Effect of ultrasonic vibration on forming force and forming quality in micro-punching with a flexible punch.

In this paper, a special ultrasonic microforming method, Micro Ultrasonic thin Sheetmetal Forming using molten plastic as a flexible punch (short as Micro-USF), was used to conduct micro-punching experiments on stainless steel sheet with thickness of 10 μm and 20 μm. The influence of ultrasonic vibration on forming force and forming quality were investigated. The experimental results showed that the forming force required for punching thin sheet metal decreased gradually as the ultrasonic time or ultrasonic power increased.

Gata2-L359V impairs primitive and definitive hematopoiesis and blocks cell differentiation in murine chronic myelogenous leukemia model.

GATA2, a key transcription factor in hematopoiesis, is frequently mutated in hematopoietic malignancies. How the GATA2 mutants contribute to hematopoiesis and malignant transformation remains largely unexplored. Here, we report that Gata2-L359V mutation impeded hematopoietic differentiation in murine embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and blocked murine chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell differentiation.

[New effect of G-protein coupled receptors on blood pressure regulation].

Hypertension is a clinical syndrome characterized by elevated systemic arterial blood pressure, which may be accompanied by functional or organic damage of heart, brain, kidney and other organs. The pathogenesis and development of hypertension are affected by genetic, environmental, epigenetic, intestinal microbiota and other factors. They are the result of multiple factors that promote the change of blood pressure level and vascular resistance.

In situ resuspension rate monitoring method in the littoral zone with multi-ecotypes of a shallow wind-disturbed lake.

Sediment resuspension has been recognized as a crucial internal process in aquatic ecosystems. However, there is still a lack of reliable measuring methods due to the complex hydrodynamic conditions in large shallow eutrophic lakes. In this study, sequential sediment traps (SST) and instantaneous multiple point (IMP) methods were compared at 6 sites located in the littoral zone of Zhushan Bay in Lake Taihu.

[Effect of Nutrient Loadings on the Regulation of Water Nitrogen and Phosphorus by and Its Photosynthetic Fluorescence Characteristics].

Submerged macrophytes are an important component of aquatic ecosystems. During the growing period, submerged macrophytes can absorb nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients to reduce pollution loadings. Shoots of submerged macrophytes can also promote the adhesion of suspended substances in water, reducing the turbidity.

[Deposition Characteristics of Suspended Solids and the Response of Dissolved Nutrients in Spring in the Western Lakeside of Taihu Lake].

To reveal the spatiotemporal characteristics of nutrients in the deposition process of suspended solids in lakeside zone, deposition tests were performed in the western lakeside of Taihu Lake,and the contents of TP,TN,NH-N and NO-N were measured and analyzed.The results showed that the deposition fluxes in the western lakeside of Taihu Lake ranked as follows:artificial reed areas >non-vegetation nearshore areas >natural reed areas >non-vegetation offshore areas,with their average values of (1383.40±925.

Des-aspartate-angiotensin I causes specific release of PGE2 and PGI2 in HUVEC via the angiotensin AT1 receptor and biased agonism.

DAA-I (des-aspartate-angiotensin I), an endogenous angiotensin, had been shown earlier to ameliorate animal models of cardiovascular diseases via the angiotensin AT1 receptor and prostaglandins. The present study investigated further the action of DAA-I on the release of PGE2, PGI2, PGF2α and TXA2 in HUVEC. 10(-11)-10(-8)M DAA-I and 15min incubation specifically released PGE2 and PGI2.

Tryptase and protease-activated receptor-2 stimulate scratching behavior in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced atopic-like dermatitis.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the involvement of tryptase and protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in the pathogenesis of itch using a recently developed murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) elicited by epicutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). We also examined whether tacrolimus exerts an antipruritic effect. Epicutaneous sensitization of BALB/c mice with OVA led to a significant increase in the number of scratches.

Cryptococcosis in kidney transplant recipients in a Chinese university hospital and a review of published cases.

Background: Cryptococcosis is a severe fungal infection with a high mortality rate among solid-organ transplant recipients. Today, China is among the countries performing the most kidney transplants worldwide, however data on the association of cryptococcosis with kidney transplantation in mainland China remain scarce and fragmented.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of culture-confirmed cryptococcosis following kidney transplantation that have occurred at our hospital and reviewed the published cases in China over the last 30 years.

Comparison of clinical features in patients with persistent and nonpersistent cryptococcal meningitis: twelve years of clinical experience in four centers in China.

Background And Aims: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) has gradually increased in the recent 20 years in the whole world. Although the mortality decreased significantly in recent years, it was still high, especially in patients with persistent infection. Therefore, we compare differences of clinical features between persistent and nonpersistent CM patients.

Association of vitamin D receptor FokI and ApaI polymorphisms with human cytomegalovirus disease in the first three months following kidney transplantation.

Background: Untreated human cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease (CMVD) is an identified risk factor for reduced rates of patient (and graft) survival, death or retransplantation in kidney transplant recipients due to increased immunological tolerance after transplant. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have an obvious relationship with autoimmune diseases but the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and CMVD are not well understood. This study investigated the relationship between VDR FokI and ApaI gene polymorphisms and CMVD, and their value for predicting risk of CMVD.

Disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis with negative latex agglutination test.

