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The Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan （APPCAP） was promulgated in China in 2013. To explore the effectiveness of APPCAP on PM 2.5 in winter in Zhengzhou, PM 2.5 samples were collected in Zhengzhou Monitoring Center during December 2013 and December 2018. The chemical composition of PM 2.5 was analyzed, including EC, OC, water soluble ions, and metal elements. Pollution episodes under different stages were selected to investigate the changes in PM 2.5 concentration and composition. The results showed that： ① The average concentration of PM 2.5 in winter in Zhengzhou decreased from （215.38 ±107.28） μg·m -3 in 2013 to （77.45 ±49.81） μg·m -3 in 2018, with a decrease rate of 64%. ② The concentrations of EC, K + , SO 4 2- , and Cl - decreased by 85%, 80%, 78%, and 72%, respectively, and the decrease rate in OC, NH 4 + , and NO 3 - was 50%, 41%, and 32%, respectively. ③ Compared with those in winter of 2013, the ratios of OC/EC in winter of 2018 increased by 2.6 times, and the proportion of secondary organic carbon in OC increased to 57%； meanwhile, values of sulfur oxidation rate and nitrogen oxidation rate increased by 1.5 and 1.0 times, respectively, indicating heavy secondary pollution in Zhengzhou. ④ The mass ratios of NO 3 - /SO 4 2- increased from 0.8 ±0.2 in 2013 to 2.5 ±1.0 in 2018, indicating that the contribution of mobile sources increased and surpassed fixed sources as the main source in Zhengzhou. ⑤The comparison results of different stages of the heavy pollution process showed that ρ （PM 2.5 ） decreased significantly in 2018 compared with that in 2013, with the peak concentration decreasing by 61%. The main chemical composition changed from OC, NO 3 - , SO 4 2- , and NH 4 + to OC, NO 3 - , and NH 4 + . The results indicated that the primary emission source control in Zhengzhou had achieved remarkable effects, but the contribution of secondary generation to PM 2.5 showed an elevated trend； thus, the influence of secondary generation requires further attention in the future.

The innate immune system recognizes conserved features of viral and microbial pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptors ( TLR s) are one type of PRR used by the innate immune system to mediate the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and promote innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR family members TLR 7 and TLR8 (referred to as TLR 7/8 from herein) are endosomal transmembrane receptors that recognize purine-rich single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and bacterial DNA, eliciting an immunologic reaction to pathogens. TLR 7/8 were discovered to mediate the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by activating immune cells. In addition, accumulating evidence has indicated that TLR7/8 may be closely related to numerous immune-mediated disorders, specifically several types of cancer, autoimmune disease, and viral disease. TLR 7/8 agonists and antagonists, which are used as drugs or adjuvants, have been identified in preclinical studies and clinical trials as promising immune stimulators for the immunotherapy of these immune-mediated disorders. These results provided reasoning to further explore immunotherapy for the treatment of immune-mediated disorders. Nevertheless, numerous needs remain unmet, and the therapeutic effects of TLR 7/8 agonists and antagonists are poor and exert strong immune-related toxicities. The present review aimed to provide an overview of the TLR family members, particularly TLR 7/8, and address the underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical implications of TLR 7/8 in immune-mediated disorders. The aim of the work is to discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical implications of TLR 7/8 in immune-mediated disorders.

As a major class of medicine for treating the lethal type of castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa), long-term use of androgen receptor (AR) antagonists commonly leads to antiandrogen resistance. When AR signaling pathway is blocked by AR-targeted therapy, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) could compensate for AR function especially at the late stage of PCa. AR-GR dual antagonist is expected to be a good solution for this situation. Nevertheless, no effective non-steroidal AR-GR dual antagonist has been reported so far. In this study, an AR-GR dual binder H18 was first discovered by combining structure-based virtual screening and biological evaluation. Then with the aid of computationally guided design, the AR-GR dual antagonist HD57 was finally identified with antagonistic activity towards both AR (IC 50  = 0.394 μM) and GR (IC 50  = 17.81 μM). Moreover, HD57 could effectively antagonize various clinically relevant AR mutants. Further molecular dynamics simulation provided more atomic insights into the mode of action of HD57. Our research presents an efficient and rational strategy for discovering novel AR-GR dual antagonists, and the new scaffold provides important clues for the development of novel therapeutics for castration-resistant PCa., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Pharmacological Society.)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proven promising in addressing many critical issues related to gas separation and purification. However, it remains a great challenge to optimize the pore environment of MOFs for purification of specific gas mixtures. Herein, we report the rational construction of three isostructural microporous MOFs with the 4,4',4"-tricarboxyltriphenylamine (H 3 TCA) ligand, unusual hexaprismane Ni 6 O 6 cluster, and functionalized pyrazine pillars [PYZ-x, x = -H (DZU-10), -NH 2 (DZU-11), and -OH (DZU-12)], where the building blocks of Ni 6 O 6 clusters and huddled pyrazine pillars are reported in porous MOFs for the first time. These building blocks have enabled the resulting materials to exhibit good chemical stability and variable pore chemistry, which thus contribute to distinct performances toward C 2 H 2 /CO 2 separation. Both single-component isotherms and dynamic column breakthrough experiments demonstrate that DZU-11 with the PYZ-NH 2 pillar outperforms its hydrogen and hydroxy analogues. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the higher C 2 H 2 affinity of DZU-11 over CO 2 is attributed to multiple electrostatic interactions between C 2 H 2 and the framework, including strong C≡C···H-N (2.80 Å) interactions. This work highlights the potential of pore environment optimization to construct smart MOF adsorbents for some challenging gas separations.

