[Analysis of the serum bile acid profile to facilitate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NA(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide deficiency].

Objective: This study focuses on Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency to analyze and investigate the value of the serum bile acid profile for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: Clinical data of 66 patients with cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from early April 2015 to the end of December 2021 were collected, including 32 cases of NTCP deficiency (16 adults and 16 children), 16 cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), 8 cases of Alagille syndrome, and 10 cases of biliary atresia. At the same time, adult and pediatric healthy control groups (15 cases each) were established. The serum bile acid components of the study subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data were plotted and compared using statistical SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. The clinical and bile acid profiles of children with NTCP deficiency and corresponding healthy controls, as well as differences between NTCP deficiency and other CLDs, were compared using statistical methods such as t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: Compared with the healthy control, the levels of total conjugated bile acids, total primary bile acids, total secondary bile acids, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholic acid were increased in NTCP deficiency patients (P < 0.05). Compared with adults with NTCP deficiency, the levels of total conjugated bile acids and total primary bile acids were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency (P < 0.05). The serum levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, taurohyocholate, and tauro-α-muricholic acid were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency, but the bile acid levels such as glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, and lithocholic acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The serum levels of secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher in children with NTCP deficiency than those in other CLD groups such as NICCD, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia (P < 0.05). Total primary bile acids/total secondary bile acids, total conjugated bile acids/total unconjugated bile acids, taurocholic acid, serum taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid effectively distinguished children with NTCP deficiency from other non-NTCP deficiency CLDs. Conclusion: This study confirms that serum bile acid profile analysis has an important reference value for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NTCP deficiency. Furthermore, it deepens the scientific understanding of the changing characteristics of serum bile acid profiles in patients with CLDs such as NTCP deficiency, provides a metabolomic basis for in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis, and provides clues and ideas for subsequent in-depth research.

[Determination of six benzene homologues in human blood by purge and trap-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

Objective: To establish a purge and trap-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method based on soil analysis model for the determination of six benzene homologues (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene and o-xylene) in human blood. Methods: From September 2020 to May 2021, diatomite was used as a dispersant to add 2.0 ml blood sample and fully mixed. The sample was directly injected into the purging and collecting bottle after purging. The gas chromatography column was used for separation. The retention time locking was used for qualitative analysis and the selected ion scanning mode (SIM) was used for detection. The detection limit and recovery rate of the method were analyzed. Results: The linear range of the method for the determination of six benzene homologues in human blood was 0.02-10.00 ng/ml, the correlation coefficient was 0.9927-0.9968, the detection limit was 0.006-0.016 ng/ml, the recovery rate of sample spiking was 84.39%-102.41%, and the precision of the method was 3.06%-6.90%. Conclusion: Purge and trap-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry can simultaneously determine the contents of six benzene homologues in human blood. The pretreatment method is simple, time-saving, and the method has low detection limit, which provides a scientific basis for the detection of benzene homologues in human body.

[Experts consensus on the management of delirium in critically ill patients].

