Sorting Research Articles

Mechanism of MOG i. p. for protecting mice from EAE

Objective To investigate mechanisms underlying the prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice by intraperitoneal infusion of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55) (MOG i. p.). Methods C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG35-55 to establish the model of EAE and then were intraperitoneally injected daily with MOG35-55 or ovalbumin (OVA, served as control) from day 6 to day 16. EAE was evaluated daily using a general clinical scoring system and histological analysis. Numbers of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and central nervous system (CNS) were detected at different time points. Effects of MOG i. p. on the migration of MOG-T cells in vivo were analyzed by an adoptive transfer experiment. Maturation of splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and migration of MOG-T cells in vitro were examined by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and a Transwell system, respectively. Results MOG i. p. protected the mice from development of EAE by blocking the lymphocyte recruitment to CNS. More effector T cells were trapped in the periphery of EAE and naive mice in adoptive transfer experiment after MOG i. p. treatment. MOG i. p. induced the maturation of splenic APCs and enhanced the expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) molecules. Mature APCs blocked the recruitment of effector T cells to CNS. Conclusion MOG i. p. protects mice from EAE by inducing the maturation of splenic APCs. Key words: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Immune tolerance; Antigen-presenting cell; Cell migration

To explore the method of excavation and sorting for Wuzhou medical academic mainstreams

This paper tried to explore the method of excavation and sorting for local cultural knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine by confirming the research content, setting the eligibility, designing the research method, and implementing the research plan. We pointed out that the trial design, working style, policy support and funding support played an important role for the success of researches. Key words: Traditional Chinese medicine schools; Anthropology, cultural; Research methods

Spatial and environmental effects on a rock-pool metacommunity depend on landscape setting and dispersal mode

Empirical studies on structuring mechanisms of metacommunities usually focus on the major roles of environmental filtering and dispersal. Recent works suggest that the relative importance of these structuring mechanisms differs among organisms with different body size, taxonomic affiliation, and dispersal abilities, and also depends on spatial extent and environmental heterogeneity. However, the effects of physical connectivity among sites and dispersal mode are less commonly considered explicitly in field metacommunity studies. We analysed a rock‐pool animal metacommunity, comparing both environmental and spatial effects between a set of pools in a ravine setting, with ephemeral connecting waterways, and another in a hill setting, without such connections. We also analysed the relative role of structuring mechanisms influencing active versus passive dispersers in the metacommunity. We used permutational multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of the multivariate homogeneity of group dispersions to compare environmental and species variation between landscape settings. Variation partitioning was applied to determine the percentage of species variation explained by environmental and spatial variables. The relative influence of the structuring mechanisms depended on both the landscape connectivity context and species dispersal mode. Species sorting drove active‐disperser metacommunities in both isolated and waterway connected pools, suggesting that these animals had a dispersal rate among the environmentally suitable sites that was adequate to compensate for extinctions at the spatial scale we considered. In addition, beta diversity of active dispersers and species‐sorting effects were higher in the set of ravine rock pools that were more environmentally heterogeneous and connected by waterways. In contrast, species sorting structured passive‐disperser metacommunities only in the set of pools with connecting waterways, whereas spatial constraints more strongly affected passive dispersers in the relatively more isolated hillside pools. Overall, environmental variables had a greater effect than spatial variables on rock‐pool metacommunities at the scale we studied, with the exception that passive dispersers in rock pools unconnected by waterways did tend to have spatially constrained distributions.

Effect of Valpar occupational assessment training system on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia

Objective To explore the effect of Valpar occupational assessment training system on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Methods Sixty patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned into Valpar therapy group (experiment group, n=30) and traditional rehabilitation therapy group (control group, n=30) according to the order number. The duration of the treatment was six weeks. The brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia (BACS) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) were conducted as pre-and post-treatment assessment. Results There were significant differences between scores of BASC in pre-and post-treatment assessment in experiment group. More specifically, the BASC scores in symbol coding (37.50±6.50, t=-4.60, P<0.01), token movement(60.80±8.72, t=-2.54, P=0.017), verbal memory (44.40±11.29, t=-2.19, P=0.037)), and word fluency(14.23±4.35, t=-3.39, P=0.002) were significantly different when comparing pre-and post-treatment assessment outcomes. In control group, the only significant difference was found in word fluency (14.23±4.35, t=-3.39, P=0.002). In addition, response errors (57.80±10.35, t=-3.06, P=0.005) and repeat errors (34.67±6.96, t=3.41, P=0.002) in WCST in experiment group were significantly different in pre-and post-treatment assessment while only repeat errors (34.30±7.01, t=4.36, P=0.000) was different in control group. It was further discovered that scores in in symbol coding(t=2.010, P=0.048), token movement (t=2.124, P=0.038), response errors (t=2.413, P=0.020) and repeat errors (t=2.009, P=0.047) in WCST were different between two groups. Conclusion Valpar professional evaluation training system can significantly improve the cognitive function of people with schizophrenia. Key words: Valpar occupational assessment training system; Schizophrenic patients; Cognitive function