Objective: To investigate the effects of non-muscle myosin Ⅱ ( NMⅡ ) gene silenced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on pulmonary extracellular matrix (ECM) and fibrosis in rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: The experimental research methods were adopted. Cells from femur and tibial bone marrow cavity of four one-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were identified as BMMSCs by flow cytometry, and the third passage of BMMSCs were used in the following experiments. The cells were divided into NMⅡ silenced group transfected with pHBLV-U6-ZsGreen-Puro plasmid containing small interference RNA sequence of NMⅡ gene, vector group transfected with empty plasmid, and blank control group without any treatment, and the protein expression of NMⅡ at 72 h after intervention was detected by Western blotting ( n =3). The morphology of cells was observed by an inverted phase contrast microscope and cells labeled with chloromethylbenzoine (CM-DiⅠ) in vitro were observed by an inverted fluorescence microscope. Twenty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into blank control group, ALI alone group, ALI+BMMSC group, and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group according to the random number table, with 5 rats in each group. Rats in blank control group were not treated, and rats in the other 3 groups were given LPS to induce ALI. Immediately after modeling, rats in ALI alone group were injected with 1 mL normal saline via tail vein, rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were injected with 1×10 7 /mL BMMSCs and NMⅡ gene silenced BMMSCs of 1 mL labelled with CM-DiⅠ via tail vein, and rats in blank control group were injected with 1 mL normal saline via tail vein at the same time point, respectively. At 24 h after intervention, the lung tissue was collected to observe intrapulmonary homing of the BMMSCs by an inverted fluorescence microscope. Lung tissue was collected at 24 h, in 1 week, and in 2 weeks after intervention to observe pulmonary inflammation by hematoxylin eosin staining and to observe pulmonary fibrosis by Masson staining, and the pulmonary fibrosis in 2 weeks after intervention was scored by modified Ashcroft score ( n =5). The content of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 2 weeks after intervention ( n =3), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase (MPO) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 24 h after intervention ( n =3), and the protein expressions of CD11b and epidermal growth factor like module containing mucin like hormone receptor 1 (EMR1) in 1 week after intervention were detected by immunofluorescence staining ( n =3). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni method, and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: At 72 h after intervention, the NMⅡprotein expression of cells in NMⅡ silenced group was significantly lower than those in blank control group and vector group (with P values <0.01). BMMSCs were in long spindle shape and grew in cluster shaped like vortexes, which were labelled with CM-DiⅠ successfully in vitro. At 24 h after intervention, cell homing in lung of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was more pronounced than that in ALI+BMMSC group, while no CM-DiⅠ-labelled BMMSCs were observed in lung of rats in blank control group and ALI alone group. There was no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue of rats in blank control group at all time points, while inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly less than that in ALI alone group at 24 h after intervention, and alveolar wall turned to be thinner and a small amount of congestion in local lung tissue appeared in rats of the two groups in 1 week and 2 weeks after intervention. In 1 week and 2 weeks after intervention, collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue of rats in ALI alone group, ALI+BMMSC group, and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly aggravated compared with that in blank control group, while collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly improved compared with that in ALI alone group. In 2 weeks after intervention, modified Ashcroft scores for pulmonary fibrosis of rats in ALI alone group, ALI+BMMSC group, and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were 2.36±0.22, 1.62±0.16, 1.06±0.26, respectively, significantly higher than 0.30±0.21 in blank control group ( P <0.01). Modified Ashcroft scores for pulmonary fibrosis of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were significantly lower than that in ALI alone group ( P <0.01), and modified Ashcroft score for pulmonary fibrosis of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly lower than that in ALI+BMMSC group ( P <0.01). In 2 weeks after intervention, the content of α-SMA in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were significantly decreased compared with that in ALI alone group ( P <0.05 or P <0.01). The content of MMP-2 in lung tissue of rats in the 4 groups was similar ( P >0.05). The content of MMP-9 in lung tissue of rats in ALI alone group was significantly increased compared with that in blank control group ( P <0.01), and the content of MMP-9 in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly decreased compared with that in ALI alone group ( P <0.01). At 24 h after intervention, the activity of malondialdehyde, SOD, and MPO in lung tissue of rats in ALI alone group, ALI+BMMSC group, and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were significantly increased compared with that in blank control group ( P <0.01), the activity of malondialdehyde in lung tissue of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group and the activity of SOD in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group were significantly increased compared with that in ALI alone group ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and the activity of SOD in lung tissue of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly decreased compared with that in ALI+BMMSC group ( P <0.01). The activity of MPO in lung tissue of rats in ALI+BMMSC group and ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly decreased compared with that in ALI alone group ( P <0.01), and the activity of MPO in lung tissue of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly decreased compared with that in ALI+BMMSC group ( P <0.01). In 1 week after intervention, the protein expression of CD11b in lung tissue of rats in ALI+NMⅡ silenced BMMSC group was significantly increased compared with those in the other three groups ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), while the protein expressions of EMR1 in lung tissue of rats in the four groups were similar ( P >0.05). Conclusions: Transplantation of NMⅡ gene silenced BMMSCs can significantly improve the activity of ECM components in the lung tissue in LPS-induced ALI rats, remodel its integrity, and enhance its antioxidant capacity, and alleviate lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: In recent years, reports of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) have gradually increased, including reports on how these conditions threaten the lives of children. However, the specific mechanism of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin (CARDS TX) and High-mobility group box protein 1-Toll-like receptors-Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (HMGB1-TLRs-MyD88) in MPP and to examine the immune pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection., Methods: Children who were diagnosed with MPP and examined by bronchoscopy were included in the MPP group. Additionally, children who underwent bronchoscopy because of bronchial foreign bodies in the same period were included in the control group. Gene expression of CARDS TX, HMGB1, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Correlations between CARDS TX and HMGB1-TLRs-MyD88 were analyzed., Results: CARDS TX, HMGB1, TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression in BALF in the MPP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.05). CARDS TX mRNA expression was positively correlated with HMGB1, TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, HMGB1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with TLR2, MyD88, and CD14 mRNA expression (all P < 0.05)., Conclusions: CARDS TX may participate in the immune pathogenesis of MPP through the HMGB1-TLRs/CD14-MyD88 pathway., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Two novel luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn 3 (TCA) 2 (BPB) 2 ] n (DZU-101, where H 3 TCA = 4,4',4''-tricarboxyltriphenylamine and BPB = 1,4-bis(pyrid-4-yl)benzene) and [Zn 3 (TCA) 2 (BPB)DMA] n (DZU-102), based on the same ligands and metal ions were synthesized by regulating the amount of water in the solvothermal reaction system. Structural analyses show that the two MOFs have pillar-layered frameworks with Zn 3 clusters connected by the TCA 3- and BPB ligands. Interestingly, DZU-102 possessed a two-fold interpenetrated framework distinct from the individual network of DZU-101. As a result, DZU-102 showed a visual fluorescence color change from chartreuse to azure in m -xylene, while the fluorescence color was turquoise in p -/ o -xylene with no change. Furthermore, compared with p / o -xylene, the fluorescence emission peak of DZU-102 in m -xylene suspension produced an obvious blue shift. Moreover, selective fluorescence sensing experiments were also carried out, which demonstrated that the degree of peak shift was related to the concentration of m -xylene, indicating the potential application of DZU-102 in fluorescence sensing of m -xylene from xylene isomers and further revealed the application of structural interpenetration for luminescence tuning of MOFs.

Androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, is a master regulator in the development and progress of prostate cancer (PCa). A major challenge for the clinically used AR antagonists is the rapid emergence of resistance induced by the mutations at AR ligand binding domain (LBD), and therefore the discovery of novel anti-AR therapeutics that can combat mutation-induced resistance is quite demanding. Therein, blocking the interaction between AR and DNA represents an innovative strategy. However, the hits confirmed targeting on it so far are all structurally based on a sole chemical scaffold. In this study, an integrated docking-based virtual screening (VS) strategy based on the crystal structure of the DNA binding domain (DBD) of AR was conducted to search for novel AR antagonists with new scaffolds and 2-(2-butyl-1,3-dioxoisoindoline-5-carboxamido)-4,5-dimethoxybenzoicacid (Cpd39) was identified as a potential hit, which was competent to block the binding of AR DBD to DNA and showed decent potency against AR transcriptional activity. Furthermore, Cpd39 was safe and capable of effectively inhibiting the proliferation of PCa cell lines (i.e., LNCaP, PC3, DU145, and 22RV1) and reducing the expression of the genes regulated by not only the full-length AR but also the splice variant AR-V7. The novel AR DBD-ARE blocker Cpd39 could serve as a starting point for the development of new therapeutics for castration-resistant PCa., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to CPS and SIMM.)

This paper reports on the mechanism of the hysteresis in the transition between regular and Mach shock wave reflections. We disclose that, for a given inflow Mach number, a stable reflection configuration should maintain the minimal dissipation. As the wedge angle varies, the set of the minimal dissipation points forms the valley lines in the dissipation landscape, and these valley lines compose the hysteresis loop. The saddle-nodes, intersections of the ridge line, and the valley lines are actually the transition points. Additionally, the predicted reflection configurations agree well with the experimental and numerical results, validating this theory.

Background: Monocytes are recruited into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with neurosyphilis, suggesting abnormal chemokine expression. We aimed to investigate the aberrant expression of chemokines in the CSF of these patients., Methods: CSF and serum samples were collected from patients with neurosyphilis between July 2017 and June 2019 in the Dermatology Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University. Differences in the expression of 38 chemokines between patients with and without neurosyphilis were detected using RayBio ® Human Chemokine Antibody Array C1. CCL24 and CXCL7 levels in the patients' CSF and serum were further measured using RayBio ® CCL24 and CXCL7 ELISA kits., Results: Ninety-three CSF and serum samples of patients with syphilis were collected. Antibody array analysis showed that the CSF levels of CCL24 (P = .0185), CXCL7 (P < .0001), CXCL13 (P < .0001), CXCL10 (P < .0001), and CXCL8 (P < .0001) were significantly higher in patients with than without neurosyphilis. ELISA confirmed significantly higher CCL24 and CXCL7 levels in the CSF of patients with than without neurosyphilis (CCL24: 6.082 ± 1.137 pg/mL vs 1.773 ± 0.4565 pg/mL, P = .0037; CXCL7: 664.3 ± 73.19 pg/mL vs 431.1 ± 90.54 pg/mL, P = .0118). Increased CCL24 and CXCL7 expression was seen throughout all neurosyphilis stages, had moderate diagnostic efficiency for neurosyphilis, and correlated poorly with CSF cell count and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory titer. CSF CCL24 levels also correlated poorly with CSF protein concentration., Conclusion: Abnormally high CSF chemokines levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurosyphilis., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

A novel Se-annulated perylene diimide derivative tethered with polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles (POSS-2SePDI-POSS) was designed and prepared. The introduction of selenium atoms endows POSS-2SePDI-POSS with significant fluorescence quenching but enhanced excited-state absorption. As a result, POSS-2SePDI-POSS exhibits a distinct reverse saturable absorption characteristic, suggesting its potential application in optical limiting.

