. 05). Conclusions QG could improve clinical symptoms of CRF patients with DHS, de- crease SCr level, and increase eGFR level. It could protect renal function. Its mechanism might possibly be related with reducing peripheral blood levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα.

[Impacts of different procedures of testicular sperm retrieval on testicular function and antisperm antibodies in azoospermia patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of different procedures of testicular sperm retrieval on the levels of serum inhibin B (INHB), antisperm antibodies (AsAb), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) in patients with azoospermia. METHODS: We randomly assigned 210 azoospermia patients to receive testicular sperm extraction (TESE, n = 50), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA, n = 56), testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA, n = 64), or microscopic TESE (micro-TESE, n = 40). We measured the levels of serum INHB, FSH, and T and the positive rate of AsAb before and at 1 and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the levels of serum FSH at 1 and 3 months after surgery showed no statistically significant differences in the TESE (ï¼»8.51 ± 4.34ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.76 ± 3.07ï¼½ and ï¼»7.24 ± 3.32ï¼½ IU/L, P >0.05), TESA (ï¼»7.70 ± 2.72ï¼½ vs ï¼»7.90 ± 4.57ï¼½ and ï¼»8.04 ± 3.65ï¼½ IU/L, P >0.05), TEFNA (ï¼»6.04 ± 3.17ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.08 ± 2.70ï¼½ and ï¼»6.10 ± 3.32ï¼½ IU/L, P >0.05), or micro-TESE group (ï¼»6.59 ± 2.74ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.89 ± 1.78ï¼½ and ï¼»6.75 ± 2.57ï¼½ IU/L, P >0.05); the positive rate of AsAb (IgM) was significantly increased at 1 month in the TESE (0.00 vs 14.00%, P <0.05) and micro-TESE groups (2.50% vs 15.00%, P <0.05), while the serum T level markedly decreased in the two groups (ï¼»16.52 ± 6.25ï¼½ vs ï¼»9.25 ± 5.76ï¼½ nmol/L and ï¼»14.16 ± 5.45ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.23 ± 4.12ï¼½ nmol/L, P <0.05); the levels of serum INHB were remarkably reduced at 1 and 3 months in the TESE (ï¼»70.56 ± 23.17ï¼½ vs ï¼»42.63 ± 15.34ï¼½ and ï¼»44.05 ± 18.47ï¼½ pg/ml, P <0.05), TESA (ï¼»68.71 ± 14.74ï¼½ vs ï¼»40.55 ± 20.51ï¼½ and ï¼»42.11 ± 19.34ï¼½ pg/ml, P <0.05), TEFNA (ï¼»76.81 ± 27.04ï¼½ vs ï¼»46.31 ± 19.28ï¼½ and ï¼»48.32 ± 20.54ï¼½ pg/ml, P <0.05), and micro-TESE groups (ï¼»74.74 ± 28.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»45.27 ± 18.83ï¼½ and ï¼»47.64 ± 28.34ï¼½ pg/ml, P <0.05), but with no statistically significant differences among the four groups (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different procedures of testicular sperm retrieval have different impacts on the testicular function and AsAb in patients with azoospermia.

[Clinical Feature in Infants of Breast Feeding Allergy and Its Possible Relation with Gastrointestinal Peptide Change in Breast Milk].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical features in infants of breast milk allergy(BMA), and the possible relationship with the changes of somatostatin (SST) and motilin (MTL) in breast milk. METHODS: Twenty three cases of pure breast feeding infants with allergic gastroenteritis were collected, while another 23 normal infants with pure breast feeding were enrolled as normal controls. Samples of infant stools and breast milk were collected for the measurement of SST and MTL levels detected by by radioimmunity. RESULTS: The levels of SST and MTL in stool samples (pg/mg) were 32.6±8.9, 2.3±3.7 in BMA group and 56.2±12.7, 21.6±4.7 in normal control group, respectively. Those in breast milk (pg/mg) were 236.7±28.9, 159.4±36.7 in BMA group and 412.6±36.7, 216.8±59.7 in normal control group, respectively. All the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In BMA infants, the clinical features were 91.3% (20/23) of diarrhea, 86.9% (21/23) of vomiting, 69.6% (16/23) of hematochezia, 95.7% (22/23) of C-reactive protein (CRP) increasing, 87.0% (20/23) of occult blood in stools, 73.9% (17/23) of neutrophil increasing, 39.1% (9/23) of WBC in stools. CONCLUSIONS: For those infants of breast feeding with persisting and repeated gastrointestinal symptoms, allergy for breast milk should be considered. Deficiency of SST and MTL in breast milk may be a possible cause for food allergy.

Transcriptome analysis reveals self-incompatibility in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) might be under gametophytic control.

