[Experimental study on dendritic cells modified by dust mite allergen gene in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in mouse]

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of dendritic cells (DC) modified by the dust-mite-allergen(Der p1) gene on mouse model of allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: DC modified by the Der p1 gene (Der p1-DC) were prepared.Using random number table, 24 Balb\c mice were divided into four groups: immature DC (imDC)/AR group, dexamethasone/AR group, Der p1-DC/AR group and control group, with 6 mice in each group.AR mouse model was built with Der p1 and the mouse model of AR was established.The AR mice were respectively given by abdominal injection of Der p1-DC, imDC and dexamethasone.Normal control mice were treated with physiologic saline.ELISA method was used for determining the content of IgE, IgG1and histamine in blood.The relative expression of mRNA of IL-4 and IL-13 on nasal mucosa with protein was analyzed by RT-PCR and Westen blot methods.All the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 19.0 statistical software, and the variance analysis was used in multiple groups of average samples. Results: The contents of IgE, IgG1 and histamine in the mice of Der p1-DC/AR group were lower than those in imDC/AR group ((0.560±0.110) OD 450 nm vs (1.150±0.280) OD 450 nm, (0.690±0.054) OD 450 nm vs (0.920±0.125) OD 450 nm, (4 145±670) pg/ml vs (7 685±669) pg/ml, t value was 4.80, 4.14, 9.16, respectively, all P<0.05), and the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 on nasal mucosa in Der p1-DC/AR group was remarkedly lower than those in imDC/AR group (0.41±0.25 vs 1.59±1.02, 0.26±0.01 vs 1.10±0.09, t value was 2.75, 22.72, respectively, all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the mice treated with Der p1-DC and dexamethasone group. Conclusions: The results showed that Der p1-DC could reduce inflammation in AR mice and decrease the expression of IL-4 and IL-13. It suggested that Der p1-DC can be used in the immunotherapy of AR mouse.

[Expression and role of IL-18 in chronic rhinosinusitis]

Objective:To study the expression and role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in different clinical phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS)and in different subtypes of CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).Method:During nasal endoscopic surgery, inferior turbinates were obtained from 13 patients with nasal septum deviation (control group),uncinate processes were obtained from 10 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and nasal polyp tissues were obtained from 36 patients with CRSwNP, respectively. IL-5 expression in CRSwNP was detected by ELISA, and the expression of IL-18 mRNA and protein in different subtypes of CRS were assessed by real-time PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistr.Result:CRSwNP was divided into 12 cases of IL-5 positive nasal polyps (IL-5+NP)group and 24 cases of IL-5 negative nasal polyps (IL-5-NP)group. The expression of IL-18 mRNA and protein in all CRSsNP,IL-5+NP and IL-5-NP groups were higher than that in control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05),but no significant difference existed between IL-5+NP and IL-5-NP (P>0.05) group. IL-18 also expresses in epithelial cells of normal nasal mucosa.Conclusion:CRSwNP can be divided into two main subtypes: IL-5+NP and IL-5-NP. The increasing expression of IL-18 in CRSsNP, IL-5+NP and IL-5-NP compared with control group indicates that IL-18 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of CRS, and IL-18 expression in nasal polyps is not affected by the type of inflammation. The possible presence of balance between IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein in normal nasal mucosa provides a new way for research and treatment of CRS.

Evaluation of radiation loading on finite cylindrical shells using the fast Fourier transform: A comparison with direct numerical integration

The radiation loading on a vibratory finite cylindrical shell is conventionally evaluated through the direct numerical integration (DNI) method. An alternative strategy via the fast Fourier transform algorithm is put forward in this work based on the general expression of radiation impedance. To check the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method, a comparison with DNI is presented through numerical cases. The results obtained using the present method agree well with those calculated by DNI. More importantly, the proposed calculating strategy can significantly save the time cost compared with the conventional approach of straightforward numerical integration.