Seven Cu(II) complexes with 5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline derivatives as ligands: [Cu 2 (L 1 ) 2 Cl 4 ] (1), [Cu(L 2 )Cl 2 ] (2), [Cu(L 1 )(NO 3 ) 2 ] (3), [Cu(L 2 )(NO 3 ) 2 ] (4), [Cu(L 3 )Cl 2 ] (5), [Cu(L 3 )Br 2 ] (6) and [Cu(L 3 )(NO 3 ) 2 ] (7){L 1 =9-nitro-5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline, L 2 =4-nitro-5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline, L 3 =9-bromo-5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline}, were synthesized and characterized. Their in vitro anticancer activities against T-24, MGC-80-3, HeLa, Hep-G2, A549 and SK-OV-3 were evaluated. Compared with their corresponding ligands, most of these complexes exhibited enhanced anticancer activities in contrast to their corresponding ligands and copper salt. Among them, complexes 1 and 3 displayed selective cytotoxicity to HeLa cells comparing with normal liver cell HL-7702, with IC 50 values of 5.03 ± 1.20 μM and 10.05 ± 0.52 μM, respectively. Complexes 1 and 3 inhibited telomerase activity by interacting with c-myc promoter elements, and therefore exerted their antitumor activity. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 3 could trigger cell apoptosis via disruption of mitochondrial pathway through notably increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ m ), increase of the cytochrome c and apaf-1, decrease of bcl-2, and activation of caspases 3/9. Complexes 1 and 3 exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity, presenting synergetic effect after the ligands coordinated to copper(II) center., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with different neurological diseases. Since alternations of miRNAs in neurosyphilis are insufficiently investigated, we analysed miRNAs in the CSF of patients suffering from neurosyphilis., Methods: Exosomes were isolated from serum and CSF. Levels of 44 miRNAs were determined using quantitative real-time PCR-based miRNA array., Results: In patients with neurosyphilis (NSP), miR-590-5p, miR-570-3p and miR-570-5p were upregulated in the CSF and serum, when compared with patients with syphilis without neurosyphilis (SP). miR-590-5p and miR-570-3p were significantly upregulated (p<0.001). The expression of miR-21-5p was upregulated only in the CSF of NSP. Significant downregulation was observed for miR-93-3p in the CSF and serum of NSP. No statistical difference was found in the expression of miR-7-5p, miR-1307-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-16, miR-23b-3p and miR-27b-5p in the CSF and serum of NSP and SP., Conclusion: For the first time, regulation profiles in miRNA in the CSF and serum were analysed in NSP. We found significant differences in upregulation and downregulation. Therefore, miRNAs may be potential biomarkers for the presence of neurosyphilis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

A two-dimensional (2D) Co-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with porphyrinic skeleton forms crystalline plates, flower-shaped clusters, and ultrathin films under optimized conditions, including the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a surfactant. Ultrathin films demonstrate the best solution-based third-order nonlinear optical properties, featuring a nonlinear transmittance (T) value of 0.54, absorption coefficient (α2) of 9.5 × 10-10 m W-1 and second hyperpolarizability (γ) value of 1.37 × 10-28 esu, which are slightly better than those of the flower-shaped clusters (T = 0.65, α2 = 7.0 × 10-10 m W-1; γ = 1.27 × 10-28 esu), but marginally better than those of the crystalline thin plates (T = 0.94, α2 = 2.4 × 10-10 m W-1; γ = 0.24 × 10-28 esu).

A novel perylene diimide derivative equipped with polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane nanocages (POSS-AMPDI) was designed and synthesized for application in optical limiting. Moreover, due to the dual mechanisms of POSS collapse and intermolecular proton transfer, POSS-AMPDI exhibits high sensitivity and rapid selectivity to fluoride ions, with a detection limit as low as 1.64 × 10-8 M.

Reaction of [Et4N][Tp*WS3] (1) with [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6, CsCl, isonicotinic acid and CuCN, and treatment of [Et4N][Tp*WS3(CuCl)3] (2)/[Et4N][{Tp*WS3Cu3Cl}2(μ-Cl)2(μ4-Cl)] (3) with AgOTf and bpp (Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; bpp = 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane) give rise to [Et4N]2[{Tp*WS3Cu3(CN)0.5}2(μ-Cl)2(μ4-Cl)]2(PF6)2 (4) and [(Tp*WS3Cu3)2(μ3-Cl)2(bpp)3]2(OTf)4 (5), respectively. Compounds 4 and 5 feature cluster-based rectangle and [2]catenane architecture, and both exhibit enhanced third-order nonlinear optical responses relative to those of 1.

This study was conducted to monitor the densities of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 300 samples of nine shellfish species harvested from the coasts of the South Yellow Sea and the East China Sea (N 23° to 34°, E 116° to 124°), People's Republic of China, between May and October 2015. Total V. parahaemolyticus densities were measured, and V. parahaemolyticus isolates were biochemically identified with probes for the thermostable direct hemolysin gene (tdh) and the thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin gene (trh). We found that 202 of the 300 samples were positive for V. parahaemolyticus from all the sites: 58 of the 100 samples from the Fujian province, 71 of the 100 samples from the Zhejiang province, and 73 of the 100 samples from the Jiangsu province. In most (170) of the 300 samples, V. parahaemolyticus densities were 0.3 to 10 most probable number (MPN)/g; five lots exceeded 110 MPN/g, and two lots were estimated at 110 MPN/g. Among the 202 V. parahaemolyticus strains, only one was trh positive. Densities of V. parahaemolyticus in these shellfish were temperature dependent, with highest densities in June and July. Among the nine mollusk species, V. parahaemolyticus was most abundant in the agemaki clam (Sinonovacula constricta). The highest and lowest V. parahaemolyticus prevalences were found in oriental cyclina (Cyclina sinensis, 93.8%) and mussels (Mytilus edulis, 28.1%), respectively. Overall, although V. parahaemolyticus is widely distributed in marine environments, the density of V. parahaemolyticus was low and the prevalence of the main virulence factor was very low in shellfish along the coasts of the South Yellow Sea and East China Sea, which is important from a public health perspective. Data presented here will be useful for correlational research and can be utilized for developing risk management plans that establish food safety guidelines for V. parahaemolyticus in Chinese shellfish., (Copyright ©, International Association for Food Protection.)