To establish the experts consensus on the management of delirium in critically ill patients. A special committee was set up by 15 experts from the Chinese Critical Hypothermia-Sedation Therapy Study Group. Each statement was assessed based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) principle. Then the Delphi method was adopted by 36 experts to reassess all the statements. (1) Delirium is not only a mental change, but also a clinical syndrome with multiple pathophysiological changes. (2) Delirium is a form of disturbance of consciousness and a manifestation of abnormal brain function. (3) Pain is a common cause of delirium in critically ill patients. Analgesia can reduce the occurrence and development of delirium. (4) Anxiety or depression are important factors for delirium in critically ill patients. (5) The correlation between sedative and analgesic drugs and delirium is uncertain. (6) Pay attention to the relationship between delirium and withdrawal reactions. (7) Pay attention to the relationship between delirium and drug dependence/withdrawal reactions. (8) Sleep disruption can induce delirium. (9) We should be vigilant against potential risk factors for persistent or recurrent delirium. (10) Critically illness related delirium can affect the diagnosis and treatment of primary diseases, and can also be alleviated with the improvement of primary diseases. (11) Acute change of consciousness and attention deficit are necessary for delirium diagnosis. (12) The combined assessment of confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit and intensive care delirium screening checklist can improve the sensitivity of delirium, especially subclinical delirium. (13) Early identification and intervention of subclinical delirium can reduce its risk of clinical delirium. (14) Daily assessment is helpful for early detection of delirium. (15) Hopoactive delirium and mixed delirium are common and should be emphasized. (16) Delirium may be accompanied by changes in electroencephalogram. Bedside electroencephalogram monitoring should be used in the ICU if conditions warrant. (17) Pay attention to differential diagnosis of delirium and dementia/depression. (18) Pay attention to the role of rapid delirium screening method in delirium management. (19) Assessment of the severity of delirium is an essential part of the diagnosis of delirium. (20) The key to the management of delirium is etiological treatment. (21) Improving environmental factors and making patient comfort can help reduce delirium. (22) Early exercise can reduce the incidence of delirium and shorten the duration of delirium. (23) Communication with patients should be emphasized and strengthened. Family members participation can help reduce the incidence of delirium and promote the recovery of delirium. (24) Pay attention to the role of sleep management in the prevention and treatment of delirium. (25) Dexmedetomidine can shorten the duration of hyperactive delirium or prevent delirium. (26) When using antipsychotics to treat delirium, we should be alert to its effect on the heart rhythm. (27) Delirium management should pay attention to brain functional exercise. (28) Compared with non-critically illness related delirium, the relief of critically illness related delirium will not accomplished at one stroke. (29) Multiple management strategies such as ABCDEF, eCASH and ESCAPE are helpful to prevent and treat delirium and improve the prognosis of critically ill patients. (30) Shortening the duration of delirium can reduce the occurrence of long-term cognitive impairment. (31) Multidisciplinary cooperation and continuous quality improvement can improve delirium management. Consensus can promote delirium management in critically ill patients, optimize analgesia and sedation therapy, and even affect prognosis.

A MoS2-based coplanar neuron transistor for logic applications.

The human brain is an extremely complex system of 1010-1011 neurons. To construct brain-like neuromorphic hardware, the neuron unit should be implemented effectively. Here, we report a neuron transistor based on a MoS2 flake, which has summation and threshold functions similar to biological neurons and may act as a basic neuron unit in neuromorphic hardware. The neuron transistor is composed of a floating gate and two control gates. A heavily doped silicon substrate serves as the floating gate, while the two control gates are capacitively coupled with the floating gate. The neuron transistor can be well controlled by the two control gates individually or simultaneously. The drain current can be modulated by the input voltages at the control gates. While the current response of the neuron transistor has a large dependence on the magnitude of the input signal, it shows little dependence on the frequency of the input signal. To demonstrate the potential neuromorphic application of the neuron transistor, functions including abacus-like function, AND logic and OR logic are realized in the neuron transistor.

[Immune effects of specific CTLs response induced by dendritic cells pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with caner/testis antigen NY-ESO-1 peptides in inducing specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) response and antineoplastic immune function of specific CTLs. METHODS: Fifteen patients with II to III stage positive HLA -A0201+ and NY-ESO-1+ were enrolled in the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on the basis of preclinical experiments from November 2014 to October 2015, and their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were isolated. The PBMCs were induced into DCs and pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide. The phenotypes of DCs were stained with antibodies against HLA-DR+CD11c+,CD80+,CD83+ and CD86+, and subsequently analyzed by multichannel flow cytometry (FCM). The killing effects of CTLs pulsed with HLA-A0201-binding peptide NY-ESO-1 and the potential of autologous DCs pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptides in inducing specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) responses were determined. The patients were administered two infusions of auto-logous CTLs for 1 time every two weeks. The total infusion was with 2 times. The immunological responses and clinical responses were examined in 1 week after the final administration. RESULTS: The immunophenotype of DCs pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide was analyzed, HLA-DR+CD11c+ cells (93.6%±1.2%), CD80+ cells (87.3%±3.6%), CD83+ cells (82.8%±2.5%) and CD86+ cells (93.4%±6.4%). PBLs isolated from patients primed by DCs pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide proliferated continuously and the proliferation index (PI) of the PBLs were analyzed. There was significant difference between the DCs loaded with polypeptides and those unloaded, though it could promote the proliferation of PBLs, but the PI was significantly lower than that of the DCs loaded with NY-ESO-1 peptide (P<0.05). The average percentage of special CTLs primed by DCs pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptides was significantly higher than that in the control group (5.2%±1.2% vs. 0.4%±0.1%). CTLs induced by NY-ESO-1 pulsed DCs exerted a stronger killing effect on T2 cell line pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptide than that in the control group at the ratio of E (effect) to T (target) as 30:1, P<0.05. The cytokine levels in the patients'sera such as IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-12 were increased after treatments [(132.9±10.2) µg/L vs. (46.4±3.1) µg/L; (101.3±6.4) µg/L vs. (26.7±1.2) µg/L; (51.3±2.6) µg/L vs. (26.4±1.1) µg/L; all P<0.05], and the percentages of antigen-specific CD8+IFN-γ+ increased in these patients (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Auto-DCs pulsed with NY-ESO-1 peptides can induce the proliferation of allogenic CTLs, which elicit specific immune responses ex vivo or in vivo, and boost anticancer immunity markedly.