Effects of mannan-binding lectin on the differentiation and functions of regulatory T cells

Objective To investigate the effects of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) on the differentiation and functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Methods CD4+ CD25-T cells were isolated in vitro from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) by immunomagnetic bead sorting method. These cells were treated with anti-CD3 McAb and anti-CD28 McAb and induced with TGF-β1 at an appropriate concentration. Experimental (MBL) and control groups were respectively set up by further intervention with or without different concentrations of MBL. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to detect the percentage of induced regulatory T cells (iTreg) in each group after the CD4+ CD25-T cells were cultured for 72 hours. RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression of Foxp3 at mRNA level in CBMCs, purified CD4+ CD25-T cells, control and MBL groups. Effects of iTreg on the proliferation of allogeneic CD4+ CD25-T cells were analyzed by CCK-8 method. Results FACS analysis showed that MBL at a supra-physiological concentration could enhance the differentiation of CD4+ CD25-T cells to iTreg cells after 72 hours of cell culture as compared with that of the control group. Results of RT-PCR revealed that MBL could enhance the high expression of Foxp3 at mRNA level in iTregs. In vitro inhibition assay showed that iTreg significantly inhibited the proliferation of allogeneic CD4+ CD25-T cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibitory effect of iTregs on the proliferation of CD4+ CD25-T cells was enhanced by adding MBL in the culture system. Conclusion MBL can promote the differentiation of CD4+ CD25-T cells to iTregs. Furthermore, MBL has a certain synergistic effect with Tregs on inhibiting the proliferation of effector T cells. Key words: Mannan-binding lectin; Regulatory T cell; Cord blood mononuclear cell; Effector T cell; Induced differentiation

The effect of calorie restriction on the proliferation of satellite cells in elderly rats′ skeletal muscles

Objective To explore any effect of calorie restriction on the proliferation of satellite cells in the skeletal muscles of elderly rats. Methods Twelve male C57BL rats aged 12 or 13 months were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 6. The control group was fed 75.09 kJ/d as normal, while the experimental group was provided with 45.05 kJ/d (60% of normal). The intervention lasted for 15 weeks and each rat′s weight was measured every week. After the intervention, limb muscle satellite cells were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting after digestion, and the cell cycle was analyzed. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of cyclin A, D1 and E. Results There was no significant difference in the average weight of the two groups before the experiment. After the 15 weeks the average weight of the experimental group had decreased significantly (to 19.5±0.4 g), and it was significantly lighter than that of the control group (31.9±0.5 g). The average percentage of the satellite cells in the G0/G1 phase had decreased significantly in the experimental group, but the percentage in the S phase had increased significantly. The expression of cyclin A and E was significantly greater in the experimental group compared with the control group, but the expression of cyclin D1 had decreased significantly. Conclusion Caloric restriction can delay the proliferation of satellite cells in the skeletal muscles of elderly mice. Key words: Calorie restriction; Aging; Muscle satellite cells; Proliferation

Effect ofHepatocyte nuclear factor 4 on stem cell characteristics and epithelial mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) on the characteristics of stem cells and epithelial mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC7721. Methods Thehoechst33342 staining and CD133 staining, followed by flow cytometry sorting were performed in SMMC7721 cells. The expression levels of HNF4 were detected by Western blotting in the side group cells and CD133+ cells. Western blotting was used to detect the protein changes, which related tothe epithelial mesenchymal transition, after HNF4 was knockdown by specific siRNA transfection. Finally, the flow cytometry and in vitro cell sphere formation assay were conducted to value the effect of HNF4 silencing on stem cell properties. Results The side group cells, resembled by Hoechst33342 negative, accounted (8.77±0.59)% of the proportion of total cells, while the proportion of CD133+ cells was (4.19±0.26)% of the total cells, the expression levels of HNF4 were significantly lower in the side population cells and CD133+ cells, and the HNF4 silencing could promote the expression of epithelial cell marker protein, with the decline of mesenchymal ones. Knockdown of HNF4 could also elevate the proportion of side group cells (NC vs. si-HNF4=7.73±0.57 vs. 22.38±2.56) and CD133+ cells (NC vs. si-HNF4=4.67±0.56 vs. 17.31±1.77), and also promotedthe activity of SMMC7721 cell sphere formation (NC vs. si-HNF4=1.67±0.62 vs. 5.33±1.52). Conclusion HNF4 plays an important role in maintaining the stem cell properties of HCC cells. Silencing HNF4 could promote the epithelial mesenchymal transition, and enhance the stem cell characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Key words: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4; Stem cells; Epithelial mesenchymal transition