Marine fish shows high heterogeneity in spatial aggregation. We analyzed the inter-deca-dal variations of stock density for Trichiurus japonicus in East China Sea (ECS) using geo-statistical approaches such as spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis, based on the data of T. japonicus from both bottom trawl fishery and research surveys in the open waters of ECS during 1971 to 2011, combined with the sea surface temperature (SST) and surface salinity data in the PN section in August. The global spatial autocorrelation statistics showed that Moran's I firstly decreased and then went up, indicating that the spatial aggregation patterns of T. japonicus was weakened in the beginning and then increased during 1971 to 2011. The surface salinity in the PN section displayed the opposite trend during the same period. The local spatial autocorrelation statistics showed that the population firstly moved to the southern ECS and then to the northern ECS except in 1971 in which the population concentrated in the middle of ECS because of the restriction of offshore fishing ground. The movement of hotspot areas of T. japonicus adaptively varied with the first EOF mode of SST in summer (sumEOF1), which indicated that the hotspot areas first moved southeastward with decreasing sumEOF1, and moved northeastward with increasing sumEOF1, but all of the hotspot areas were close to the northward branch of the Kuroshio Current.

Objective: To explore the effects of roxithromycin (RXM) on glucocorticoid resistance of human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to smoke and its mechanism. Methods: Beas-2B cells as the research object were grouped into: control group, 10%cigarette smoke extract (CSE) group, roxithromycin (RXM)+ 10%CSE group. With 10%CSE intervention in the 10%CSE group, 10%CSE and RXM intervention in the RXM+ 10%CSE group, complete culture solution intervention in the control group. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IL-8 inhibition rate and dexamethasone half inhibitory concentration (IC50-Dex) were calculated; the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) protein was detected by immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blotting (WB). Results: In response to dexamethasone at the concentration of 10(-9,) 10(-8,) 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/L successively, the IL-8 inhibition rates of RXM+ 10%CSE group [(27.55±3.81)%, (49.60±1.45)%, (55.36±3.36)%, (60.32±3.13)%, respectively] were lower than those of control group [(32.85±2.56)%, (57.12±2.81)%, (60.81±2.08)%, (67.24±3.50)%, respectively], but higher than those of 10%CSE group [(19.15±1.69)%, (37.02±2.30)%, (47.15±2.01)%, (52.09±1.57)%, respectively] (all P <0.05). In contrast, the IC50-Dex of RXM+ 10%CSE group [(4.94±1.62)×10(-8)] was significantly higher than that of control group [(1.75±0.77)×10(-8)], but lower than that of 10%CSE group [(2.92±0.78)×10(-7)] (both P <0.01). The expression of HDAC2 protein of 10%CSE group (0.011±0.004 from IF and 0.46±0.10 from WB) was lower than that of control group (0.037±0.005 and 0.91±0.06, correspondingly), while RXM+ 10%CSE group (0.025±0.005 and 0.77±0.09, correspondingly) was lower than that of control group but higher than that of 10%CSE group (all P <0.05). Conclusion: Roxithromycin may restrain tobacco smoke exposure-induced glucocorticoid resistance in human bronchial epithelial cells through upregulating HDAC2 expression.

The diagnostic value and suitability of circulating miRNAs for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma have been inconsistent in the literature. A meta-analysis is used to systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs. Eligible studies were selected and the heterogeneity was assessed by subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias. After strictly and comprehensive screening, the source methods, internal reference and the cut-off values of the included miRNAs were first listed. Circulating miRNAs demonstrated a relatively good diagnostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma, In the subgroup analysis, diagnosis odds ratio showed a higher accuracy with multiple miRNAs than with a single miRNA as well as with serum types than plasma types. In addition, although miRNAs have many expression patterns, the high frequency expression miRNAs (miR-21, miR-199 and miR-122) might be more specific for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.The sources of heterogeneity might be related to the number of miRNAs and the specimen types in meta-regression. Furthermore, it's surprised that the pooled studies were first demonstrated publication bias ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, multiple miRNAs in serum have a better diagnostic value, and the publication bias was stable. To validate the potential applicability of miRNAs in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these conclusions., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declare that they have no existing conflict of interest.

Accuracy estimation of oceanic primary productivity is of great significance in the assessment and management of fisheries resources, marine ecology systems, global change and other fields. The traditional measurement and estimation of oceanic primary productivity has to rely on in situ sample data by vessels. Satellite remote sensing has advantages of providing dynamic and eco-environmental parameters of ocean surface at large scale in real time. Thus, satellite remote sensing has increasingly become an important means for oceanic primary productivity estimation on large spatio-temporal scale. Combining with the development of ocean color sensors, the models to estimate the oceanic primary productivity by satellite remote sensing have been developed that could be mainly summarized as chlorophyll-based, carbon-based and phytoplankton absorption-based approach. The flexibility and complexity of the three kinds of models were presented in the paper. On this basis, the current research status for global estimation of oceanic primary productivity was analyzed and evaluated. In view of these, four research fields needed to be strengthened in further stu-dy: 1) Global oceanic primary productivity estimation should be segmented and studied, 2) to dee-pen the research on absorption coefficient of phytoplankton, 3) to enhance the technology of ocea-nic remote sensing, 4) to improve the in situ measurement of primary productivity.

Objective: To investigate the bacterial pathogenic characteristics of respiratory tract infection in children., Methods: The medical data from 14,994 children with respiratory tract infection who were hospitalized in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University between November 2005 and October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Among the 14,994 sputum samples from the children with respiratory tract infection, 3,947 (26.32%) had a positive bacterial culture. The most common bacterial pathogen was Streptococcus pneumonia (12.79%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (5.02%) and Moraxella catarrhalis (2.91%). The bacterial detection rates differed significantly in different years and seasons and children of different ages (P<0.01). The children who had not taken antibacterial agents before admission had a significantly higher positive bacterial culture rate than those who had taken antibacterial agents (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the bacterial detection rate among the children with different course of disease (<1 month, 1-3 months and >3 months) (P<0.05). The detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Moraxella catarrhalis and Acinetobacter baumannii showed an increased trend with a prolonged disease course (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumonia is the most common bacterial pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in children, followed by Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The detection rate of bacterial pathogens varies in different years and seasons and children of different ages. The course of the disease and application of antibacterial agents outside hospital can affect the detection rate of bacterial pathogens in children with respiratory tract infection.