[Clinical features of community-acquired bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli in patients with liver cirrhosis]

Objective: o investigate the features of pathogenic bacteria for community-acquired bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli in patients with liver cirrhosis and optimal therapeutic strategy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to 302 Hospital of PLA due to community-acquired bloodstream infection from January 2010 to December 2015, and a statistical analysis was performed for their clinical features, pathogenic bacteria, and results of drug sensitivity test. The Pearson chi-square test was used for comparison of rates, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison of ranked data. Results: A total of 240 patients (including 178 male patients) with liver cirrhosis caused by various reasons were enrolled, with a mean age of 51.7 ± 11.1 years, an overall clinical remission rate of 80.42%, and an ineffective/mortality rate of 19.58%. The patients who used sensitive antibiotics within 12 hours after the onset of community-acquired bloodstream infection achieved a significantly higher improvement rate than those who used such drugs at more than 12 hours after onset (88.2% vs 58.1%, P < 0.001). The improvement rate achieved by the application of sensitive antibiotics at more than 12 hours after onset decreased with the increase in the Child-Pugh grade (P < 0.05). A total of 245 strains of Gram-negative bacilli were isolated, among which the six most common ones were 135 strains of Escherichia coli (55.1%), 62 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.3%), 16 strains of Aeromonas (6.5%), 4 strains of non-typhoidal Salmonella (1.6%), 3 strains of Enterobacter cloacae (1.2%), and 2 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii (0.8%). These Gram-negative bacilli had the highest sensitivity to meropenem (98.5%), followed by imipenem (97.9%), amikacin (97.5%), piperacillin/tazobactam (94.7%), cefmetazole (93.7%), and cefoperazone/sulbactam (93%). Different bacteria had different sensitivities to antibiotics. Conclusion: Once community-acquired bloodstream infection occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis, highly sensitive antibiotics should be used as early as possible. Cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, and meropenem can be used as first-line empirical antibiotics, and drug combination should be considered when necessary.

[A multicenter randomized controlled study on the treatment of acute and chronic pharyngitis with Binglianqingye Spray]

Objective:To further evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Binglianqingye Spray on acute and chronic pharyngitis by clinical observation. Method:A randomized, double-blind and multicenter clinical trial which served Jinsangzi Tablet and Jinhoujian Spray as the control groups was conducted to observe the effect of Binglianqingye Spray on 360 patients with acute and chronic pharyngitis. Result:Binglianqingye Spray could significantly improve the symptoms with the exact clinical efficacy of the acute pharyngitis or chronic pharyngitis, such as sore throat, pharyngeal mucosa and uvula, dry throat burning, headache, cough, pharynx posterior wall lymphoid follicles hyperemia swelling and mandibular angle lymph node swelling and so on, but it occasionally occurred urine abnormalities and urine sugar adverse reactions. At the same time, the taste satisfaction was 82.1%. Conclusion:The combined effects of Binglianqingye Spray on the treatment of acute pharyngitis or chronic pharyngitis are well, the adverse reaction is rare and the patient's compliance is high.

Fecal microbiota transplantation induces remission of infantile allergic colitis through gut microbiota re-establishment

AIM

To investigate the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) treatment on allergic colitis (AC) and gut microbiota (GM).

METHODS

We selected a total of 19 AC infants, who suffered from severe diarrhea/hematochezia, did not relieve completely after routine therapy or cannot adhere to the therapy, and were free from organ congenital malformations and other contraindications for FMT. Qualified donor-derived stools were collected and injected to the AC infants via a rectal tube. Clinical outcomes and follow-up observations were noted. Stools were collected from ten AC infants before and after FMT, and GM composition was assessed for infants and donors using 16S rDNA sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

After FMT treatment, AC symptoms in 17 infants were relieved within 2 d, and no relapse was observed in the next 15 mo. Clinical improvement was also detected in the other two AC infants who were lost to follow-up. During follow-up, one AC infant suffered from mild eczema and recovered shortly after hormone therapy. Based on the 16S rDNA analysis in ten AC infants, most of them (n = 6) had greater GM diversity after FMT. As a result, Proteobacteria decreased (n = 6) and Firmicutes increased (n = 10) in post-FMT AC infants. Moreover, Firmicutes accounted for the greatest proportion of GM in the patients. At the genus level, Bacteroides (n = 6), Escherichia (n = 8), and Lactobacillus (n = 4) were enriched in some AC infants after FMT treatment, but the relative abundances of Clostridium (n = 5), Veillonella (n = 7), Streptococcus (n = 6), and Klebsiella (n = 8) decreased dramatically.