Study on Identification of Immature Corn Seed Using Hyperspectral Imaging

The seed maturity, which is one of the important factors that affect seed vigor, is an important quality index. During seed sorting, separating mature seeds from immature seeds can improve the vigor of seed lot and keep vigor consistency. Hyperspectral imaging that covered the range of 400~1 000 nm was used to find out the sensitive bands reflecting corn seed maturity, and corresponding images were employed to classify the immature corn seeds. Principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was adopted to analyze the hyperspectral image. PC2 of PCA had the greatest difference between immature and mature areas on the seeds, therefore, the weighted coefficients of PC2 was selected to extract sensitive wavebands (501 nm). Regions of interest (ROI) from mature and immature area of 70 immature kernels was selected for mean spectra calculation. Partial least square regression (PLSR) algorithm was employed to analyze the spectra of ROI and extract wavelength related to maturity (518 nm). Band ratio algorithm and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to select the best band ratio that had the biggest difference between mature and immature areas (640 nm/525 nm). 864 kernels of corn seed were analyzed by gray images of the selected wavelengths as well as band ratio images. Results showed that the light color regions of the seed crown were misidentified as immature region when the images of selected single band wavelengths were used, while the band ratio image of 640 nm/525 nm could be identified correctly. The immature seeds can be separated from the mature seeds according to the area ratio of segmented immature region to the whole kernel. The correct recognition rate was 93.9%. Using the grey images of selected band ratio can differentiate immature corn seeds from mature seeds effectively, which provide a theoretical reference for the development of seed sorting device in further work.

Ultrasonographic images of tongue movement during mastication.

We observed vertical motion of the tongue during mastication in ultrasonographic images of 6 males with an average age of 28.7 years. All subjects had complete dentition and no evidence of neurological disorders. We used a 7 MHz mechanical convex scanning transducer to obtain a continuous, real-time ultrasonic image of the tongue, and carried out real-time B-mode ultrasonic observation at the median sagittal plane of the mandible. We recorded vertical motion of the tongue in the M-mode on a line connecting the mandibular first molars. The transducer produced good quality images of the dorsal surface during mastication of peanuts, rice, crackers, boiled fish paste, pickled radishes, pudding and bananas. The transducer, which was small and light, permitted capture of the images on videotape without manual placement of the scanner. Continuous images showed that the tongue turned the food, mixed it with saliva, sorted out unsuitable particles and aided in bolus formation. Vertical motion of the tongue had two phases, sorting and bolus formation.

Enhanced Sorting on Fully Homomorphic Encrypted Data

Enhanced Sorting on Fully Homomorphic Encrypted Data

Effect of methotrexate packaged by tumor derived microparticles combined with radiotherapy on proliferation of cancer stem cells in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro

Objective To explore the effect of methotrexate packaged by tumor derived microparticles(T-MP MTX) combined with radiotherapy on lung cancer stem cell (CSC) in vitro. Methods T-MP MTX was prepared from non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. Proliferative changes of A549 cells, bronchial epithelial cells H460 and 16HBE cells treated by T-MP MTX were assayed by MTT method. Cell cycles of A549 cells in blank group and T-MP MYX group were examined by fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS). The effect of T-MP MTX combined with radiotherapy on CSCs was assessed by tumor sphere formation experiment and animal experiment. The expressions of stemness relative genes (such as β-catenin, Nanog, SOX-2 and KLF4) were measured by Western blot. Results T-MP MTX dose-dependently inhibited the cell growth in A549 cells, but didn't in H460 cells and 16HBE cells. The S cycle ratio of A549 cells in blank group and T-MP MYX group measured by FACS were (15.83±3.14)% and (47.47±6.69)%, respectively. S cycle ratio of T-MP MYX group was notably higher compared with that of blank group (t=7.411, P=0.002). Further study revealed that the number of tumor sphere in blank group, control group, 2 Gy group, 4 Gy group and 6 Gy group was (268.9±22.4), (172.4±18.7), (48.3±5.1), (16.3±3.5) and (5.1±3.1), respectively. The number of tumor sphere in other groups was decreased compared with that in blank group (F=228.291, P=0.000). The numbers of tumor sphere in 2 Gy group, 4 Gy group and 6 Gy groups was also reduced compared with that in control group. Importantly, the number of tumor sphere in these groups were decreased dramatically as the dose of radiotherapy increased (F=95.142, P=0.000). The results of tumor sphere volume were similar with the number of tumor sphere. Western blot experiment showed that T-MP MTX treatment in A549 cells decreased the expression of stemness relative genes (β-catenin, Nanog, SOX-2 and KLF4), and its role was reinforced when radiotherapy was combined. Animal experiment implied that activity of luciferase in T-MP MTX group was decreased compared with that in blank group (P=0.000), and the activity of luciferase in T-MP MTX plus 2 Gy group was reduced significantly (t=6.887, P=0.002). Conclusions T-MP MTX has a potential to sensibilize radiotherapy, and it will synergistically inhibit the proliferation of CSCs when combined with radiotherapy. Moreover, its mechanism may be related with T-MP MTX activating CSCs from hypometabolism state and blocking process of cell cycle. Key words: Lung neoplasms; Methotrexate; Radiotherapy; Tumor cell-derived microparticles; Cell cycle; Neoplastic stem cells

Qualitative research of clinical pregnant nurses' working experience

Objective To understand the true working experiences of clinical pregnant nursers and to provide references for the management of them. Methods A total of 10 clinical pregnant nurses were given an in-depth interview by qualitative investigation and phenomenological approach. Results Three main themes were formulated by reading, analyzing and sorting the data obtained in terms of the clinical pregnant nurses' experiences.Firstly, pregnant nurses were worried about their own health and their embryons' normal development.Secondly, they wanted to change their position and ask a leave for a good rest after pregnancy.Finally, they also wanted to get help from hospitals and departments. Conclusions The pregnant nurses' pressures are interrelated with the nature and environment of working.Thus, they hope to get supports from their own hospitals.Hospital managers should take more humanized managements styles to enhance pregnant nurses' positive working experiences and passions, improve the pregnant nurses' working environment, reduce the temporary post-leaving behaviors and to provide better quality nursing service for patients. Key words: Pregnant nurses; Working experience; Qualitative research

Litter production in the Nothofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Fil: Moretto, Alicia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego;

Phenotypes and HIV-1-specific T cell responses of KIR3DL1 positive CD8 cells in patients with early HIV-1 infection

Objective To investigate the phenotypes and the HIV-1-specific T cell responses of KIR3DL1 positive CD8 cells in patients with early HIV-1 infection. Methods Fifty-six HIV-1 antibody negative individuals and thirty-two patients with early HIV-1 infection were enrolled in the study. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to detect the phenotypes of KIR3DL1 receptor expressed on the surface of CD8 cells. The levels of IFN-γ were measured by intracellular cytokine staining assay after the PBMCs were stimulated with an HIV-1 Gag peptide pool. Results The percentages of KIR3DL1+ CD8 T cells in HIV-1 negative individuals and patients with early HIV-1 infection were 1.45% (0.12%-8.4%) and 0.82% (0.14%-6.14%), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them. The percentages of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Temra cells in HIV-1 negative individuals and patients with early HIV-1 infection were (4.55±3.84)% and (6.71±8.50)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than the percentages of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Tem cells, which were (0.50±0.59)% and (1.18±1.39)%, respectively (all P<0.01). Moreover, the percentages of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Tem cells in patients with early HIV-1 infection were higher than those in HIV-1 negative individuals (P=0.001 2). The percentage of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Temra cells was positively correlated with the HIV-1 viral load in patients with early HIV-1 infection (rs=0.576, P=0.000 9). The percentages of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Temra cells in HIV-1 patients, whose viral loads were larger than 4.0log, were much higher than those in HIV-1 patients with viral loads less than 4.0 log (P=0.002). Additionally, the levels of IFN-γ secreted by KIR3DL1 positive CD8 cells were much lesser than those secreted by KIR3DL1 negative CD8 cells (P<0.000 1). Conclusion The receptor of KIR3DL1 was mainly expressed on CD8 Temra cells in both HIV-1 negative subjects and patients with early HIV-1 infection. High HIV-1 viremia was associated with the high percentage of KIR3DL1+ CD8 Temra cells. The KIR3DL1 positive CD8 cells induced lower HIV-1-specific T cell responses. Key words: Early HIV-1 infection; KIR3DL1 receptor; CD8 cells

Taprooting translation : Reflections on the epistemology of translation

AbstractWhatever is intelligible is translatable. Whatever is intelligible is by definition subject to externalisation, and whatever is subject to externalisation is by definition subject to translation.