The purpose of this study is to explore the associations between soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) and cytokines, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings. Thirty-two children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia diagnosed by both positive serology and PCR were admitted to Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University. These children were enrolled and evaluated from May 2012 through September 2012. Soluble B7-H3 level and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Meanwhile, clinical parameters including laboratory findings were obtained. Soluble B7-H3 level was significantly increased in patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia compared with the levels of sB7-H3 in control subjects (4.94 ± 2.69 vs. 3.42 ± 1.48, ng/mL; P = 0.032). Furthermore, level of sB7-H3 was correlated with TNF-α level in plasma in patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia (rp = 0.667; P < 0.001) as well as level of sB7-H3 in M. pneumoniae pneumonia subjects was also correlated with duration of symptoms (rp = 0.607; P < 0.001), percentage of neutrophil cells (rp = 0.657; P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein level (rs = 0.445; P = 0.011). Level of sB7-H3 was decreased after treatment (6.08 ± 3.07 vs. 3.55 ± 1.58, ng/mL; P = 0.019). Soluble B7-H3 maybe plays an important role in immunopathogenesis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, especially for increasing TNF-α concentration and activation neutrophils., (© 2013.)

Objective: To investigate the analgesic and sedative effects of inhaling a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen on burn patient during and after dressing change., Methods: A total of 240 burn patients hospitalized in the Institute of Burn Research of Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University, Department of Burns of the First People's Hospital in Zhengzhou, and Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2011 to September 2012 were enrolled in our study, and they were all in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The 240 patients were divided into control group (n = 60, treated with inhalation of oxygen during dressing change) and treatment group (n = 180, treated with inhalation of a mixture of 65% nitrous oxide and oxygen during dressing change) according to the computer-generated list of random number. The other treatments in control group and treatment group were the same. Before, during, and after dressing change, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), oxygen saturation (SO2), and adverse effects were observed. The degree of pain and anxiety felt by the patients were respectively evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Chinese version of the burn specific pain anxiety scale (C-BSPAS) at the same time points as above. Data were processed with analysis of covariance, chi-square test, analysis of variance, and rank sum test., Results: There were no significant differences between control group and treatment group in the levels of HR, SBP, DBP, and SO2 before dressing change (with F values respectively 0.76, 0.06, 1.11, 0.70, P values all above 0.05). Compared with those of control group, the levels of HR, SBP, DBP, and SO2 in treatment group were significantly ameliorated during dressing change (with F values respectively 81.78, 146.36, 226.44, 205.62, P values all below 0.01). After dressing change, the levels of DBP in the two groups were close (F = 0.31, P > 0.05), but the levels of HR, SBP, and SO2 showed statistical differences (with F values respectively 7.02, 8.69, 12.23, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Before dressing change, the VAS scores were approximate between control group and treatment group (Z = 0.21, P > 0.05). Compared with those in control group (9.4 ± 0.7, 1.7 ± 2.5), the VAS scores were significantly lowered in treatment group during and after dressing change (1.6 ± 1.3, 0.7 ± 1.1, with Z values respectively 11.84, 3.35, P values all below 0.01). There was no significant difference in C-BSPAS score between control group and treatment group before dressing change (Z = 0.62, P > 0.05). Compared with those in control group (75 ± 13, 73 ± 12), the C-BSPAS scores in treatment group were decreased during and after dressing change (9 ± 15, 9 ± 14, with Z values respectively 11.91, 12.28, P values all below 0.01). There were no obvious adverse effects in two groups before, during, and after dressing change., Conclusions: A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen seems to have obvious analgesic and sedative effects on burn patients during dressing change, and it can be widely used.

