Objective To set up a system in vitro to rapidly recover plasma proteins lost during artificial-liver treatment.Methods The polyprotein precipitation was obtained by all proteins whose isoelectric point pH value were between 7.3 and 5.1,which collided with each other and aggregated using gradient pH co-precipitation(adding 1 mol/L citric acid slowly in the plasma solution to change the pH values gradually from 7.3 to 5.1 in 5 h)combined with salting out(degree of saturation of NaCl is 33%,reacted for 5.5 h at 4℃)or low-temperature ethanol precipitation(40% ethanol, reacted for 5.5 h at -7℃)so that to get rid of toxicants by discarding the supernatant.Results In the range of pH 5.1-7.3,50%(29g/57g)of the total plasma proteins had been recovered by the gradient pH salting out and 41%(25 g/61g)by the gradient pH low-temperature ethanol co-precipi- tation.The protein remained in the supernatant was mostly albumin and its combined bilirubin.The levels of total bilirubin decreased to 0.07% and 0.06% of the original levels by these two methods respectively and the serum HBV DNA level decreased to be undetected(quantitative PCR).Conclu- sions The proteins with close isoelectric point can co-precipitated with the presence of high concen- tration of NaCl or low-temperature ethanol and by changing the pH value gradually.The total protein in the discarded plasma during artificial-liver treatment can be recovered rapidly using the gradient pH coprecipitation.

Objective To study the changes of insulin- like growth factor- 1(IGF-1)in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in children with viral encephalitis (VE).Methods The IGF-1 levels in blood and CSF were determined before treatment by ELISA in 25 children who admitted with VE, including 15 cases with severe VE and another 10 cases with mild VE, 10 children served as con-trols. Results Before treatment, the blood IGF-1 levels in VE group were significantly lower than those of controls, but the CSF IGF-1 levels were significantly higher than those of controls(P0.05), but the blood IGF-1 levels in serve VE group were significanfly lower than those of mild VE group and controls(P

0.05).The adverse effect of treatment group was significantly less than control group(P

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo detect the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in aqueous humor of patients with active choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODSAqueous humor samples were obtained from 32 patients with active CNV. The concentrations of VEGF and PEDF in aqueous humor were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative analysis. VEGF and PEDF in 10 samples of aqueous humor from patients with cataract were also detected by the same methods as control.

RESULTThe mean VEGF and PEDF concentrations in aqueous humor of active CNV patients were higher than those in the control group (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe patients with active CNV exhibit significantly higher VEGF and PEDF levels than those in control, indicating that VEGF along with PEDF may modulate the formation of CNV.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aqueous Humor ; chemistry ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; metabolism ; Eye Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factors ; analysis ; Serpins ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (AS1.50) and Bacillus subtilis strain (AS1.439) from Ming lake were decomposed by photocatalytic nanostructure N-TiO(2) thin films in a photo-reactor under UV irradiation. The different thickness nanostructure N-TiO(2) thin films coated on mesh grid were prepared by sol-gel method and immobilized at 500 degrees C (films A) or 350 degrees C (films B) for 1 h in a muffle furnace. The results showed that N-TiO(2) thin film B (8.18 nm thickness, 2.760 nm height and 25.15 nm diameter) has more uniform granular nanostructure and thinner flat texture than N-TiO(2) thin film A (12.17 nm thickness, 3.578 nm height and 27.50 nm diameter). The bactericidal action of N-TiO(2) thin film A and film B for Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (AS1.50) and Bacillus subtilis varniger strain (AS1.439) were investigated in this work. More than 95% of photocatalytic bactericidal efficiency for Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (AS1.50) and 75% for Bacillus subtilis strain (AS1.439) were achieved by using N-TiO(2) thin films-B for 70-80 min of irradiation during the photo-bactericidal experimental process. The results indicated that the photo-induced bactericidal efficiency of N-TiO(2) thin films probably depended on the characteristics of the films.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Nitrogen Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Photochemistry ; methods ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the expression of centromere protein H (CENP-H) in breast cancer and to correlate it with clinicopathologic data, including patient survival. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting to detect the expression of CENP-H in normal mammary epithelial cells, immortalized mammary epithelial cell lines, and breast cancer cell lines, we observed that the mRNA and protein levels of CENP-H were higher in breast cancer cell lines and in immortalized mammary epithelial cells than in normal mammary epithelial cells. We next examined CENP-H expression in 307 paraffin-embedded archived samples of clinicopathologically characterized breast cancer using immunohistochemistry, and detected high CENP-H expression in 134 (43.6%) samples. Statistical analysis showed that CENP-H expression was related with clinical stage (P = 0.001), T classification (P = 0.032), N classification (P = 0.018), and Ki-67 (P < 0.001). Patients with high CENP-H expression had short overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that CENP-H expression was an independent prognostic indicator for patient survival. Our results suggest that CENP-H protein is a valuable marker of breast cancer progression and prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; cytology ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Survival Rate ; Up-Regulation

Major and profound changes have taken place in China over the past 30 years. Rapid socioeconomic progress has exerted a great impact on lifestyle, ranging from food, clothing, working and living conditions, and means of transportation to leisure activities and entertainment. At the same time, new health problems have emerged, and health services are facing new challenges. Presently, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the top health problems of the Chinese people, and pose a serious challenge to all engaged in the prevention and control of these diseases. An epidemic of CVD in China is emerging as a result of lifestyle changes, urbanization and longevity. Both national policy decision-making and medical practice urgently need an authoritative report which comprehensively reflects the trends in the epidemic of CVD and current preventive measures. Since 2005, guided by the Bureau of Disease Prevention of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China and the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, nationwide experts in the fields of epidemiology, clinical medicine and health economics in the realms of CVD, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, completed the Report on Cardiovascular Diseases in China every year. The report aims to provide a timely review of the trend of the epidemic and to assess the progress of prevention and control of CVD. In addition, as the report is authoritative, representative and readable, it will become an information platform in the CVD field and an important reference book for government, academic institutes, medical organizations and clinical physicians. This publication is expected to play a positive role in the prevention and control of CVD in China. We present an abstract from the Report on Cardiovascular Diseases in China (2010), including trends in CVD, morbidity and mortality of major CVDs, up-to-date assessment of risk factors, as well as health resources for CVD, and a profile of medical expenditure, with the aim of providing evidence for decision-making in CVD prevention and control programs in China, and of delivering the most authoritative information on CVD prevention and control for all citizens.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; epidemiology ; mortality ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Complications ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Dyslipidemias ; complications ; epidemiology ; Epidemics ; Heart Failure ; epidemiology ; mortality ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; epidemiology ; mortality ; prevention & control ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Motor Activity ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Overweight ; complications ; epidemiology ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; mortality ; prevention & control

Objective To study the infection status and the molecular characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from diarrheal patients in Shenzhen, in 2007 to 2008 and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of diarrheal diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Methods More than 80 fecal specimens from four sentinel surveillance hospitals were collected and cultured each month. A total of 361 isolates of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were sero-typed and examined by real-time PCR for the presence of two major virulence genes, tdh and trh. Of 361 strains, 60 O3: K6 strains isolated from six suspected outbreaks in August, 2007 and in September, 2008 were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results 4384 stool samples were detected in four sentinel surveillance hospitals and with 361 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated that belonged to 28 serotypes. Serotype O3:K6, O4:K8 and O1:KUT accounted for 67.90%, 7.50% and 6.10%, respectively. Of 361 strains, 337 strains belonged to tdh + trh- , 11 strains were tdh-trh- and 13 strains were tdh + trh +. The most prevalent serotype which caused diarrheal diseases was tdh + trh-in Shenzhen. The 60 isolates were discriminated into twenty different PFGE patterns, which belonged to three clones. Among the 60 isolates, most of the PFGE patterns of isolates from the suspected outbreak locations were identical and some strains isolated from different year were different. Conclusion Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates in Shenzhen were dominated by O3:K6 strains. Most of these isolates carried tdh gene and few carried trh gene. Meanwhile, the identical patterns of isolates from 6 suspected outbreaks locations demonstrated that Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreaks occurred in July 2007 and in September 2008 in Shenzhen. However, the dominated strains' PFGE patterns were different each year, indicating that the sources of Vibrio parahaemolyticus had a multiplex nature and the multiplex sources such as water, sea food and pickled products should be integrated monitored. Laboratory based surveillance of diarrheal diseases could contribute in establishing early warning system for the better prevention and control of diarrheal diseases.

Objective To observe the visual outcomes of big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for the treatment of keratoconus using a femtosecond laser.Methods A total of 30 patients (50 affected eyes) with keratoconus were enrolled in the study by the self control observation method.All the patients were treated with femtosecond laser assisted DALK by large bubble method,and the curative effect was observed.Results All the 30 patients underwent the surgery successfully.In the early time after the surgery,the corneal grafts were transparent,the corneal physiological thickness was restored,and the grafts fitted the implant bed elastic layer well.The uncorrected visual acuity and the best corrected visual acuity on day 7,1 month,6 months and 1 year after surgery were higher than those before surgery (all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between above time points (all P ＞ 0.05).The corneal curvature and corneal astigmatism were significantly decreased after surgery,the thickness of the thinnest cornea was significantly increased after surgery (all P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the different time points after surgery (all P ＞ 0.05).The endothelial cell density before surgery and 1 year after surgery was (2989.34 ±294.52) · mm-2 and (2821.19 ±325.51) · mm-2,while loss rate of endothelial cell was (5.62 ± 0.56)％,but there was no significant difference between different time points after surgery (all P ＞ 0.05).There were no complications during the surgery,but wound dehiscence occurred in 1 eye,loose suture in 1 eye,and stromal rejection in 1 eye,and there was no other complication after surgery.Conclusion It is safe and effective of femtosecond-laser assisted DALK by a big-bubble method to treat keratoconus,and it is a good choice for patients with advanced keratoconus.