Objective The adverse reactions of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system ( LNG-IUS) has been emphasized with the increase of its indications.The study was to investigate the feasibility of interventional treatment in treating uterine adenomyosis with LNG-IUS by observing its adverse reactions, trying to reduce its adverse reaction, increase its utilization ratio and service life and improve its efficacy. Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 67 patients with uterine adenomyosis who were willing to accept LNG-IUS treatment from January 2012 to December 2013 in our hospital.The patients were randomly divided into observation group ( n=34) and control group( n=34) according to different therapies.The observation group were given interventional treatment immedi-ately after the placement of LNG-IUS, that is to take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ( indomethacin, 25 mg, 1 pill each time, three times a day) for 7 consecutive days and desogestrel-ethinylestradiol ( marvelon, 1 pill a day) for 21 consecutive 21 days, 3 con-secutive cycles;while the control group were only given communications without any special treatment.Observation and record were made on related adverse reactions at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment. Results At 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the interventional treatment, the incidence rates of abnormal uterine bleeding between two groups were of significant difference ( 23.5%vs 60.6%, 11.7%vs 36.4%, 0%vs 12.1%, P<0.05) in the control group. At 6 month after the treatment, statistical difference was found in the total incidence rates of amenorrhea, ovarian cysts, dislocation and out of place of IUD between these two groups ( 23.5%vs 6.1%, 2.9%vs 21.2%, 2.9%vs 18.2%, P<0.05). Conclusion The research has indicated that the adoption of interventional treatment after placing LNG-IUS can obviously reduce the occurrence of the main adverse reactions, so it is feasible in clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo obtain 1-4 IgG-like domains of mouse vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) fusion protein (mVEGFR2D1-4/GST) and identify its antiginicity and biological activity.

METHODSThe gene of mVEGFR2D1-4 was amplified by RT-PCR from 14-days embryos of Balb/c mice. The PCR product was cloned into pET-42a prokaryotic expression vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pET-42a-mVEGFR2D1-4, which was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) strain for mVEGFR2D1-4/GST expression. The fusion protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and the antigenicity of the protein purified by affinity chromatography was characterized by ELISA. The VEGF blocking effect of the purified protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated in in vitro cell cultures.

RESULTSThe mVEGFR2D1-4 gene was obtained, which had an identical sequence to that retrieved in GenBank. The prokaryotic expression vector for mVEGFR2D1-4 was successfully constructed as confirmed by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Both Western blotting and ELISA demonstrated the antigenicity of the purified mVEGFR2D1-4 fusion protein, which obviously blocked the effect of VEGF in promoting HUVEC proliferation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe mVEGFR2D1-4/GST fusion protein obtained shows a strong antigenicity and biological activity to facilitate further study of active anti-tumor immunotherapy targeting VEGFR2.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification

In order to investigate biological functions of the 14-3-3 genes and their response to abiotic stress, two cDNAs (designated as Ta14R1 and Ta14R2) encoding putative 14-3-3 proteins were isolated from wheat by PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technique. The cDNA of Ta14R1 is 999bp and encodes a protein of 262 amino acids, while the cDNA of Ta14R2 is 897bp in length and encodes a protein of 261 amino acids. Transient expression assays using Ta14R1/Ta14R2-GFP fusion constructs indicated that Ta14R1 and Ta14R2 were located in cytoplasm and cell membrane but not in chloroplasts. Real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that Ta14R1 and Ta14R2 were differentially expressed in wheat tissues and significantly up-regulated in roots and shoots 1d after germination, indicating they may play a role in process of seed germination. The expression of the two genes in roots and leaves were significantly induced by plant hormone ABA, as well as heat, cold and drought treatments, suggesting that the two 14-3-3 genes in wheat may be involved in ABA dependent stress-responding pathway and response to heat, cold and drought stress.
14-3-3 Proteins ; genetics ; Abscisic Acid ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; Droughts ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Germination ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Temperature ; Triticum ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of obesity on prostate specific antigen (PSA) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and develop a PSA-related parameter that can eliminate the effect of obesity.

METHODSWe reviewed the clinical data of 706 patients with BPH. Two PSA-related parameters, namely PSA mass (total circulating PSA protein) and PSA mass ratio (total circulation PSA protein per prostate volume), were calculated for all the patients and the association of BMI with PSA, PSA mass, and PSA mass ratio was assessed.

RESULTSA higher BMI was significantly associated with a greater plasma volume and prostate volume (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed a greater adjusted R2 of BMI versus plasma volume than of BMI PSA (0.569 vs 0.027). PSA was positively associated with the prostate volume and negatively with BMI and plasma volume (P<0.05). PSA mass was positively associated with prostate volume (P<0.05) but was not associated with BMI or plasma volume (P>0.05). PSA mass ratio was not associated with prostate volume (P>0.05) but negatively associated with BMI and plasma volume. Plasma volume and prostate volume, PSA, and PSA mass ratio (P<0.05), but not PSA mass (P>0.05), differed significantly among normal-weight, overweight, and obese patients.