BACKGROUND: Self-incompatibility (SI) is under genetic control and prevents inbreeding depression in angiosperms. SI mechanisms are quite complicated and still poorly understood in many plants. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) belonging to the family of Theaceae, exhibits high levels of SI and high heterozygosity. Uncovering the molecular basis of SI of the tea plant may enhance breeding and simplify genomics research for the whole family. RESULTS: The growth of pollen tubes following selfing and crossing was observed using fluorescence microscopy. Self-pollen tubes grew slower than cross treatments from 24 h to 72 h after pollination. RNA-seq was employed to explore the molecular mechanisms of SI and to identify SI-related genes in C. sinensis. Self and cross-pollinated styles were collected at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after pollination. Six RNA-seq libraries (SP24, SP48, SP72, CP24 CP48 and CP72; SP = self-pollinated, CP = cross-pollinated) were constructed and separately sequenced. In total, 299.327 million raw reads were generated. Following assembly, 63,762 unigenes were identified, and 27,264 (42.76 %) unigenes were annotated in five public databases: NR, KOG, KEGG, Swiss-Port and GO. To identify SI-related genes, the fragments per kb per million mapped reads (FPKM) values of each unigene were evaluated. Comparisons of CP24 vs. SP24, CP48 vs. SP48 and CP72 vs. SP72 revealed differential expression of 3,182, 3,575 and 3,709 genes, respectively. Consequently, several ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, Ca(2+) signaling, apoptosis and defense-associated genes were obtained. The temporal expression pattern of genes following CP and SP was analyzed; 6 peroxidase, 1 polyphenol oxidase and 7 salicylic acid biosynthetic process-related genes were identified. The RNA-seq data were validated by qRT-PCR of 15 unigenes. Finally, a unigene (CL25983Contig1) with strong homology to the S-RNase was analyzed. It was mainly expressed in styles, with dramatically higher expression in self-pollinated versus cross-pollinated tissues at 24 h post-pollination. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reports the transcriptome of styles after cross- and self-pollination in tea and offers novel insights into the molecular mechanism behind SI in C. sinensis. We believe that this RNA-seq dataset will be useful for improvement in C. sinensis as well as other plants in the Theaceae family.

Methylation of tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 as a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Methylation of tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) gene has been detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinicopathologcial significance and prognostic value of TFPI2 methylation in HCC remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of TFPI2 methylation in HCC after hepatectomy. METHODS: Methylation status of TFPI2 gene was examined in 178 surgical specimens of HCC and 20 normal liver samples using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Methylation of TFPI2 gene was detected in 44.9% (80 of 178) of primary HCC samples, 10.7% (19 of 178) of the corresponding non-tumorous liver samples, and 5.0% (1/20) of the normal liver samples. The mRNA concentrations of TFPI2 in primary HCC tissues were significantly lower than those in corresponding non-tumorous liver tissues and those in normal liver tissues. TFPI2 methylation was significantly associated with higher TNM stage. Patients with TFPI2 methylation demonstrated a significantly poorer prognosis than those without TFPI2 methylation for both overall survival and disease-free survival (P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses confirmed that TFPI2 methylation was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (P = 0.002) and disease-free survival (P = 0.000) in HCC after hepatectomy. Moreover, TFPI2 methylation was found to be the only independent predictor for early tumor recurrence of HCC after resection based on multivariate analysis (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Methylation of TFPI2 predicts high risk of advanced tumor stage, early tumor recurrence, and poor prognosis, and it could be a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

[Olaparib potentiates the antitumor effect of Taxol on 4T1 breast cancer].

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1/2 (PARP1/2) can catalyze the poly (ADP ribose) (PAR) substrate protein modification and play an important role in the regulation of DNA damage repair, cell death and transcriptional activity. The PARP inhibitor olaparib (AZD2281) can be used as a sensitizer of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the cancer treatment. Through establishment of biological fluorescent labeled 4T1 ectopic breast tumor model, we found that olaparib exhibited a poor effect on 4T1 breast cancer alone. However, in the combination with Taxol, olaparib significantly increased the anti-tumor effect of Taxol, and reduced the PAR levels of the tumor tissues. Importantly, olaparib did not amplify the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. This study suggests that olaparib is a representative of the PARP inhibitor that can enhance Taxol's antitumor effect in the 4T1 ectopic breast tumor model, which sets the foundation for future study of the mechanism of olaparib action.

[Establishment of a glioma orthotopic xenograft model based on imaging technology].

Orthotopic xenograft model of human brain cancer cells is a good preclinical model for evaluation of antitumor compounds. In the present study, an orthotopic xenograft model of U87MG-m Cherry-luc was established in Balb/c nude mice and the tumor growth was monitored via imaging technology including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in vivo imaging (IVI) and micro-CT. Furthermore, the model was evaluated with a positive drug temozolomide. Our data suggest that integrated imaging technology including MRI, IVI and micro-CT in orthotopic xenograft model can be used to facilitate monitoring of cancer progression and evaluate antitumor activity of drugs against glioma.

