Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease worldwide, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the direct cause of this disease. In recent years, as an essential part of its evolutionary process, HBV mutation has been extensively studied domestically and globally. However, the study on the conserved sequences in HBV sequences is still in its infancy. In this study, we applied multiple EM for motif elicitation (MEME) algorithm to discover HBV motif and proposed a new metric, conservative index (CI), to carry out phylogenetic analysis based on HBV sequences. Then, the constructed phylogenetic tree was subjected to reliability assessment. The results demonstrated that the new metric CI combined with the MEME algorithm can effectively help to discover motifs in HBV sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree based on them and to analyze the evolutionary relationship between HBV sequences; in addition, the possible ancestral sequences of samples may be obtained by conservative analysis. The proposed method is valuable for the exploratory study on large HBV sequence data sets.
Computational Biology ; Conserved Sequence ; Evolution, Molecular ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleotide Motifs ; Phylogeny ; Reproducibility of Results

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Hepatitis B is one of the most serious global threats to human health. Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can reveal the evolutionary relationship between HBV sequences and thus provide a basis for the prediction and treatment of hepatitis B and other aspects. In this study, we performed sequence analyses on the HBV sequences of five clinical HBV samples and the HBV sequences retrieved from the GenBank, EMBL, and DDBJ to construct a phylogenetic tree and analyze sequence structures. The experimental results revealed that the C gene of one cloned sequence had a recombinant structure of HBV B/ C subtype. Moreover, the phylogenetic results proved the existence of a newly found subtype HBV/B6 in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan Province, China. The experimental conclusion represents certain value for phylogenetic studies of HBV in Yunnan ethnic minority groups.
DNA, Recombinant ; genetics ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genotyping Techniques ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.

METHODSAnalysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThere was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females (P < 0.01), while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile (< 0.49 nmol/L) had more risk of plaque formation (OR = 3.805, P < 0.01) after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONTestosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of glycated albumin (GA), a parameter in reflecting recent glycemic control, in patients with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Methods From January to June 2007, 516 subjects who accepted oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in out-patient department were randomly enrolled, including 130 with normal glucose regulation (NGR), 154 with IGR and 232 with diabetes mellitus. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 0.5 h plasma glucose (PG), 1hPG, 2hPG, 3hPG after glucose loading, HbA1c and GA were measured in each subject. The correlation between GA and the other parameters were analyzed. Results There were significant differences in the values of GA among NGR, IGR and diabetes mellitus groups (all P < 0.01), but no difference in the values of HbA1c between NGR group and IGR group (P > 0.05). GA was positively correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.75, P < 0.01). Stepwise regression analysis showed that FPG, 2hPG and body mass index were the major independent contributing factors. Conclusion The combination of plasma glucose with GA measurement may be helpful in evaluating the status of glucose metabolism.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of emodin on motility signal transduction and calcium ion in colonic smooth muscle cells (SMC) in rats with bacterial peritonitis caused multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

METHODSObservation was conducted in colon of MODS model rats on (1) effects of emodin on the contraction of muscular strip and cells of colonic smooth muscle, and influences of specific myoglobulin light chain kinase inhibitor (ML-7) and selective proteinkinase C inhibitor (Calphostin C) on these effects; and (2) effect of emodin on calcium ion in SMC.

RESULTSEmodin could directly contract the muscular strip and cells of smooth muscle; ML-7 and Calphostine could inhibit these contractile action to some extent. Under MODS condition, emodin could still increase the intracellular calcium ion concentration; this effect could be inhibited by heparin (inosamine triphosphate receptor inhibitor IP3 and ryanodine receptor inhibitor in MODS model but the calcium chelator EGTA and nifedipine (the specific cell membrane voltage dependent calcium channel blocker) showed no influence on it.

CONCLUSIONEmodin could directly contract the colonic smooth muscle in MODS model rats, which is mediated by raise the signal path MLCK of calcium ion and the PKCa path for increase calcium sensibility. The mechanism of increasing calcium ion is mainly through IP3 and RyR the two calcium ion channel receptor in the sarcoplasm.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Colon ; drug effects ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; physiopathology ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and impact of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and 120-W thulium: YAG vapoenucleation of the prostate (ThuVEP) on erectile function in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 93 cases of symptomatic BPH treated by HoLEP or 120 W ThuVEP. We made comparisons between the two groups of patients in the baseline and postoperative clinical and surgical indexes as well as their IPSS, quality of life (QOL), maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and IIEF-EF scores before surgery and during the 12-month follow-up.