Correlation of quality of life of Children with type 1 diabetes between their patents′coping and parenting style

Objective To analyze the correlation of quality of life of children with type 1 diabetes and their patents′ coping and parenting style. Methods A total of 67 children with type 1 diabetes and their parents were recruited from 6 Third Class A hospitals and 2 Third Class-B hospitals in Fujian province by convenience sampling method. Diabetes specific quality of life scale, coping style questionnaire and EMBU were used. Results The total score of diabetes specific quality of life was(54.64±14.21). The sorting of each dimension′s ratio was psychology, therapy, society, physiology from high to low. All parents adopted coping style of solving problem. Mothers′rationalization in coping style was positively correlated with overall quality of life and therapy dimension in children(r=2.191-2.319, P<0.05). Fathers′ overprotection in parenting style was negatively correlated with therapy dimension in quality of life in children(r=-2.282, P<0.05). Mathers′ rationalization in coping style had predicted effect to overall quality of life and therapy dimension in children. Conclusions Parents should be sensible to accept and face the fact that children have type 1 diabetes. Reasonable coping style and avoiding overprotection positively impacted on quality of life of children with type 1 diabetes. Key words: Diabetes, type 1; Quality of life; Coping style; Parenting style

The role of microRNA-146a in the modulation of CD4+ T lymphocyte in children with psoriasis vulgaris

Objective To investigate the effect of miRNA-146a expression on the differentiations and functions of CD4+ T lymphocyte in children with psoriasis vulgaris. Methods Thirty children with psoriasis vulgaris and 30 normal controls were enrolled in this study.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miRNA-146a in CD4+ T lymphocytes of the peripheral blood.The CD4+ T lymphocytes were isolated from mononuclear cells prepared with Ficoll-Hypaque density-gradients centrifugation from human peripheral blood by magnetic cells sorting system.The CD4+ T lymphocytes were divided into 3 groups for the experiment: control group, miRNA-146a group, and miRNA-146a inhibitor group.The number of Th1 cells was mea-sured by flow cytometry analysis (FACS). The protein levels and expressions of IFN-γRα were measured by using Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively.The levels of IFN-γ in culture supernatants of CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Compared with the normal control group, there was significant increase in the expression of miRNA-146a and serum level of IFN-γ in the psoriasis vulgaris group[2.43±0.94 vs 1.05±0.23, (27.69±7.64) ng/L vs (9.75±2.81) ng/L] (t=6.651, 4.237, all P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between miRNA-146a and serum IFN-γ (r=0.837, P<0.01). However, in vitro, the number of Th1, and supernatant IFN-γ increased, and the expression of IFN-γRα protein decreased in miRNA-146a group compared with that of the control group(all P<0.01). And the miRNA-146a inhibitor could attenuate the effect of miRNA-146a effectively. Conclusions The miRNA-146a can promote differentiation and improve the function of Th1, It may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris in children. Key words: Psoriasis vulgaris; MicroRNA; T lymphocyte; Cytokine; Child