Effect of Rhizoma paridis total saponins on apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and imbalance of the JAK/STAT3 molecular pathway induced by IL-6 suppression.

We observed the influence of different concentrations of Rhizoma paridis total saponins (RPTS) on the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and explored the internal mechanism involved. We determined whether RPTS influences the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) apoptosis molecular pathway and looked for colon cancer-related signal transduction pathways or targets inducing apoptosis. We also cultured SW480 colorectal cancer cells using different concentrations of RPTS (10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/ mL), and observed the effect of RPTS on SW480 cell morphology under a fluorescence inverted microscope. We detected serum IL-6 using the polymerase chain reaction and the expression of JAK-STAT3 protein by western blot. After treating SW480 with RPTS and Hoechst 33258 dyeing, we found that the typical apoptosis morphology had changed. Secretion of IL-6 in the serum decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and STAT3 levels were reduced. RPTS can significantly promote apoptosis in SW480 colorectal cancer cells. The mechanism may be that it suppresses the secretion of IL-6 and inhibits the IL-6/JAK-STAT3 protein signaling pathway.

[Investigation for pathological interpretation criteria and its prognostic value for P53 expression in Chinese diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of predicting TP53 mutation risk by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) pattern of P53 in Chinese diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and its correlation with a prognostic difference. Methods: Between January 2021 and December 2021, 51 DLBCL cases at Beijing Boren Hospital were gathered. These cases had both IHC and next-generation sequencing (NGS) results. IHC classified the P53 protein expression pattern into a loss (<1% ) , diffuse (>80% ) , and heterogeneous (1% -80% ) . The sensitivity and specificity of the predicting TP53 mutation by IHC were assessed by comparing the results of the NGS, and the TP53 high mutation risk group included both loss and diffuse expression of P53. From June 2016 to September 2019, Peking University Cancer Hospital collected 131 DLBCL cases with thorough clinicopathological and follow-up data. From their tumor blocks, tissue microarray blocks were made for IHC evaluation of P53 expression pattern, and prognosis effect of P53 studies. Results: Among 51 cases with both IHC and NGS results, 23 cases were classified as TP53 high mutation risk (7 cases loss and 16 cases diffuse) , 22/23 cases were proved with mutated TP53 by NGS. Only 1 of the 28 cases classified as TP53 low mutation risk was proved with mutated TP53 by NGS. IHC had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.7% and 96.4% for predicting TP53 mutation. NGS identified a total of 26 TP53 mutations with a mutation frequency of 61.57% (13.41% -86.25% ) . In the diffuse group, 16 missense mutations and 2 splice mutations were detected; 6 truncating mutations and 1 splice mutation were detected in the loss group; 1 truncating mutation was detected in the heterogeneous group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that TP53 cases with high mutation risk have impartial adverse significance for the 131 patients included in survival analysis (HR=2.612, 95% CI 1.145-5.956, P=0.022) . Conclusion: IHC of P53 exhibiting loss (<1% ) or diffuse (>80% ) pattern indicated TP53 high mutation risk, IHC can predict TP53 mutation with high specificity and sensitivity. TP53 high mutation risk is an independent predictor for adverse survival.