Background: B7 molecules play a key role in regulating allergen-induced T cell activation in asthma, which may occur through T cell recruitment and T helper cell differentiation on allergen provocation. Initial studies have shown that B7-H3 (CD276), a recently identified B7 family member, plays a critical role in the development of Th2 cells., Objective: To investigate the effects of anti-B7-H3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a mouse model of allergic asthma., Methods: The asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenging in female BALB/c mice. Total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined, and the expression levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-17 in BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pulmonary eosinophil infiltration and mucus production were detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), respectively. B7-H3 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in frozen tissue sections., Results: Anti-B7-H3 mAb treatment alleviated the asthmatic syndrome, decreased the levels of B7-H3-positive cells in the lung tissues, abrogated hypercellularity, eosinophil infiltration, and mucus production, and inhibited IL-4 and IL-17 production in BALF at the induction phase as compared with the immunoglobulin G (IgG) control group (P < .01). In addition, the treatment of anti-B7-H3 mAb at the induction phase could increase the expression levels of IFN-γ as compared with the IgG control group (P < .01). Anti-B7-H3 mAb treatment at the effector phase did not inhibit the asthma response., Conclusion: Blockade of B7-H3 signals may provide a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of allergic asthma., (Copyright © 2013 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To elucidate the etiology of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in hospitalized children in Suzhou from 2005 to 2011., Methods: A total of 10 243 hospitalized children with ARI in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from September 2005 to October 2011 were enrolled in the study. The clinical information was collected; and the nasopharyngeal aspiration fluid and serum samples were sent for multi-pathogen detection. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus type A and B (IV-A, IV-B), parainfluenza virus type 1-3 (PIV-1-PIV-3) and adenovirus (ADV) were detected by direct immunofluorescence assay. Human bocavirus (HBoV), mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR while human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Sputum culture was applied to detect bacterial infection and quantitative ELISA was adopted to detect the specific antibodies of MP and CP. The results of the above detections were analyzed, and thereby to explore the prevalent pathogens among different aging children and the seasonal distribution and characteristics of the disease., Results: At least one type of pathogen was detected in 5871 out of 10 243 hospitalized children and the overall positive rate was 57.32%; including 3326 virus samples with positive rate at 32.47% (3326/10 243), 2870 bacteria samples with positive rate at 28.02% (2870/10 243) and 2759 atypical pathogen samples,with positive rate at 26.94% (2759/10 243). MP was the most common pathogen,whose detected rate was 25.74% (2637/10 243). The median age of children with RSV (6 months) or PIV-3(8 months) infection was younger than the median age of all hospitalized children (12 months) (χ(2) = 380.992, 34.826, P < 0.05). While the median age of children with ADV (42 months), HBoV (14 months) or IV-A (24 months) infection was older than it of all hospitalized children (χ(2) = 83.583, 13.169, 18.012, P < 0.05). The median age of children with MP (30 months),streptococcus pneumoniae (17 months) or haemophilus parainfluenzae (21 months) infection was older than it of all hospitalized children (χ(2) = 728.299, 60.463, 8.803, P < 0.05). The detected rate of RSV in the groups of children aging less than 6 months, 7-12 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years and over 6 years was separately 25.59% (840/3283), 17.05% (333/1953), 11.85% (310/2615), 6.68% (90/1347), and 2.87% (30/1045); which decreased while the age grew (χ(2) = 178.46, P < 0.01). Conversely, the positive rate of MP increased with the age growing (χ(2) = 379.21, P < 0.01). The rate in the above groups was 8.25% (271/3283), 19.46% (380/1953), 33.00% (863/2615), 41.43% (558/1347), 54.07% (565/1045), respectively. RSV and IV-A were prevalent in winter, whose detected rates were 35.73% (941/2634) and 4.44% (117/2634) respectively.hMPV infection was common in spring, with the detected rate at 10.55% (278/2634); while HBoV infection was common in summer and autumn, with the positive rate at 9.99% (149/1491) and 9.71% (98/1009). MP and CP were frequently detected in summer, up to 31.27% (819/2619) and 10.07% (43/427) respectively. RSV was the most common pathogen in bronchiolitis (33.27% (866/2603)) and MP was the most common pathogen in bronchopneumonia (26.05% (1152/4422)) and lober pneumonia (52.25% (267/511))., Conclusion: MP and RSV were the most common pathogens in respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children. The novel virus included hMPV and HBoV, which also played an important role in ARI. Different pathogens were prevalent in different ages; with respective seasonal distribution and characteristics.

Pneumonia in children is common and can lead to grave consequences if not addressed in a proper and timely manner. In the management of pneumonia, early identification of the causative infective agent is of obvious importance for treatment, as it allows selection of the appropriate antibiotics. However, such identification requires laboratory test results, which may not be immediately available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of 13 markers in differentiating between viral and bacterial pneumonia in Han children (34 healthy controls and 78 patients). It was found that WBC counts were more accurate in diagnosis of the type of agent responsible for infection than was the degree of expression of HMGB1. Among the 13 markers investigated, HMGB1 was the best at discriminating between co-infected (bacterium and virus) and single-infected (bacterium or virus) children with bronchial pneumonia. HMGB1 expression of less than 1.0256, excluded most co-infections (the negative predictive value was greater than 89.7%). Diagnosed sole viral pneumonia clinically overlapped with bacterial pneumonia, but bacterial pneumonia was more often associated with higher white blood cell (WBC) counts (WBC ≥ 13,000 cells/mm(3)). When the two marker readouts--HMGB1 < 1.0256 and WBC ≥ 13,000 cells/mm(3)--were combined, the positive predictive value for bacterial pneumonia alone was 92.3%. These findings can help clinicians discriminate between bronchial pneumonia caused by virus, bacterium or both with a high specificity., (© 2011 The Societies and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

The most important animal reservoirs of Schistosoma japonicum in China are bovines. Diagnosis and control of bovine schistosomiasis is critical for reducing the prevalence of the disease. We screened defined diagnostic antigens that have the potential to increase the sensitivity and specificity of serological assays and to distinguish between active and prior infections. Five recombinant proteins with the potential to be diagnostic antigens were compared to the native soluble egg antigen preparation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We evaluated the potentials of the recombinant proteins for discriminating active from prior infections, as well as the therapeutic efficacy of the established ELISA technique.

Objective: To evaluate clinical effect of new method of percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation in treating Bennett's fracture., Methods: Thirteen patients with Bennett's fracture were treated with close reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation. There were male 8 cases and female 5 cases with an average age of 32 years (range from 20 to 45 years). The mean time from injury to operation was 4.3 days (range from 2 to 7 days). External fixation with plaster slab was applied after operation with an average of 35 days (range from 30 to 41 days). The reduction of articular surface, symptom of ache and function of thumb after operation were evaluated., Results: All the patients were followed up with an average of 6.4 months (range from 4 to 9 months). All fractures united and the articular surfaces were reduced well. Only 1 case has mild pain when activity. The grasp force decreased in all patients., Conclusion: Close reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation has advantage such as simply operation, precisely fixation, high potency ratio. The method especially fits Bennett's fracture with small triangular fragment.