CONCLUSION

FMT is a safe and effective method for treating pediatric patients with AC and restoring GM balance.

The Urgent Rehabilitation Technique Education Program for Wenchuan Earthquake Victims

An Urgent Rehabilitation Technique Education Program was conducted in response to the needs of the enormous number of the Wenchuan earthquake patients and the shortage of rehabilitation professionals. This program referred to an urgent training program of several rehabilitation techniques that was beneficial to earthquake victims. This short-term program covered the basic clinical technical trainings in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, which were included in concentrated technical training, decentralized technical training, and disaster area technical advising. More than 1,500 health-care professionals in Sichuan province took this education program at different locations, which can improve the shortage of rehabilitation professionals, addressing to the clinical need of the earthquake patients, improving local rehabilitation technique, and standardized of the rehabilitation treatments for earthquake patients. This program could be considered as an economical and effective method to help the disaster situation especially there was shortage of health professionals. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2011;18:324-327)

[Treatment of hemangioma of larynx by injecting bleomycin with a modified laryngeal micro-injector under the suspension laryngoscope and operating microscope]

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of treating laryngeal hemangioma by injecting bleomycin with self-made laryngeal microinjector under the suspension laryngoscope and operating microscope.Method:Thirteen patients with hemangioma of larynx(diameters of tumors range from 1.2-3.8 cm) were admitted and treated by injecting bleomycin with a modified laryngeal micro-injector under the suspension laryngoscope and operating microscope from January 2012 to September 2016. According to the tumor size, 4.5-7.5 mg bleomycin was injected and the patients received treatment every four weeks until there were no evident tumor residues. Result:Four of the 13 patients were cured after the first injection, 6 were cured after the second injection, and 3 cured after the third injection. All cases were followed up without recurrence. Conclusion:Bleomycin injection with a modified laryngeal micro injector under the suspension laryngoscope and operating microscope is proved to be a effective measure with the advantage of precise, minimal- invasive, and efficient therapeutic effect in treatment of laryngeal hemangioma.

Diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, a well-known medicinal plant in China

About 1051 endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves, branches, barks and stems of Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li from four sites in Hainan, China. The fungi were identified as 21 genera by morphology and ITS sequences. One dominant species was Phomopsis quercella in Hainan Tropical Botanical Garden and Bawangling Nature Reserve, with relative frequency of 42·06 and 34·88% respectively. Another dominant species was Colletotrichum boninense in Wuzhishan and Jianfengling Nature Reserves, with relative frequency of 36·84 and 46·97% respectively. Among the selected 21 endophytic fungi, 17 strains (80·95%) had activity against at least one pathogenic bacteria, and 14 strains (66·67%) exhibited activity against at least one fungal pathogens. Neonectria macroconidialis showed strong inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone being 20 mm), Bacillus subtilis (14 mm) and Streptococcus agalactiae (28 mm). Xylaria sp. showed strong inhibition against Escherichia coli (20 mm), Rhizoctonia solani (20 mm) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (17 mm). Verticillium bulbillosum showed great activity against Strep. agalactiae (32 mm) and Fusarium oxysporum (22 mm). These endophytic fungi showed potentials in medicine development.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Endophytic fungi from medicinal plants are an important source of novel and viable drugs. Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li is well known for leukaemia treatment and its endophytic fungi were isolated to investigate the diversity and antimicrobial activity. It was found that Ce. hainanensis Li had rich endophytic fungi, and some fungi showed strong antimicrobial activity against certain pathogens. These fungi can be used in medicine development.

Five in one therapy for graded treatment of haemophilic arthritis

INTRODUCTION

Haemophilic arthritis is the most universal clinical appearance of haemophilia. Treatment of this disease has become an important and difficult issue worldwide until recently.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of five in one therapy for graded treatment of haemophilic arthritis.