[Clinical characteristics and survival analysis of de novo grade 3 or transformed follicular lymphoma patients].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with de novo grade 3 or transformed follicular lymphoma (FL). Methods: Fifty-two patients treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital between January 2009 and September 2017 were assessed, including 28 patients with FL 3A grade, 13 patients with FL 3B grade, 11 patients with transformed FL. Baseline characteristics, survival and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results: ① Twenty-six male and 26 female patients were enrolled, including 28 patients with FL 3A grade, 13 patients with FL 3B grade, 11 patients with transformed FL. ②The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort were 56.0% and 80.6%, respectively. Patients with international prognostic index (IPI) score 0-1 demonstrated significantly better 3-year PFS (80.3% vs 20.1%; t=18.902, P<0.001) and OS (95.7% vs 57.0%; t=10.406, P<0.001) than patients with IPI score 2-3. Three-year PFS (94.1% vs 37.2% vs 25.2%; P=0.002) and OS (100.0% vs 76.0% vs 59.8%; P=0.020) were also significantly different among patients with FLIPI 1 score 0-1, 2, ≥3. FLIPI 2 score was also identified as a prognostic factor for 3-year PFS (68.4%, 0, 0; P=0.001) and OS(87.5%, 76.2%, 0; P=0.003). ③Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association of PFS (HR=3.536, P=0.015) and OS (HR=15.713, P=0.015) with IPI. FLIPI 2 was associated with OS (score 0-1, HR=0.078, P=0.007; score 2, HR=0.080, P=0.022). Conclusion: De novo grade 3 or transformed FL might be a group of curable disease with current treatment strategies. IPI is still a prognostic tool in this scenario.

[Prognostic significance of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Methods: Forty-eight patients with DLBCL treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital between November 2010 and December 2014 were assessed. All patients underwent PET/CT scanning prior to or after auto-HSCT. Correlation analysis was done based upon patients characteristics, PET/CT scan results and survival. Results: ①Among 48 patients, 27 was male, 21 female, median age was 43 (17-59) years old. ② Patients with negative pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment demonstrated significantly better 3-year progression free survival (PFS) (87.1% vs 53.3%, χ(2)=7.02, P=0.019) and overall survival (OS) (90.3% vs 60.0%, χ(2)=6.51,P=0.022) than patients with positive pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Three-year PFS (94.1% vs 30.0%, χ(2)=22.75, P=0.001) and OS (97.1% vs 40.0%, χ(2)=21.09, P=0.002) were also significantly different between patients with negative and positive post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. ③ Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association of PFS (HR=13.176, P=0.005) and OS (HR=20.221, P=0.007) with post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Number of prior treatment regimens was associated with PFS (HR=10.039, P=0.040). ④ Harrell's C index revealed that the value of combined use of number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment was superior to either one used alone in PFS (Harrell's C values were 0.976, 0.869 and 0.927 in combined use, number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively), and the combined use of ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment significantly increased the Harrell's C index in OS (Harrell's C values were 0.973, 0.711 and 0.919 in combined use, ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively). Conclusions: Post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment is the main predictor of outcomes in DLBCL patients receiving auto-HSCT. Combined use of post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment and number of prior treatment regimens and ECOG performance status is a better prognostic tool in patients with DLBCL undergoing transplantation.

[Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of 99 cases with primary intestinal lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary intestinal lymphoma (PIL) . Methods: The characteristics, diagnosis, treatment methods, and follow-up outcomes of 99 PIL patients, diagnosed in Peking university cancer hospital between Nov.1,1995 and Nov. 30, 2013. Results: There were 65 males and 34 females with a median age of 50 years. The majority of clinical manifestation were non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, 67.68% of cases presented abdominal pain, 26.26% with acute abdomen. The most common primary sites of ileum and ileocecus were identified in 21 cases, respectively. The positive rate of endoscopic was only 24.24%, and 69 cases were diagnosed by operation. 71 patients (71.72%) were stageⅠ-Ⅱand 28 patients (28.28%) were stage Ⅳ. Hodgkin's lymphoma was not found in all patients. Of the 99 cases, 77 were B-cell origin (77.78%) and 22 were T-cell origin. 55 cases (55.56%) were diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . 60 cases presented IPI score 0-1 point. The median overall survival (OS) was 100.0 months, and 5 year overall survival (5y-OS) was 53.5%. By multiple-factors analysis, T-cell origin lymphoma was significantly correlated with poor prognosis (P<0.05) . There was no difference of the median OS between the patients with operation and chemotherapy alone (79.0 vs 123.0 months, P=0.616) . Conclusion: PIL is commonly seen in males. Abdominal pain is the most common clinical manifestations and the most primary sites are ileum and ileocecus. The diagnosis value of the endoscopic is limited. DLBCL is the most common pathologic type of PIL. T-cell origin lymphoma is an independent prognostic factor for PIL. Surgery is still commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of PIL, and the operation do not increase the risk of death of patients with PIL.