CONCLUSIONA higher BMI is associated with a greater plasma volume in BPH patients. In obese patients with BPH, a lower PSA concentration may result from hemodilution caused by a greater plasma volume, and PSA mass can eliminate the effect of obesity on PSA.

Body Mass Index ; Hemodilution ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; pathology ; Organ Size ; Overweight ; pathology ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of high risk sexual behaviors and HIV infectious status among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use drugs in Tianjin in 2016. Methods: From April to December in 2016, MSM who use drugs in Tianjin were targetedly and extensively mobilized to receive testing by snowball sampling method. The inclusion criteria were as follows: men aged 18 years old and above; have had oral or anal sex with men in the last 6 months; have had drug abuse history in the last 6 months, including the use of rush poppers, 5-Methoxy-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DiPT), and Methamphetamine Synthesis substances; and with no mental disorder or mental deficiency. In this study, 302 MSMs were recruited to collect information of social demographic characteristics, drug abuse situation, sexual behavior after drug use, HIV test and the infectious status was collected through the online questionnaire, and the descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: From January to December 2016, a total of 302 subjects were recruited, among whom 194 (64.2%) aged 21-30 years old, 223 (73.8%) were unmarried and 28 (9.3%) were students. In the past 6 months, 297 (98.3%) used rush poppers, 31 (10.3%) used 5-MeO-DiPT, and 14(4.6%) used Methamphetamine Synthesis substances. The proportion of having sex after using the three types of drugs were 87.9% (n=261), 83.9% (n=26) and 92.9% (n=13), 85.5% (n=254), 87.1% (n=27) and 92.9% (n=13) of the subjects reported the sexual pleasure and sexual desire increased after using drugs, respectively. After using the three types of the drugs,58.6% (n=174), 83.9% (n=26) and 92.9% (n=13) of the subjects reported the duration of each sexual activity prolonged. In the past 3 months,48.3% (n=146) had stable sexual partners, 72.5% (n=219) had temporary sexual partners and 12.3% (n=37) had group sexual behaviors. 41 out of 302 subjects were HIV positive with the HIV positive rate at 13.6%. Conclusion Most of the MSM who use drugs were young, and always had sex when they use drugs. There is a relatively high HIV prevalence in this population.

Objective:To assess the susceptibility of gonococcal clinical isolates to gentamicin in Guangxi region, China, and to analyze the correlation between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin and MICs of 7 other antibiotics.Methods:From December 2020 to December 2021, 584 gonococcal clinical isolates were collected from 37 medical institutions in 14 prefecture-level cities in Guangxi region. The susceptibility of gonococcal clinical isolates to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, spectinomycin, penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin was determined by using an agar dilution method. The MIC values of antibiotics were logarithmically transformed with base 2, and Spearman correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlation between the MIC of gentamicin and MICs of the other 7 antibiotics.Results:The MIC of gentamicin ranged from 1 to 16 mg/L, and the MIC50 and MIC90 values were 4 and 8 mg/L, respectively; 361 strains (61.8%) were fully sensitive to gentamicin with the MIC ≤ 4 mg/L, 223 strains (38.2%) moderately sensitive with the MIC ranging from 8 to 16 mg/L, and no gentamicin-resistant strains were found. The number of strains resistant to azithromycin, penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin was 136 (23.3%), 415 (71.1%), 339 (58.0%) and 574 (98.3%) respectively, the number of lowly sensitive strains to ceftriaxone and cefixime was 17 (2.9%) and 6 (1.0%) respectively, and no spectinomycin-resistant strains were found. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the MIC of gentamicin was weakly correlated with the MICs of azithromycin, spectinomycin, penicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin (all P < 0.05), but was uncorrelated with the MICs of ceftriaxone and cefixime (both P > 0.05) . Conclusion:All gonococcal clinical isolates tested in this study showed a certain degree of susceptibility to gentamicin, and cross-resistance between gentamicin and other antibiotics was less likely to occur.

To identify in vivo-induced gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pn) through a novel in vivo expression technology (IVET), a large promoter-trap library using galU and lacZ as the reporters was constructed. Based on the suicide vector pEVP3, a new vector pEVP3-galU was constructed with promoterless galU gene as an in vivo reporter. Firstly, promoterless galU gene was directly cloned into pEVP3 fusing with promoterless lacZ gene (an in vitro reporter). Then the random pieces of S. pn chromosomal DNA (200-500 bp), obtained by partial Sau3AI restriction digestion, were subcloned into the Bgl II site of pEVP3-galU. Upon introduction of the ligated plasmid library into E. coli DH5alpha by transformation, about 70,000 recombinants were recovered. Considering insert DNA orientation and insert size, this represents 5 coverage of the 2.2 Mb S. pn genome; 90% of these clones had 250- to 500-bp inserts. Thus, the library retained maximal complexity. Transformation by this plasmid library yield 450,000 S. pn transformants. The library was used to infect animals in intraperitoneal model. Those strains survived in vivo while exhibiting a white colony phenotype on TSA agar containing X-gal would indicate that the DNA fragment upstream of the galU reporter contained an in vivo-induced promoter. The promoter-trap library is suitable for screening in vivo-induced gene of S. pn.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genomic Library ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; genetics