METHODS

Haemophilic arthritis was classified into grades I-IV according to severity and the standards of De Palma and Cotler. Under no application of FVIII/FIX replacement therapy state, the effect of five in one therapy (intra-articular cavity drug injection, oral drug preparation, physiotherapy, and prevention of haemorrhage and infection evoked by puncture) was observed in 1527 affected joints of 750 cases of haemophilic arthritis.

RESULTS

After 20 days treatment, all grade I and II, 94.98% of grade III and 56.16% of grade IV affected joints were completely relieved; 5.02% of grade III and 41.47% of grade IV affected joints were basically relieved; and 2.38% of grade IV were partially relieved. This resulted in short-term complete and basic relief of 98.56% (1505/1527) of all affected joints. After follow-up of 1-6 years, 86.97% of the affected joints were completely relieved, without any adverse reaction or complication.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that five in one therapy is safe and effective for treatment of haemophilic arthritis, and provides a convenient, cost-effective way of preventing and treating deformity caused by haemophilic arthritis.

Plasma levels and placental expression of vaspin in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus

The present study aimed to investigate visceral adipose tissue-specific serpin (vaspin) concentrations in serum and term placentas and relate these values to insulin resistance and lipid parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 30 GDM subjects and 27 age-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, control) were included. Serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, insulin, and vaspin were measured at the end of pregnancy, and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were calculated. Vaspin mRNA and protein levels in placentas were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Serum vaspin levels were significantly lower in the GDM group than in controls (0.49±0.24 vs 0.83±0.27 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.01). Three days after delivery, serum vaspin levels were significantly decreased in subjects with GDM (0.36±0.13 vs 0.49±0.24 ng/mL, P<0.01). However, in the GDM group, serum vaspin levels were not correlated with the parameters evaluated. In contrast, in the control group, serum vaspin levels were positively correlated with triglycerides (TG; r=0.45, P=0.02) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; r=0.42, P=0.03). Placental mRNA vaspin (0.60±0.32 vs 0.68±0.32, P=0.46) and protein (0.30±0.08 vs 0.39±0.26; P=0.33) levels in the GDM group did not differ significantly from those in the control group, but were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight in the GDM group (r=-0.48, P=0.03; r=-0.88; P<0.01). Our findings indicated that vaspin may be an important adipokine involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and may also play a role in fetal development.

An overview on natural polysaccharides with antioxidant properties

Pharmacotherapy using natural substances can be currently regarded as a very promising future alternative to conventional therapy. With the rapid development of biotechnologies and analytical techniques, a great number of methods have been developed for the identification and quantification of the material, extracts, and products of natural ingredients. The advances available today. The need for safer drugs without side effects has led to the use of natural ingredients with proven safety. In recent years, some bioactive polysaccharides isolated from natural sources have attracted much attention in the field of biochemistry and pharmacology. As an example, polysaccharides or their glycoconjugates were shown to exhibit multiple biological activities including anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, immunostimulating, antioxidant, etc. During the last several years, we have witnessed a steady expansion in the number of publications that focus in antioxidant polysaccharides. This review presents current findings on the latest advancements and trends in antioxidant polysaccharides isolated from the following: plants, fungi, bacteria, animal sources, and algae. Some interesting studies focus on investigation of the relationship between their structure and antioxidant activity, elucidation of their antioxidant mechanism at the molecular level, and improvement of their various biological activities by chemical modifications. Although the mechanism of their antioxidant action is still not completely clear, these polysaccharides are suggested to enhance cell-mediated immune responses in vivo and in vitro and act as biological response modifiers.

MiR-221 promotes the development of androgen independence in prostate cancer cells via downregulation of HECTD2 and RAB1A

Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer typically progresses to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after the androgen deprivation therapy. We investigated the impact of microRNAs (miRs) in the transition of prostate cancer to CRPC. MiR-221/-222 was highly expressed in bone metastatic CRPC tumor specimens. We previously demonstrated that transient overexpression of miR-221/-222 in LNCaP promoted the development of the CRPC phenotype. In current study, we show that stably overexpressing miR-221 confers androgen independent (AI) cell growth in LNCaP by rescuing LNCaP cells from growth arrest at G1 phase due to the lack of androgen. Overexpressing of miR-221 in LNCaP reduced the transcription of a subgroup of androgen-responsive genes without affecting the androgen receptor (AR) or AR-androgen integrity. By performing systematic biochemical and bioinformatical analyses, we identified two miR-221 targets, HECTD2 and RAB1A, which could mediate the development of CRPC phenotype in multiple prostate cancer cell lines. Downregulation of HECTD2 significantly affected the androgen-induced and AR-mediated transcription, and downregulation of HECTD2 or RAB1A enhances AI cell growth. As a result of the elevated expression of miR-221, expression of many cell cycle genes was altered and pathways promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition/tumor metastasis were activated. We hypothesize that a major biological consequence of upregulation of miR-221 is reprogramming of AR signaling, which in turn may mediate the transition to the CRPC phenotype.

Abstract PD01-08: Differences in estrogen receptor signaling in non-malignant primary ER-positive breast epithelial cells and breast cancer

Background: The estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in ∼70% of sporadic breast cancer and activates genes driving cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. We have previously performed genome-wide analysis of ER binding sites in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and identified distinct mechanisms of ER signaling. We have also previously used EpCAM and CD49f as markers to enrich for viable ER-positive (ER+) cells obtained from non malignant breast tissue. Here, we seek to elucidate differences in ER signaling between non-malignant and ER+ breast cancer cells.

Methods: Primary breast epithelial cells were obtained from patients undergoing reduction mammoplasties and surgical excision of ER+ breast cancer. After dissociation of breast reductions into a single-cell suspension, ER+ mature luminal (ML; EpCAM+CD49f−) and luminal progenitor (LP; EpCAM+CD49f+) subpopulations were obtained by flow cytometry. Following estrogen stimulation, RNA was extracted for gene microarray analysis. ER chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed. These results were compared to MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Results: Reduction mammoplasty and ER+ breast cancer tissues were analyzed, and compared to MCF-7 cells. Gene expression profiles were different between non-malignant tissue and ER+ breast cancer cells following estrogen stimulation, with a 2–3 fold higher number of ER regulated genes in ER+ breast cancer compared to ER+ non malignant cells, and few overlapping estrogen regulated genes. Genes that promotes cell cycling and cell proliferation were downregulated in non-malignant tissue, but were upregulated in breast cancer cells (P &lt; 10–5). CYP1A1, a major estradiol metabolizing enzyme, was upregulated in normal cells but downregulated in ER+ breast cancer cells. Motif analysis of ER ChIP-seq data in normal and ER+ breast cancer tissues demonstrated an enrichment of ER motifs in the overlapping sites and an enrichment of FOXA1 motifs in ER+ breast cancer cells and TCF12 motifs in non-malignant ER+ epithelial cells.

Conclusions: There are contrasting differences in ER signaling between normal mammary and breast cancer cells, with estrogen having anti-proliferative effects in normal luminal cells compared to pro-proliferative effects in breast cancer. ER ChIP-Seq has identified TCF12 as a major co-factor in non-malignant breast tissue whilst FOXA1 is a major co-factor in ER+ breast cancer. Our data provides evidence for key alterations in ER-signaling during tumorigenesis, and identifies potential mechanisms to target cancer specific ER signaling.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD01-08.