Optimization of process parameters for production of volatile fatty acid, biohydrogen and methane from anaerobic digestion.

The anaerobic digestion process has been primarily utilized for methane containing biogas production over the past few years. However, the digestion process could also be optimized for producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and biohydrogen. This is the first review article that combines the optimization approaches for all three possible products from the anaerobic digestion. In this review study, the types and configurations of the bioreactor are discussed for each type of product. This is followed by a review on optimization of common process parameters (e.g. temperature, pH, retention time and organic loading rate) separately for the production of VFA, biohydrogen and methane. This review also includes additional parameters, treatment methods or special additives that wield a significant and positive effect on production rate and these products' yield.

[Efficacy and survival analysis of DICE regimen for 97 patients with relapsed or refractory Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and survival of the DICE regimen (cisplatin, ifosfamide, etoposide, dexamethasone) for relapsed and refractory NHL. Methods: Clinical data of 97 relapsed and refractory NHL patients treated with DICE regimen in Peking University Cancer Hospital between Sep 1. 2008 and Dec 31. 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, and then we evaluate the efficacy and safety of DICE regimen. Results: ① There were 64 males and 33 females with a median age of 49 years. The most common pathological type was DLBCL (73.20%). There were 35 B-NHL patients used rituximab combined with DICE. Finally, a total of 26 patients underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) after the salvage chemotherapy. ② The overall response rate (ORR) was 47.42%, the complete response (CR) rate was 22.68%. The ORR of the relapsed/progressive group was higher than the refractory group [67.57% (25/37) vs 35.00% (21/60), χ2= 9.736, P=0.002]. ③The median follow-up of these 97 patients was 15.0 months (1.5-80.0 months). The expected median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 12.0 (95% CI 5.0-19.0) months, 26.0 (95% CI 6.0-45.9) months. ④There was no difference between the auto-HSCT group and no auto-HSCT group in the median OS [41.0 (95%CI 8.9-73.1) vs 22.0 (95%CI 8.5-35.5) months, P=0.361]. The patients who achieved CR and PR after DICE regimen had longer OS than those patients who in stable or progressive disease (56.0 vs 18.5 months, P <0.001). Patients who used DICE combined with rituximab had longer OS than patients who only used DICE regimen (51.5 vs 28.5 months, P=0.041). The multiple-factor analysis showed that the efficacy of DICE was an independent prognostic factor of OS [HR=4.24 (95%CI 2.12-8.50), P<0.001 ]. ⑤ The major adverse events included neutropenia (84.54% ) , thrombocytopenia (41.24% ), anemia (68.04%), and nausea/vomiting (65.98%), 14 patients (14.43%) had liver function abnormality, 1 patient had acute renal function injury during the treatment period. There was no chemotherapy-related death occurred. Conclusion: The DICE regimen is effective in refractory and relapsed NHL, and DICE is safe and well-tolerated. The high response rate of DICE regimen may correlate with good prognosis. For the B-NHL patients who used DICE combined with rituximab had longer OS than those patients who used DICE regimen only.

Propofol inhibits burn injury-induced hyperpermeability through an apoptotic signal pathway in microvascular endothelial cells.

Recent studies have revealed that an intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade is involved in vascular hyperpermeability and endothelial barrier dysfunction. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has also been reported to inhibit apoptotic signaling by regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and caspase-3 activation. Here, we investigated whether propofol could alleviate burn serum-induced endothelial hyperpermeability through the inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade. Rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMVECs) were pretreated with propofol at various concentrations, followed by stimulation with burn serum, obtained from burn-injury rats. Monolayer permeability was determined by transendothelial electrical resistance. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome C was measured by ELISA. Bax and Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial release of second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (smac) were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by fluorometric assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was determined with JC-1 (a potential-sensitive fluorescent dye). Intracellular ATP content was assayed using a commercial kit, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Burn serum significantly increased monolayer permeability (P<0.05), and this effect could be inhibited by propofol (P<0.05). Compared with a sham treatment group, intrinsic apoptotic signaling activation - indicated by Bax overexpression, Bcl-2 downregulation, Δψm reduction, decreased intracellular ATP level, increased cytosolic cytochrome C and smac, and caspase-3 activation - was observed in the vehicle group. Propofol not only attenuated these alterations (P<0.05 for all), but also significantly decreased burn-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Propofol attenuated burn-induced RLMVEC monolayer hyperpermeability by regulating the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway.

