Using the high efficient copper-adsorbing yeast strain Y17 as absorbing material, the major affect factors including pH, original concentration of Cu2+, cell biomass, adsorption time and temperature were examined, and then the absorbing sites of the Y17 was determined. The results showed that the solution pH was the most dominate factor which affected the biosorption of Cu2+, the other affecting factors were the ini- tial concentration of Cu2+, the cell biomass added, and adsorption time, respectively; the temperature had lit- tle effect on the rate of biosorption. The orthogonal experiment showed that the optimal absorption condition was as follow: the solution pH was 5.0, the absorption time was 40 min, the cell biomass of Y17 added was 5.0 g/L, and the concentration of Cu2+ was 8 mmol/L; the highest adsorbing rate was up to 82.7% at this condition. Based on the results of different pretreatments and the desorption of Cu2+, the cell wall of Y17 was identified as the main place occurring boisorption process, and the -NH2 group, -COOH group on the surface of the yeast cells played an important role on the boisorption process.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for the recovery of walking ability and comprehensive function after thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Sixty patients with SCIs in a thoracolumbar segment were assigned to a treatment group or a control group with 30 in each.Both groups received similar conventional rehabilitation training,but the patients in the treatment group were additionally treated with BWSTT (30 to 40 min,once daily,5 d/week,30 days for a course,a total 3 courses).The American Spinal Injury Association lower-extremity motor function assessment (ASIA),a functional comprehensive assessment (FCA),the walking ability assessment from the FCA (WA) and the modified Barthel index (MB1) were used in the assessment of the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were no significant differences in the two groups＇ average ASIA,FCA,WA or MBI results before treatment.After treatment ASIA,FCA,WA and MBI scores had all increased significantly in the treatment group compared with before treatment,and were significantly higher than in the control group.Conclusion As a supplement to conventional rehabilitation,BWSTT can improve walking ability and comprehensive function significantly after thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.

The DNA fragment sized 2 139bp, the same Sequence with AtKup1 gene from Arabidopsis thalianna was used as the templates for DNA family shuffling. The shuffeld AtKup1 gene library was expressed in the mutant of 5. cerevisae in which potassium transporter gene TRK1 and TRK2 were knocked out by homologous recombination. Then the screening was carried out in the low potassium media containing 5. 0 mmol/L KC1 and no histidine in it. it was found that both of diverse and wild AtKup1 gene can rescues the trk1△trk2△yeast mutant strain in low [ K + ] medium. The growth of 2 clones yeast containing diverse AtKup1 were beter than that of AtKup1 wild gene transformant. The sequencig results of the shuffeld AtKup1 showed that there were 2 nucleotide changed, which resulted in 2 amino acid variations in it compared with the original AtKup1. The potassium uptaking capacity of shuffled AtKup1 gene increased significantly when it was transformed into tobacco.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene (MMP9) polymorphism is associated with the onset or progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in Chinese Han female.

METHODSThree single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs17576, rs2250889, rs1805088) were genotyped through TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay in 190 AIS patients and 190 controls, all of whom were females from Chinese Han population with matched age. Analyses performed included Hardy Weinberg equilibrium test, Pearson chi-square test, Logistic regression analysis, linkage disequilibrium analysis and haplotype analysis. The mean maximum Cobb angles with different genotypes in case-only dataset were also compared.

RESULTSAll 3 SNPs have reached Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the controls. Genotype and allele frequencies of all SNPs were found similar between cases and controls by Pearson chi-square test and Logistic regression. Genotype-phenotype analysis showed that patients with CC genotype in rs2250889 featured larger maximum Cobb angles.

CONCLUSIONMMP9 may not be a predisposition gene of AIS in Han female. However, homozygous mutation in rs2250889 can render scoliosis more severe, implying that MMP9 defect may result in deterioration of AIS.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; China ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Scoliosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo detect the content of estrogen and progesterone in commercial milk in China and to compare the differences between commercial cows and traditional cows in the content of estrogen and progesterone of the milk, the breeding of cows and the process of milk production.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to investigate the estrone, estradiol and progesterone in commercial and traditional milk, and literature review and field investigation was used to compare the differences of breeding and milk production.

RESULTSThe mean concentration of estrone, estradiol and progesterone in Mongolian traditional cow milk was (98.5 +/- 12.4) pg/ml, (24.6 +/- 3.0) pg/ml and (0.2 +/- 0.3) ng/ml, respectively. The concentrations of estrone were (150.2 +/- 8.4), (131.3 +/- 16.3) and (128.9 +/- 13.0) pg/ml; The concentrations of estradiol were (35.4 +/- 2.2), (30.3 +/- 3.1) and (30.0 +/- 2.0) pg/ml; The concentrations of progesterone were (20.2 +/- 1.5), (18.1 +/- 2.2) and (16.5 +/- 2.4) ng/ ml, respectively. The content of estrogen and progesterone in commercial milks were higher than that in traditional milks (estrone comparison: t = 5.43, 19.23, 5.89; estradiol comparison: t = 4.14, 4.93, 14.03; progesterone comparison: t = 28.47, 32.73, 22.82; P < 0.05). Mongolian traditional cows did not lactate during the latter half of pregnancy. However, modern commercial cows might lactate almost in an entire period of pregnancy. Moreover, the lactating period was longer and milk production was higher in modern commercial cows than that in traditional cows.