The effect of acidification on the determination of elemental carbon, char-, and soot-elemental carbon in soils and sediments

We studied the influence of acid pretreatment on the effective distinction between elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC), and between char-EC and soot-EC. Though widely employed in the pretreatment of soils and sediments for EC quantification, the use of HCl, HF, and HNO(3) could decrease soot thermal stability as acid remains, leading to an underestimation of soot-EC by thermal methods. We compared thermal optical reflectance (TOR) measurements of EC concentrations in char reference materials and in lacustrine and marine sediments following pretreatment with various acids. The results showed that pretreatment with 2M HCl, concentrated HNO(3), 7 M HNO(3), and 1 M HNO(3) did not result in EC oxidation. However, hot concentrated HNO(3) oxidized EC significantly, leading to lower concentrations of EC, char-EC and soot-EC. By comparing the removal of potentially interfering materials, which contain little fire-derived carbon, with different acid pretreatments, we recommend the HCl-HF-HCl and concentrated (not hot) HNO(3)-HF-HCl pretreatments for the determination of EC, char-EC, and soot-EC in soils and sediments using the TOR method.

Effect of polymer surface modification on polymer-protein interaction via hydrophilic polymer grafting

Surface modification of flat sheet ultrafiltration membranes, polyethersulfone (PES), was investigated to improve the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface thereby reducing adsorption of the proteins onto the membrane. Grafting of hydrophilic polymers onto UV/ozone-treated PES was used to improve the hydrophilicity of the commercial PES membranes. Hydrophilic polymers, that is, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and chitosan, were employed to graft onto PES membrane surfaces because of their excellent hydrophilic property. The surfaces of modified PES membranes were characterized by contact angle measurement, FTIR, and AFM. The FTIR spectra indicated that PES membranes were successfully modified by grafting of the hydrophilic polymers. The modified PES membranes showed 20% to 50% reduction in contact angle measurements in comparison with those of the virgin PES membrane. The tapping mode AFM technique was employed to investigate the changes of surface topography, cross-section, and root mean square roughness of the modified PES membrane surfaces. The modified PES membranes showed elevated roughness (ranging from 7.0 to 25.7 nm) compared with that of the virgin PES membrane (2.1 nm). It is concluded that grafting of PVA, PEG, or chitosan onto UV/ozone-treated PES membranes increases hydrophilicity and lowers protein adsorption by 20% to 60% compared to the virgin PES membrane. Among the 3 hydrophilic polymers studied, PEG showed the most favorable result in terms of contact angle and protein adsorption.

Evaluation of Free Flaps Transferred by Microvascular Anastomosis in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The authors discuss indications for the use of microvascular free flaps transferred to the oral and maxillofacial region. A series of 139 cases, involving 145 free flaps, is reported over a three year period. The overall success rate for all types of flaps was 89.3%. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of various flaps are presented and suggestions are offered to avoid complications.

The study of beta-lactoglobulin adsorption on polyethersulfone thin film surface using QCM-D and AFM

The adsorption process of beta-lactoglobulin on the polyethersulfone-coated surface has been investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), which allowed simultaneous measurements of frequency and energy dissipation changes caused by the formation of a beta-lactoglobulin layer during the protein adsorption process. The results showed that the protein adsorption on the spin-coated polyethersulfone surface consisted of reversible and irreversible adsorption processes, and the irreversible adsorption was the principal factor to cause the permanent protein adsorption onto the polymer surface. The amount of irreversible adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin increased significantly, from 380.5 +/- 23.2 to 745.5 +/- 29.7 ng/cm2, when the concentration of beta-lactoglobulin solution varied from 0.1% to 2.0% (w/v). The pH also played an important role in the protein adsorption. When the pH of the solution varied from 7.0 to 3.0, the amount of irreversible adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin increased from 427.1 +/- 80.7 to 741.2 +/- 135.1 ng/cm2.

A TiO2/AC composite photocatalyst with high activity and easy separation prepared by a hydrothermal method

In the present work, a TiO2/activated carbon (AC) photocatalyst with high activity and easy separation was prepared using a hydrothermal method. Phenol, methyl orange (MO) and Cr(VI) were used as target pollutants to test the activity and decantability. SEM, XRD, FTIR, diffuse reflectance spectra (UV/DRS) and N2 adsorption isotherms were used to characterize the crystalline and electronic structure. Results show that the AC composite has a significant effect on the TiO2 activity. With suitable AC content, the TiO2/xAC catalysts prepared were much more active. The TiO2/5AC catalyst exhibited easy separation and less deactivation after several runs, and was less sensitive to pH changes. UV/DRS revealed that no electronic bandgap changes in TiO2 occurred on addition of the AC. SEM and XRD results suggest that better TiO2 distribution can be achieved when an optimal AC content is used. A Ti-O-C bond was formed and a slight conjugation effect appeared between the AC bulk and TiO2. The advantages of the obtained TiO2/5AC catalyst revealed its great practical potential in wastewater treatment.