Associative memory realized by a reconfigurable memristive Hopfield neural network.

Although synaptic behaviours of memristors have been widely demonstrated, implementation of an even simple artificial neural network is still a great challenge. In this work, we demonstrate the associative memory on the basis of a memristive Hopfield network. Different patterns can be stored into the memristive Hopfield network by tuning the resistance of the memristors, and the pre-stored patterns can be successfully retrieved directly or through some associative intermediate states, being analogous to the associative memory behaviour. Both single-associative memory and multi-associative memories can be realized with the memristive Hopfield network.

[Scanning electron microscopic observations on Clonorchis sinensis cercariae].

The surface structure of Clonorchis sinensis cercariae was observed under scanning electron microscope. The cercaria was of the parapleuro-lophocercous type. The measurements of the cercariae were as follows: body 137-240 x 62-90 microns, tail 320-470 x 21-34 microns, oral sucker 27-46 x 23-33 microns. The ventral sucker was incompletely developed and much smaller than the oral one. The whole body surface was covered with backward pointing spines. Four horizontal rows of oral spines were found around the mouth opening of the oral sucker. These spines diminished in size with the distance of the rows from the opening and their numbers were 12, 18, 19 and 18 respectively. Transverse and longitudinal plicae formed from tegument were found on the surface of the tail, being in connection with dorsal and ventral fins along posterior half of the tail. Many sensory structures or papillae were observed on the body. They were of three different types: 1) papillae with long or short cilia distributed widely on the body surface and around the mouth opening, the number of papillae with cilia on the body surface being greater than that described by Komiya et al (1940); 2) a few sensory fossa on the tail, measuring 1.0 x 0.6 microns; 3) a few ring-type papillae with knob on the body surface with pore of 0.5 micron in diameter.

[Ultrastructural changes in the body wall and gut of Clonorchis sinensis in rats after albendazole treatment].

The effect of albendazole on the body wall and gut of Clornorchis sinensis was studied with transmission and scanning electron microscopes after albendazole administration to rats infected with Chonorchis sinensis at a single dose of 150 mg/kg. The results showed that swelling and adhesion of the projections of the tegument and gut microvilli occurred 1h after medication. Necrosis and disruption of the projections and the gut microvilli were seen at the 24th h. By the 72nd h, detachment of the partial projections were seen. The dynamic process of the damages observed on the tegument was identical with that of the gut microvilli (Figs. 1-10).

Propofol inhibits burn injury-induced hyperpermeability through an apoptotic signal pathway in microvascular endothelial cells

Recent studies have revealed that an intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade is involved in vascular hyperpermeability and endothelial barrier dysfunction. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has also been reported to inhibit apoptotic signaling by regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and caspase-3 activation. Here, we investigated whether propofol could alleviate burn serum-induced endothelial hyperpermeability through the inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade. Rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMVECs) were pretreated with propofol at various concentrations, followed by stimulation with burn serum, obtained from burn-injury rats. Monolayer permeability was determined by transendothelial electrical resistance. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome C was measured by ELISA. Bax and Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial release of second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (smac) were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by fluorometric assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was determined with JC-1 (a potential-sensitive fluorescent dye). Intracellular ATP content was assayed using a commercial kit, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Burn serum significantly increased monolayer permeability (P<0.05), and this effect could be inhibited by propofol (P<0.05). Compared with a sham treatment group, intrinsic apoptotic signaling activation - indicated by Bax overexpression, Bcl-2 downregulation, Δψm reduction, decreased intracellular ATP level, increased cytosolic cytochrome C and smac, and caspase-3 activation - was observed in the vehicle group. Propofol not only attenuated these alterations (P<0.05 for all), but also significantly decreased burn-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Propofol attenuated burn-induced RLMVEC monolayer hyperpermeability by regulating the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway.