Objective To investigate the change of splenocyte subsets in Balb/c mice immunized with transgenic alfalfa(Medicago sativa)containing Eg95-EgA31 fusion gene of Echinococcus granulosus(Eg) and challenged with Eg protoscoleces.Methods Leaf protein was extracted from transgenic alfalfa containing Eg95-EgA31 fusion gene by heat-coagulation method,and concentration of 20 g/L was used in the study.Meanwhile,leaf protein extracted from the transgenic alfalfa containing blank vector(pBI121)and the normal alfalfa was served as control.Thirty-two female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups,8 mice in each group.Oral group was immunized with the leaf protein containing Eg95-EgA31 fusion antigen intragastrically(100μl per mouse);intranasal group was immunized with the leaf protein containing Eg95-EgA31 fusion antigen intranasally(10 μl per mouse);blank vector group was vaccinated intranasally with 10μl leaf protein with blank vector(pBI121);and normal control group was given 100μl normal leaf protein intragastrically.All mice in the above mentioned groups were immunized every 3 days for 2 months.Then,the mice were challenged intraperitoneally with Eg protoscoleces(50 protoscoleces per mouse)8 weeks after last vaccination and sacrified 24 weeks pest infection to separate the splenocytes.Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T ceils subsets.Resuits Compared with the normal control group(0.166±0.018,0.083±0.006,2.019 ±0.369),the percentages of CD4+(0.286±0.009)and CD8+(0.102±0.004)T cell subsets and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+(2.814±0.014)in oral group increased significantly (P<0.01 or<0.05).The percentage of CD4+ subset(0.269±0.016)and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+(2.955±0.986) in intranasal group was significantly higher than that ofthe normal control group(all P<0.01).The percentage of CD4+ subset in oral group was significantly higher than that of the intranasal group(P<0.05).No significant difference was found in the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ between the blank vector group(0.169±0.018,0.093±0.019,1.852±0.188)and the normal control group(all P>0.05).Conclusions CD4+ T cell may play an important role in the protection induced by transgenic alfalfa vaccine against the challenge of Eg protoscoleces.Intragastrical immunization may be a good route.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of splenocyte cytokines in mice immunized with the transgenic alfalfa containing Eg95-EgA31 fusion gene of Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). Methods Eighty-eight Balb/c mice were divided into 2 groups randomly according to body weights,and immunized orally or intranasally with 100μl or 10μl extracted leaf protein from the transgenic alfalfa(20 g/L) respectively once per 3 days for 2 months. Four mice randomized from each group were killed to get splenocyte on week 0(control),2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18 and 20 after the last immunization. The splenocyte were cultured in medium for 48 hours with EgAg or concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation to induce the interleukin (IL)-12,interferon γ(IFN-γ) and IL-10,and cultured for 72 hours with EgAg or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulus to induce the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Then the supernatant was collected to measure the level of IL-12,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 by ELISA. Results In the oral immunization group,the level of IL-12,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 increased significantly from week 4 to week 6,week 2 to week 8,week 2 to week 6 and week 4 to week 12,respectively,reaching the highest level(25.0±5.8)ng/L on week 4,(575.0±28.9)ng/L on week 2,(50.0±11.5)ng/L on week 2 and (42.5±2.9)ng/L on week 8,respectively,as compared with the values on week 0[(11.3±2.5),(125.0±28.9),(11.3±2.5),(12.5±2.9)ng/L,all P < 0.01]; in the intranasal immunization group,it was similar about the values of IL-12,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 could be seen from week 4 to week 6,week 2 to week 10,week 4 to week 10 and week 6 to week 16,respectively,reaching the highest level(25.0±5.8)ng/L on week 6,(725.0±28.9)ng/L on week 4,(27.5±2.9)ng/L on week 6 and (60.0±11.5)ng/L on week 6,respectively,as compared with the values on week 0[(11.3±2.5),(125.0±28.9),(11.3±2.5),(12.5±2.9)ng/L,all P < 0.01]. The cytokine levels in the groups with EgAg,ConA or LPS stimulus were significantly higher than those in the corresponding splenocyte suspension groups(P < 0.05 or < 0.01),and the cytokine levels in the groups with ConA or LPS stimulus were obviously higher than those in the corresponding groups with EgAg stimulation (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Conclusion The mixed responses of Th1 and Th2 types can be induced in mice immunized with the transgenic alfalfa in the early period post immunization(2-10 weeks).

Humans ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology

Fluorescence enhancement reaction of flavoxate hydrochloride (FX) in strong alkali solution was studied, the mechanism of the reaction was investigated, and a novel fluorimetric method for analysis of FX in drug sample was established. FX has no intrinsic fluorescence, but it can slowly produce fluorescence in strong alkali solution. Heating can promote the fluorescence enhancement reaction. In 3D fluorescence spectra of the decomposition product of FX, two fluorescence peaks, located respectively at excitation wavelengths λex/ emission wavelength λem =223/410 nm, and 302/410 nm, were observed. Using quinine sulfate as a reference, fluorescence quantum yield of the decomposition product was measured to be 0.50. The structural characteriza- tion and spectral analysis of the decomposition product reveal that ester bond hydrolysis reaction of FX is firstly occurred during heating process, forming 3-methylflavone-8-carboxylic acid (MFA), then a cleavage reaction of the γ-pyrone ring of MFA occurred, producing α, β-unsaturated ketone. This product includes adjacent hydroxyl benzoic acid group in its molecule, which can form intramolecular hydrogen bond under alkaline condition, so that increase the conjugate degree and enhance the rigidity of the molecule, and thereby cause fluorescence enhancement. Based on this fluorescence enhancement reaction, a fluorimetric method was proposed for the determination of FX. A linear calibration curve covered the concentration range 0.020 3-0.487 µg · mL. The regression equation was I(F) = 23.9 + 5357.3 c, with correlation coefficient r = 0.999 7 (n = 8), detection limit D = 1.1 ng · mL(-1). The method was applied to the analysis of FX tablets, with a spiked recovery rate of 100.2%. The reliability of the method was verified by a UV-spectrophotometric method.
Alkalies ; Calibration ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Flavoxate ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Fluorescence ; Limit of Detection ; Reproducibility of Results ; Solutions ; Tablets