Activated carbon with excellent chromium(VI) adsorption performance prepared by acid-base surface modification

In the present work, activated carbon (AC) with excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance especially at low concentrations was prepared by an acid-base surface modification method. Raw activated carbon (AC(0)) was first oxidized in boiling HNO(3) (AC(1)), then treated with a mixture of NaOH and NaCl (AC(2)). Batch equilibrium and continuous column adsorption were conducted to evaluate the adsorption performance. Boehm titration, elemental analysis, and N(2)/77K adsorption isotherm methods were used to characterize the surface properties and pore structure of modified ACs. The results revealed that the modified AC exhibited excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance in terms of adsorption capacity and adsorption rate: AC(2)>AC(1)>AC(0). Modification caused S(BET) to decrease and the total number of surface oxygen acidic groups to increase. HNO(3) oxidization produced positive acid groups, and subsequently NaOH treatment replaced H(+) of surface acid groups by Na(+), and the acidity of AC decreased. The main cause of higher Cr(VI) adsorption capacity and rate for AC(2) was the presence of more oxygen surface acidic groups and suitable surface acidity. HNO(3)-NaOH modification shows potential for the preparation of high quality AC for the effective removal of low concentrations of Cr(VI).

Gene expression profile of multiple myeloma cell line treated by realgar

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Realgar treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), cDNA microaaray was used to compare the gene expression profiles of MM cell line RPMI8226 at 72 hrs pre- and post-Realgar treatment on three separate days. 54 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated genes were identified by cDNA microarray. Further analysis screened out 17 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated genes with Z-score greater than 2 or less than -2, which can be considered the significantly altered genes after Realgar treatment in this study. CCL2, CCL3, BTG1,TNFAIP3, TNFAIP8, SLC38A2, IGFBP4 were important up-regulated genes and they were associated with a variety of cell life functions such as cell growth, cell-cell signaling, regulation of apoptosis and cell homeostasis based on biological process of gene. There are only 3 significantly down-regulated genes (Z-score <-2.0) involved in muscle contract. Several of these genes have been previously identified in relation to MM in published papers. Subsequent validation of selected genes (CCL2, TNFAIP3 and BTG1) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was consistent with our microarray analysis. CCL2 may be involved in MM pathobiology by tumor growth suppression. BTG1 could be used as a potential treatment-related biomarker for monitoring the therapy effect and the remission status of leukemia patients.

Inhibitory effects of budesonide, desloratadine and dexamethasone on cytokine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1)

OBJECTIVE

To determine the inhibitory potency of budesonide on interleukin (IL)-4, 6 and 8, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha release from the human mast cell line (HMC-1) in comparison with the systemic glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone, and H(1) antagonist, desloratadine.

METHODS

HMC-1 was stimulated with 25 ng/ml phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 2.5 x 10(-7) M ionomycin (A23187) for 6, 12 and 24 h in both the presence and absence of 10(-6)-10(-10) M concentrations of the test drugs. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed by ELISAs.

RESULTS

HMC-1 produced substantial amounts of GM-CSF and IL-8 and smaller amounts of TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-6 after being stimulated with PMA together with A23187. Budesonide and dexamethasone had potent inhibitory effects and desloratadine had modest inhibitory effects on the release of these cytokines. Budesonide was more potent than dexamethasone at most concentrations and time points. IL-4 was the cytokine which was most susceptible to inhibition by the three tested drugs. The inhibitory effects, in some cases, were time- and concentration-dependent.

CONCLUSION

Budesonide had a potent inhibitory effect on cytokine release from HMC-1. Its potency was greater than that of both dexamethasone and desloratadine.