Based on the catch amount data of Chinese squid jigger vessels from January to July 2006 and the sea current, sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) data derived from satellites, the characteristics of Illex argentinus fishing grounds, their productivity, and environment factors in southwest Atlantic were analyzed. There were two main I. argentinus fishing grounds in southwest Atlantic, one in its south part (60 degrees 30' W, 45 degrees 30' S) and the other in the north part (58 degrees 00' W, 42 degrees 00' S). From January to July, the main fishing grounds migrated from south to north. The productivity fluctuated notably in different months, being higher from January to April and the highest in March. After May, the productivity decreased gradually. The locations of the fishing grounds had close relationships with Falkland cold current. North fishing ground located at the main axis of the current, with a current speed of about 28-60 cm x s(-1); and south fishing ground located at the west of the current, with a small scale anticyclone and a current speed of about 5-32 cm x s(-1). The favorable SST in the fishing grounds was 7 degrees C-15 degrees C, with a favorite SST of 12 degrees C, and the favorable chl-a concentration was 0.4-1.5 mg x m(-3), with a favorite chl-a concentration of 0.9-1.2 mg x m(-3). A significant positive relationship was observed between I. argentinus productivity and chl-a concentration (P < 0.05).

Substituted 2,4-diaminopteridine derivatives 10a-10l were prepared in moderate to good yield. Their structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR and MS spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. Their inhibitory properties against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were evaluated in vitro. Biological tests indicated that compound 10a, 10d, 10e, 10h, 10i, and 10l showed potent inhibitory activities similar to that of methotrexate (MTX), while the activities of compound 10b, 10c, 10f, 10g, 10j, and 10k are stronger than MTX. Two compounds, i. e., 10b (IC(50 )= 18.85 microM) and 10i (IC(50) = 24.08 microM) were further studied for their effect on septic shock in rats and immunologically liver injured mice (in vivo). The results demonstrated that 10b and 10i had the capacity to increase the blood pressure in septic shock and showed notable protective activities on immunological hepatic injury.

Objective: Allergic asthma is thought to be mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes producing the Th2-associated cytokines, which play a critical role in the development of the airway hyper-responsiveness and the eosinophilic inflammatory response. The costimulatory pathway CD28/B7 has been shown to play an important role in CD4+ T cell activation in allergic asthma. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of another costimulatory pathway OX40/OX40 ligand (L) in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in BALB/c mice., Methods: An allergic asthma model in BALB/c mice was established. Thirty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups with 12 in each. Mice in treatment group (group B) were treated with neutralizing anti-OX40L monoclonal antibody (mAb, 300 microg per mouse) during the sensitization period. Mice in two control groups, asthma model group (group A) and IgG antibody group (group C) were treated with normal saline (NS) and control IgG respectively instead of anti-OX40L mAb. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from the mice of each group for counting the total number of white blood cells (including neutrophil granulocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil granulocyte) and the proportions of these cells. The levels of IL-4 and INF-gamma in BALF were measured by ELISA. Lungs were removed for morphological examination after HE and PAS staining, and expression of OX40 in lungs was evaluated by immunohistochemical method., Results: (1) The count of total number of white blood cells in BALF (x10(6)/ml) was lower in group B than that of group A and group C (26.6 +/- 4.6 vs. 36.8 +/- 5.2 and 34.3 +/- 6.9, respectively), the difference between the treatment group (group B) and two control groups (groups A and C) was significant; The proportions of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the BALF (%) were lower in group B than those in group A and group C (eosinophils 15.1 +/- 2.6 vs. 20.0 +/- 4.1 and 19.9 +/- 3.9, respectively; lymphocytes 7.0 +/- 0.9 vs. 8.9 +/- 1.6 and 8.6 +/- 1.8, respectively), the difference between the treatment group and two control groups was significant. (2) The IL-4 level in BALF (pg/ml) was lower in group B than that in group A and group C (672 +/- 58 vs. 809.57 +/- 106.00 and 784 +/- 58, respectively), but the INF-gamma levels in BALF (pg/ml) were higher than those in group A and group C (0.86 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.15 and 0.67 +/- 0.13 respectively), and all the differences were statistically significant. (3) The expression of OX40 in the lungs of mice in group B were at a lower level than that of group A and group C, and the morphological changes of asthma were ameliorated in the mice of the treatment group. The signs of mice in treatment group were obviously ameliorated as compared to the two control groups., Conclusion: Blocking the costimulatory pathway by administering the neutralizing anti-OX40L mAb during the sensitization period of allergic asthma model could balance the Th1/Th2 responses, inhibit lung inflammation and ameliorate the signs of mice model of asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of anti-psoriatic drug fumaric acid esters (FAE) on the differentiation of dendritic cells (DC). METHODS: Dendritic cells were obtained by differentiating human monocytes in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the effect of FAE on cell surface expression of CD1a, CD14, CD40, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC). Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was made to demonstrate the influence of FAE on T cell stimulatory activity of MoDC. RESULTS: Dimethylfumarate and methylhydrogenfumarate-calcium-salt (0.01 approximate, equals 100 mg/L) inhibited MoDC differentiation as well as reducing the capacity of MoDC to stimulate lymphocytic proliferation in MLR. CONCLUSION: The mode of action of FAE in pso riasis may be mediated by inhibition of DC differentiation.

Aim: To investigate the role of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and its analogues tacalcitol and 24, 25(OH)2D3 on the phagocytosis of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC)., Methods: MoDC were generated in vitro by differentiating monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 5 days. Expression of mannose receptor (MR) and Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma Rs) by MoDC was analysed by flow cytometry. Zymosan ingestion was measured to assess the phagocytosis of MoDC., Results: MoDC expressed high level of MR and Fc gamma Rs and showed the capacity of zymosan ingestion. Calcitriol and tacalcitol but no 24, 25(OH)2D3 not only upregulated the expression of MR and Fc gamma Rs on MoDC but also correspondingly enhanced their phagocytosis by increasing zymoasan ingestion. Furthermore, the upregulatory role occurred in the early stage of MoDC differentiation and was irreversible. The upregulatory role of calcitriol was dose dependent., Conclusion: Calcitriol and its analogue tacalcitol may play an important role in dendritic cell binding and capturing foreign antigens at the initiation of immune response.