[Intervention of Qingshen Granule for Immune Inflammation of Chronic Renal Failure Patients with Damp-heat Syndrome].

Objective To observe the effect of Qingshen Granule (QG) on the immune function of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients with damp-heat syndrome (DHS). Methods A total of 162 CRF patients were assigned to the treated group and the control group by random digit table, 81 in each group. All patients were treated with conventional Western medical therapy. Those in the treated group addition- ally took QG, one package each time (10 g) , thrice per day. The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups. The contents of peripheral blood CD4 ⁺ T cells, CD8 ⁺ T cells, Thl7 cells, and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κBp65) activity were detected using flow cy- tometry. Expressions of serum IL-17, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), ma- trix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) , matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-I (TIMP-1 ) , collagen N (Col-V) were detected using ELISA. Results Finally 156 patients completed the trial (77 cases in the treated group and 79 cases in the control group). The total clinical curative effective rate was significantly higher in the treated group (80. 52%, 62/77) than in the control group (68. 35%, 54/79) with statistical differ- ences between the two groups (x² = 54. 849, P <0. 05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the levels of peripheral blood CD4 ⁺ /CD8 ⁺ , Thl7 cell content, NF-κB p65 activity, serum levels of IL-17, TRAF6, and TIMP-1 , TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, Col-IV level all decreased in the treated group after treat- ment (P <0. 05) ; serum MMP-9 level decreased .(P <0. 05) and TIMP-1 /MMP-9 ratio increased (P <0. 05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, CD4⁺/CD8 ⁺ T cell ratio, Th17 cell content, NF-κB p65 activity decreased more obviously in the treated group after treatment (P <0. 05). Serum levels of IL- 17, TRAF6, TIMP-1, TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, and Col-IV all decreased (P <0.05) and MMP-9 level increased (P <0. 05) in the treated group (P <0. 05). Conclusion QG could adjust immune dysfunction and disar- ranged immunity mediated inflammatory response, and attenuate renal fibrosis in CKD patients with DHS.

[Identification of dominant microbes from traditional Chinese medicine Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata].

To investigate the microbial species, amount changes as well as the isolation and identification of domain strains at different fermentation time points of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata, and provide basis for exploring the mechanism of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata processing. Five samples were chosen at the time points (0, 18, 36, 54, 72 h) of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata processing. Bacteria, mold and yeast from the samples were cultured; their colonies were counted, and the dominant strains were isolated and purified. The dominant bacteria and dominant fungi were identified by 16S rDNA and 26S rDNA sequencing respectively. The results showed that the bacteria count was low with slow and smooth changes in the fermentation process;while mold and yeast grew dramatically after 54 h culturing and reached 1×107 CFU•mL⁻¹ at the end of fermentation. Through the NCBI homology alignment and phylogenetic tree construction, the dominant bacteria were identified as Streptomyces sp., Bacillus pumilus, B. subtilis, B. aryabhattai and other Bacillus sp.; the dominant yeast was identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii; the dominant mold were identified as Paecilomyces variotii, Byssochlamys spectabilis, and Aspergillus niger in the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata. The results indicated that multiple microbe species, especially yeast and mold, played a role in the fermentation processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata. M. guilliermondii, P. variotii, P. variotii and A. niger and Bacillus sp. can be the crucial factors in the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata.

[Effect of ingested immunoglobulin on sIgA expression in pediatric rotavirus enteritis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of ingested anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin on enteric expressions of SIgA in pediatric rotavirus enteritis. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo controlled clinic trial, 100 patients of pediatric rotavirus enteritis who simultaneously received fluid replacement as basic therapy, were randomly divided into control and immunoglobulin treated groups. The patients in experimental group were given "ingested antirotavirus IgY". Stool sample was collected at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, the level of fecal SIgA was quantifies by radioimmunoassay kit, and fecal rotavirus shedding was detected by double-sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: The frequency of diarrhea in immunoglobulin group was obviously less than that in control group (P<0.05). The mean course of diarrhea was (4.5 +/- 0.92) d in immunoglobulin group, and (5.8 +/- 1.68) d in control group (P=0.015). The fecal SIgA level in immunoglobulin group was higher than that in control group(P<0.05). The doubling time of SIgA level was the 3rd d in immunoglobulin group, and the 5th d in control group. The fecal rotavirus shedding in immunoglobulin group was obviously lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ingested anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin could promote the expression of enteric SIgA to remove rotavirus, achieving the benefit to release diarrhea in pediatric rotavirus enteritis.