We reported an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy, which were the only two symptoms and signs. Latex agglutination test of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were negative, while lymph node biopsy showed Cryptococcus neoformans. A diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis was made.

[Identification and functional study of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) regulatory B cell in kidney transplantation recipients].

Objective: To observe the ratio of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B cell in the peripheral blood of kidney transplantation recipients and elucidate its functions.

Methods: From December 2009 to June 2010, a total of 35 pairs of kidney transplant recipients were selected and divided into 3 groups: healthy donors as control (n = 35), pre-transplantation (n = 35) and post-transplantation (n = 35). The profiles of Tim-1(+)CD19(+) B cell in kidney transplantation donors and recipients were analyzed and sorted by flow cytometry (FCM).

Xiaoyin recipe ( ) for psoriasis induces a Th1/Th2 balance drift toward Th2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis rats.

Objective: To explore the regulatory mechanism of Xiaoyin Recipe () on the T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) immune balance.

Methods: Thirty-six experimental animals were divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group: blank control group (B group), negative control group (N group), and Xiaoyin Recipe treatment group (T group). The latter two groups received immunization of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), and T group were treated with Xiaoyin Recipe for a month.

[Up-regulation of the sHLA-G5 level by human-mouse chimeric anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibody treatment in kidney transplantation].

Objective: To find whether the up-regulation of soluble human leucocyte antigen-G5 (sHLA-G5) levels is a new function mechanism of anti-interleukin-2 receptors (anti-IL-2R) monoclonal antibody treatment in kidney transplantation.

Methods: A total of 215 recipients at our centre from January 2006 to December 2007 were divided into antibody use group (n = 141) and antibody non-use group (n = 74) and another healthy group (n = 69). The sHLA-G5 level in peripheral blood was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

[Applications of monitoring human leukocyte antigen G and its inhibitory receptors in post-renal transplantation].

Objective: to study the feasibility of human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) as a post-transplantation prognostic biomarker and discuss the correlation of its receptor expression and the mechanisms.

Methods: a total of 215 recipients in our centre from February 2006 to June 2008 were divided into stable kidney function group (n = 173) and acute rejection group (n = 42). The soluble human leucocyte antigen-G5 (sHLA-G5) level in peripheral plasma was detected by ELISA.

[The application of quantitative detection of cystatin C in evaluation of renal function after renal transplantation].

Aim: To establish ELISA method for quantitate the concentration of cystatin C (cys C) and to monitor the renal function of patients before and after renal transplantation.

Methods: Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human cys C were produced and sandwich ELISA kit for quantitatively detecting cys C was established. Then the concentrations of serum cystatin C (Scys C) and urine cystatin C (Ucys C) from normal controls and 23 patients undergoing renal transplantation were detected and their relationship with serum creatinine (SCR) was analyzed.

[Expression of human leucocyte antigen G in peripheral blood of kidney transplantation recipients].

Objective: To investigate the expression of non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I molecule, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) G, including membrane-bound HLA-G (mHLA-G), intracellular HLA-G (iHLA-G) and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G), in peripheral blood of surviving kidney transplantation recipients and understand the relevance between HLA-G and the function of transplanted organ, as well as the onset of acute rejection.

Methods: A longitudinal study was performed on 175 kidney transplantation recipients. Three groups were involved in this study, including acute rejection group (n = 36), function stable group (n = 139) and healthy control group (n = 30).

Hypoglycemic action of chicken meat extract in type-2 diabetic KKAy mice and GK rats.

This study researched the effects of chicken meat extract on blood glucose and insulin level, membrane glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), and tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in type 2 diabetic KKAy mice and GK rats. Eight-week-old KKAy mice and GK rats and euglycemic control animals, C57BL/6J mice and Wistar rats, were orally administered a liquid commercial chicken meat extract, BRAND'S Essence of Chicken (BEC), for up to 8 weeks. BEC (1.

De novo urothelial carcinoma in kidney transplantation patients with end-stage aristolochic acid nephropathy in China.

Introduction: Aristolochic acid contained in Chinese herbs has been proved to be nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. Immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of developing malignancies. What will be the result if these two significant risk factors are concomitantly present in transplanted patients with aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN)?

Patients And Methods: A 2-center cohort of 1,612 renal transplant recipients was studied retrospectively from January 1998 to December 2006.

[Effect of xiaoyin recipe in treatment of psoriasis patients of blood-heat syndrome type and its impact on peripheral Th1/Th2 equilibrium].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Chinese medicinal therapy for cooling blood and removing stasis (CBRS) in treating psoriasis of blood-heat syndrome type by observing its clinical efficacy and impact on serum level of cytokines.

Methods: Changes of psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, scores of syndrome and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha, Th1 cytokine) and interleukin-10 (IL-10, Th2 cytokine) in 32 psoriatic patients before and after treatment were observed.

Results: The total effective rate after 4 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks of treatment was 65.

[Impact of the method of cooling blood to remove stasis on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis].

Objective: To explore the effects of Liangxue Huayu therapy (LXHYT), a traditional Chinese herbal therapy for cooling blood and dissipating blood stasis, on rat model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) and its impact on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated EAT group, cyclosporine A (CyA)-treated group, Tripterygium glycosides-treated group and Liangxue Huayu Recipe (LXHYR)-treated group. The interventions were given by gavage to the rats in different groups once a day.