CONCLUSIONSThe content of estrogen and progesterone in commercial milk in Chinese market detected might be higher than that in traditional milk.

Animals ; Cattle ; Estrogens ; analysis ; Female ; Milk ; chemistry ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells(Treg cells) on mouse gastric cancer.

METHODSTreg cell in mouse spleen bearing gastric tumor was tested in different time points. Magic cell sorting(MACS) method was used to purify mouse Treg cells and the Treg cells were injected into mouse bearing gastric tumor with different dosage. After 3 weeks, the tumor size and tumor cell apoptosis rate were measured.

RESULTSTreg existed in normal mouse spleen with a rate of (3.86+/-0.07)%. In tumor model this percentage increased gradually and was (4.12+/-0.13)% after 3 weeks, which was significantly higher than that in control. When Treg cell applied in mouse reached 2.0 x 10(5), the tumor size enlarged significantly(P=0.013) and tumor cell apoptosis rate decreased significantly (P=0.012).

CONCLUSIONSTreg cell is associated with gastric cancer progress in mouse tumor model. Treg cell can promote gastric cancer growth and decrease tumor apoptosis. The anti- Treg GITR can improve anti- tumor effects.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spleen ; cytology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation.

METHODSSixteen patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were treated from Dec. 2005 to June 2007, included 10 males and 6 females, aged from 38 to 45 years old (means 40.5 years). Among them 12 patients combined with nerve injury, according to ASIA grade: there were 3 cases in grade B, 5 cases in grade C, 4 cases in grade D. All patients received preoperative CT, radiograph and skull traction. Intraoperative posterior approach general spine pedicle screw-rod orthopaedics fixation system used and iliac bone block were implanted in space of posterior atlantal arch and axial vertebral plate. The outcome and complications were observed in the near future.

RESULTSThere was no vascular or neural injury found. The patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (means 18 months). All head pain, acid storm symptoms were improved after operation. According to the Odom's clinical efficacy evaluation standard, 12 cases were excellent, 4 were good. Eleven cases of 12 with nerve injury recovered significantly. By ASIA classification: 1 cases was in grade B, 2 cases were in grade C, 5 cases were in grade D, 4 cases were in grade E. No looseness or breakage of screw occurred. Bony fusion was achieved in all cases.

CONCLUSIONPosterior approach atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation have the advantages of direct screw placement, short-segment fusion, intraoperative reduction, fixation reliable, high fusion rate, and it can restablish the upper cervical vertebrae stability and help to recover the spinal cord and nerve function.

Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study is to investigate the function of a novel potassium transporter gene (NrHAK1) isolated from Nicotiana rustica roots using yeast complement and real-time PCR technique. The complementary DNA (cDNA) of NrHAK1, 2 488 bp long, contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 2 334 bp encoding a protein of 777 amino acids (87.6 kDa) with 12 predicted transmembrane domains. The NrHAK1 protein shows a high sequence similarity to those of high-affinity potassium transporters in Mesembryanthemum, Phytolacca acinosa, Arabidopsis thaliana, and so on. We found that the NrHAK1 gene could complement the yeast-mutant defect in K+ uptake. Among several tissues surveyed, the expression level of NrHAK1 was most abundant in the root tip and was up-regulated when exposed to potassium starvation. Moreover, the transcript accumulation was significantly reduced by adding 5 mmol/L NH4+ to the solution. These results suggest that NrHAK1 plays an important role in potassium absorption in N. rustica.
Cation Transport Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sodium ; pharmacology ; Tobacco ; genetics ; metabolism

Occurance of atrophic nonunion is a complex process. Previous studies suggested that atrophic nonunion was mainly due to lack of blood supply of fracture fragments, but recent studies found that blood supply was not deficiency in middle and late stages, indicating that decreased osteogenic factors and blood supply in early stages might play an important role in morbidity. Current effective treatment measures for atrophic nonunion mainly include bone graft and fixation,physical therapy, local injection therapy. All-round preventive could reduce incidence of atrophic nonunion. Atrophic nonunion is still a troublesome complication of fractures in orthopaedics, and more attention should be paid for its effective prevention and treatment. The paper summarized recent original articles about atrophic nonunion and reviewed the occurrence mechanisms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment measures of this disease.
Atrophy ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Fracture Healing ; drug effects ; Fractures, Bone ; pathology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of RhoC, CD44v6 and ICAM-1 in gastric cancer and their correlations.

METHODSSABC immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of RhoC, CD44v6 and ICAM-1 in the specimens from 40 cases with gastric cancer. Their correlations were reviewed by clinicopathological data.

RESULTSThe expression of RhoC, CD44v6 and ICAM-1 were not correlated with tumor differentiation and invasion depth (P> 0.05), but significantly correlated with lymph metastasis and pTNM stage (P< 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expression of RhoC and the expression of CD44v6 or ICAM-1 (r=0.355, P=0.006; r=0.354, P=0.003) respectively. If RhoC was positive-expressed, and either of CD44v6 or ICAM-1 was positive-expressed, the sensitivity and the specificity for predicting the lymphatic metastasis was 93.75%, 62.5% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe positive expressions of RhoC, CD44v6 and ICAM-1 are useful biological markers for predicting the metastatic potential of gastric cancer. The combined detection of three markers is a useful method for predicting lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; rhoC GTP-Binding Protein