Perspectives and Trends of Tracking among Students' Abilities on Academic

IntroductionTracking means separating pupils by academic ability into groups for all subjects or certain classes and curriculum within a school (Zittleman & Miller, 2006), and it may be referred to as streaming or phasing in certain schools. In a tracking system, the entire school population is assigned to classes according to whether the students' overall achievement is above average, normal, or below average. Students attend academic classes only with students whose overall academic achievement is the same as their own. Among older students; tracking systems usually diverge in what students are taught. Students in academically advanced tracks study higher mathematics, more foreign languages, and literature. Students in less academic tracks acquire vocational skills such as welding or cosmetology, or business skills, such as typing or bookkeeping. However, students are usually not offered the opportunity to take classes deemed more appropriate for another track, even if the student has demonstrated interest and ability in the subject.Ability grouping is not synonymous with tracking (Rubin, 2008). Tracking differs from ability grouping by scale and permanence. Ability groups are small, informal groups formed within a single classroom. Assignment to an ability group is often short-term (never lasting longer than one school year, and varies by subject (Zittleman & Miller, 2006). Assignment to an ability group is made by (and could be changed at any time by) the individual teacher, and is usually not recorded in student records. For example, a teacher may divide a typical mixed-ability classroom into three groups for a mathematics lesson: those who need to review basic facts before proceeding, those who are ready to learn new material, and those who need a challenging assignment. For the next lesson, the teacher may revert to whole-class, mixed-ability instruction, or may assign students to different groups.Tracking was once popular in Englishspeaking countries, but it is less used nowadays. Strong tracking systems formed the basis of the Tripartite_System in England and Wales until the 1970s and in Northern Ireland until 2009. Germany uses a strongly tracked system where students' achievements in their last of generally four years of primary school determine the type of secondary school they would be permitted to attend, and therefore the type of education they would receive. Weak tracking systems have been used in American schools where local schools assign students to classrooms according to their overall achievement, so that a given classroom is primarily composed of students with high, average, or low academic achievement.Historically, tracking and its various modifications is among the predominant organizing practices of American public schools, and has been an accepted feature in the country's schools for nearly a century (Rubin, 2008). Coming into use at a time when schools were enrolling growing numbers of immigrant children as the result of compulsory schooling laws, tracking was adopted as a means of sorting those children viewed as having limited preparation or capacity for schooling from native children. Unfortunately, however, tracking quickly took on the appearance of internal segregation (Wheelock, 1992; Rubin, 2008). The types of tracks have changed over the years. Traditionally, there were academic, general, and vocational tracks, as identified by the kind of preparation they provide. By the 1920s, some schools had developed up to eight distinctly labeled tracks that represented particular curricular programmes that reflected as assessment of students' probable social and vocational futures, many secondary schools now base track levels on course difficulty, with tracks such as basic, honours, or college-preparation. Primary schools might track in terms of high, average, or lower ability. As noted by Oakes and Martin (1994) "school policies determine three structural qualities of the tracking system: extensiveness which refers to the number of subjects tracked and the type of distinct curricula offered; specificity which refers to the number of track levels offered; and flexibility which refers to whether students move from one track to another (Michelson, 2003). …

Replacing human peripheral blood leukocytes with LRS-separated leukocytes for scientific research

Objective To investigate the feasibility of using leukocytes that were filtered out by LeukoReduction System (LRS) to replace conventional human peripheral blood leukocytes in experimental researches and to comparatively analyze the differences between them in vitro biological functions and phenotypes of T cells. Methods Mononuclear cells were isolated from LRS-separated leukocytes and whole blood sample that collected from the same person by using Ficoll. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to analyze the phenotypes of T cells. CD3+ T cells were sorted out by using magnetic beads. The T cells that were collected by using two different ways were incubated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies and IL-2 in vitro for 10 days. Several assays including cell counting, FACS and cytometric beads array (CBA) were performed to comparatively analyze the differences in biological functions and phenotypes of T cells that were isolated by different methods. Results The phenotypes of T cells isolated from LRS filter and whole blood sample were highly similar at the initial stage. The sorting rate of CD3+ T cells form LRS filter reached a high level and met the requirements for experimental researches. No statistically significant differences in cell count, phenotype, expression of costimulatory molecules and cytokine secretion were observed between T cells isolated from LRS filter and whole blood sample. Conclusion This study suggested that the T cells isolated from LRS filter could be used as an alternative to whole blood T cells for fundamental researches since they were similar in cell vitality, phenotype and biological functions. It provided a new way to solve the problem of blood shortage in clinic and scientific research. Key words: LRS; Peripheral blood; CD3+ T cell

Application of flow cytometry technologies in digestive diseases management

Digestive diseases, are various types of frequently encounted clinical disorders. at present, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of digestive diseases, in addition to laboratory tests (biochemistry, immunology, cytology and bacterial genetics, etc.), to a large extent still rely on imaging studies. Flow cytometry is a function of the level of single cells or other biological particles for quantitative analysis and sorting means of detection, which can be tens of thousands of high-speed analysis of cells and can simultaneously from a cell a plurality of measured parameters, high speed, high precision, accuracy, etc., become the most advanced cellular quantitative analysis techniques. In recent years, flow cytometry is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, liver cirrhosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other digestive diseases.(Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39: 562-564) Key words: Flow cytometry; Digestive diseases; Gastrointestinal tumor; Liver cirrhosis; Ulcerative colitis