Objective To cultivate and identify the transgenic affalfa containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene. Methods The alfalfa plants were transformed by co-cultivating alfalfa cotyledons via recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring pBI-Eg95. The transgenic alfalfa explants were selected by kanamyein after calli formation, shoots and roots regeneration in the selective medium, the seedlings of transgenic plants were obtained which were finally transplanted into pots containing nutrient soil. After 2-3 months growth, the complete transgenic alfalfa plants containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene were obtained. To identify the transgenic alfalfa plants, the total DNA, RNA and leaf protein were extracted from fresh leaf tissue of the transgenic alfalfa plants and confirmed by PCR, RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay. Results A specific band around 471 bp was amplified by PCR with total DNA, and the same band was obtained by RT-PCR with total RNA, which confirmed that the Eg95 gene was stably integrated into the transformed alfalfa genome. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass(Mr) of the expressed protein was about 16.5×103, consistent with the Eg95 protein, and the level of Eg95 expression was up to 0.06% of total soluble leaf protein by Bio-Rad Quantity one assay. Western blot verified the expressed protein was reactive with the sera of mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Conclusion The transgenic alfalfa plants containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene are successfully cultivated.

Anticonvulsants ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Seizures ; chemically induced

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Face ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection ; metabolism ; microbiology ; pathology ; Nasal Cavity ; microbiology ; Nose Diseases ; metabolism ; microbiology ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility and clinical effectiveness of living relative donor kidney transplantation(LDKT)and summarize its clinical experience. Methods The clinical data of 30 cases of LDKT were retrospectively analyzed.Except for 2 cases being donated by spouse,the others were donated by blood relative donors.6 cases shared two haplotypes,and 22 cases shared one haplotype,and one case 4 mismatched,and 1 fully mismatched.All donors underwent open nephroectomy,in which 7 cases donated right kidneys and 23 donated left kidneys.In 30 cases of recipients,1 case received cadaver donor kidney transplantation and lost her allograft because of superacute rejection.Triple-combined immunosuppressive protocols consisted of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI),mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)or azathioprine(AZa)and steroid. Results All donors'hospital stay was 7 to 10 days postoperatively without any surgical complications. All donors kept their normal kidney function within 3 to 6 months'follow-up.Except for 1 case of death because of lung in fection,29 cases of recipients survived,in which 28 cases kept their normal function kidney within 1 to 4 years of follow-up and 1 case occurred chronic allograft nephropathy after one year.Except one case of DGF,29 cases of recipients retained their normal kidney function in 3 to 5 days postoperatively.Rejection episodes occurred in 4 cases,of which 3 cases were reversed by methylprednisone and 1 case by antithymocyte globulin(ATG)and Tacrolimus.Pneumonia developed in 3 cases,of which 2 cases were cured and 1 case failed.Hematoma was found around allograft in 1 case and wag surgi cally removed.Urinary leakage was happened in 2 cases of recepients and were cured by conservative treatment. Conclusions LDKT is safe and feasible with good long-term results and more advantages such as optimal HLA matches and less ischemia time and lower acute rejection,low-dose immunosup pressants.

Objective To evaluate effects of interleukin-36α (IL-36α) on psoriasiform skin lesions and C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) expression in mice.Methods Totally,30 BALB/c female mice were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups:control group treated with topical vaseline cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with phosphate buffer saline (PBS),model group treated with topical imiquimod cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with PBS,experimental group treated with topical imiquimod cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with IL-36α solution.Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was used to evaluate changes of psoriasiform skin lesions in mice,and light microscopy to observe morphological changes of skin lesions and to measure the thickness of the epidermis.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression of IL-36α in skin lesions in the control group and model group,and qRT-PCR,Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical study to evaluate changes of CCL20 levels in skin lesions.Results The model group showed significantly increased mRNA (△ Ct value:0.0195 ± 0.0059) and protein expression (3.922 ± 0.248) of IL-36α compared with the control group (mRNA:0.0012 ± 0.0004,P ＜ 0.05;protein:0.690 ± 0.025,P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of CCL20 were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the model group (mRNA:2.152 ± 0.793 vs.0.999 ± 0.178;protein:0.397 ± 0.033 vs.0.145 ± 0.030;both P ＜ 0.05),and higher in the model group than those in the control group (mRNA:0.378 ± 0.075;protein:0.025 ± 0.009;both P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical study showed that the expression intensity of CCL20 in skin lesions significantly increased in the experimental group compared with that in the model group (Z =2.294,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion IL-36α may aggravate psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice by promoting CCL20 expression.

Febuxostat, as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is a classic anti-gout drug with significant therapeutic effects and good tolerability. The structures of febuxostat and its derivatives can be divided into two parts: a substituted phenyl ring and a five-membered or six-membered heterocyclic ring with a carboxyl substitution. This paper reviewed the research progress of febuxostat derivatives in recent ten years and classified the structure-activity relationships of various febuxostat derivatives. Exploring the action mechanisms and structure-activity relationships of xanthine oxidase inhibitors might be significant for the rational design and development of new anti-gout chemical entities.