RESULTSThuVEP, in comparison with HoLEP, achieved a significantly shorter operation time ([57.6 +/- 12. 8] vs. [70.4 +/- 21.8] min, P = 0.001) and a higher laser efficiency ([0.71 +/- 0.18] vs. [0.62 +/- 0.19] g/min, P = 0. 021). At 1, 6, or 12 months of follow-up, no significant differences were observed in IPSS, OOL, Omax, and PVR between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both the HoLEP and ThuVEP groups showed low incidences of complications and remarkably improved IIEF-EF scores at 12 months postoperatively, but with no significant differences (both P > 0.05). However, in those with relatively normal erectile functions before operation, the mean IIEF-EF score was reduced from 22.8 +/- 2.2 preoperatively to 21.0 +/- 2.7 after HoLEP, (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONBoth HoLEP and 120W ThuVEP are effective and safe in the treatment of BPH. Compared with HoLEP, 120 W ThuVEP has even a higher laser efficiency. However, neither can significantly improve erectile function, and HoLEP may have a short-term negative impact on the relatively normal erectile function of the patient.

Aged ; Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Thulium ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urine

Persicae Semen (PS), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used for the syndrome of blood stasis in China since the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the present study, we developed an HPLC-UV fingerprint analysis method for the quality control of PS. The HPLC fingerprint was performed on Shimadzu Inertsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 35 degrees C. The mobile phases were composed of acetonitrile and water using a gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. The fingerprint method was validated according to the Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection Fingerprint, and applied to determine 41 batches representative herbs collected from Xinjiang of China. The chromatographic peaks were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and nine of them were identified by comparison with the literature and/or reference standards. In order to classify and assess the samples, hierarchical clustering analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were performed based on the common chromatographic peaks, and the samples were geographically classified into two classes, with six chemical compounds as classification markers which were significantly different between the two classes (P < 0.05).
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Prunus ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry

SUMMARY Anaphylaxis is an acute and fatal systemic allergic reaction to an allergen , and it could be an unpre-dictable and life-threatening cause during anesthesia .The main purpose of this paper is to report a case of anaphy-lactic shock during the anesthesia induction and to review the prophylaxis and treatment of anaphylactic reactions and anaphylactoid reactions during the anesthesia period .A 63-year-old man, with a mass on his adrenal , was scheduled to a laparoscopic adrenal tumor excision .During the anesthesia induction period , after administrated sul-fentanil, propofol and rocuronium , the blood pressure was decreased and the heart rate was increased .Then, the patient had rash on his whole body and developed an anaphylactic shock .After being treated with the anti-allergic agents and norepinephrine , the rash disappeared and the vital sign become stable .The patient felt nothing uncom-fortable during the two weeks ’ follow-up.Anaphylactic reactions and anaphylactoid reactions are not rare during the anesthesia period .The most common inducements are muscle relaxant , latex and antibiotics .Anaphylactic reac-tions in the perioperative period are often serious and potentially life-threatening conditions , involving multiple or-gan systems in which the clinical manifestations are the consequence of the release of preformed mediators from mast cells and basophils .Before anesthesia , we should acquire the allergic history .During the anesthesia period , the vi-tal sign and the skin should be observed carefully .

Background and purpose:Suppression of apoptotic signaling pathways is an important factor in tumor cell resistance. Research on cell apoptosis will open up a new way of reversing drug resistance and tumor treatment. This study examined the effects of a novel naphthalimide derivative 8c on multidrug resistant colon cancer HCT116/L-OHP cells and explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptosis induction. Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of 8c were detected by CCK-8 assays and the effects on apoptosis induction were examined by lfow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by real-time PCR;The protein expressions of p-p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and Cyt-c were detected by Western blot. Results:8c (IC50=8.16 μmol/L) seemed to be more potent than amonaifde (IC50=28.37 μmol/L) against HCT116/L-OHP cells. 8c induced apoptosis on HCT116/L-OHP cell lines through intrinsic or mitochondria dependent pathway. The protein expression of phosphorylation of p53 at Ser-15 was increased, but the mRNA level of p53 did not increase in HCT116/L-OHP cells. Bax protein and mRNA levels were signiifcantly increased, and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA levels were decreased, suggesting an increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratios. Meanwhile, 8c induced a substantial release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol in HCT116/L-OHP cells. Conclusion: 8c induced cell death signal by inducing the activation p53 phosphorylation which subsequently activated related protein expressions of apoptotic pathway, which may be an important mechanism of 8c on inhibiting proliferation of HCT116/L-OHP resistant cells. All the results suggested that 8c was a potent compound to be developed as an anti-tumor and anti-resistance agent for clinic application in the future.