A strain of resistance to copper and cadmium with high concentration, named NTG-01, was isolated from soils of DaYe county mineral area in HuBei province. It can resist copper of 4.5mmol/L and cadmium of 2mmol/L , so we can say that it is a important strain used to study the resistance mechanism of copper and cadmium. A series of morphological and biochemical characteristics and sequences analysis of 16S rDNA reveal that it belongs to the bacteria and is gram negative, short rod, flagella around, the size of bacteria is about 0.8?m?2.0?m , V-P result shows positive, methyl-red result displays negative, and glucose can be utilized to produce acid and gas; In addition to, we find that it has the percent 99 homologous to Enterobacteraerogenes by 16S rDNA sequences BLAST analysis, plus the results of morphological and biochemical parameters, it belongs to Enterobacteraerogenes. We can conclude that NTG-01 has higher resistance to many different heavy metals by measuring MICs values of nine heavy metals at last.

Objective To investigate the relationship between refractory hypertension and renal hemodynamics in end stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients.Methods ESRD patients were classified into:patients with refractory hypertension (group A) and patients with normal blood pressure(group B).Renal hemodynamic indices were ex- amined by duplex ultrasonography.Fasting serum lipid (TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Lp(a),ox-LDL) and serum parathyroid hormane (PTH) were determined in all patients.Results Significant differences were found in renal hemodynamic indices such as peak systolic velocity (PSV),mean flow velocity (MV),pulsatility index (PI),renal- aortic ratio (RAR) and in clinical index such as Lp(a) and ox-LDL between the two group.Refractory hyperten- sion patients had lower renal hemodynamic indices and higher Lp(a) and ox-LDL levels than in patients with con- trolled BP.Logistic regression analysis revealed that refractory hypertension was related with PSV,EDV,Pl and RAR,but not relevant with sex,age,dialysis time,hematocrit,BUN,creatinine,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C, PTH,MV and RI.Conclusion Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and severe disorder in renal hemodynamics is likely the cause for refractory hypertention in ESRD patients.The rise of serum Lp(a) and ox-LDL might acceler- ate renal artery atherosclerosis.

Background Oxidative damage may cause the functional dysfunction and death of retinal vascular endothelial cells(RVECs),and further leads to the development of retinal vascular diseases.Fufang xueshuantong has a therapeutic effect on retinal vascular diseases,but little is known about its molecular mechanism.Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanism of fufang xueshuantong on injury of human RVECs induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP).Methods Human RVECs were isolated from healthy donor eyes and primarily cultured and then identified by flow cytometry.The third to fifth generations of cells were used in this experiments.The fufang xueshuantong solution of 0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L were added in the cuhure plate with 5 × 104/L cells respectively in the experimental groups,and t-BHP of 75,100,200 and 300 μ.mol/L were added in the model control groups.MTT was used to detect the A490and survival rate of RVECs.The apoptotic rate and death rate of the cells were evaluated by double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI.Morphology of human RVECs were examined using invert microscopy and Hoechst33258 staining.The expressions of nitro tyrosine (a marker of oxidative damage of protein)and 8-OHdG(a marker of oxidative damage of DNA)in human RVECs were assessed by the immunofluorescence staining.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factorkappa B(NF-KB),p53,bcl-2 and bax after 6,12,24 hours t-BHP action.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.Results No significant difference was found in A490value among the normal control group,0.0625,0.1250,0.2500,0.5000 and 1.0000 g/L fufang xueshuantong groups(F =1.989,P＞0.05).The survival rates of the cells were lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP groups compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t =14.57,13.82,21.51,32.64,P＜ 0.01).The percentages of normal cells were evidently lower in 75,100,200 and 300 μmol/L t-BHP compared with corresponding fufang xueshuantong groups(t=14.908,5.495,17.165,26.330,P＜0.01).The numbers of deformation and death of the human RVECs increased as the elevated concentration of t-BHP,but those in fufang xueshuantong groups were less than the t-BHP groups under the invert microscopy.Compared with t-BHP groups,the expressions of nitro tyrosine,8-OHdG,NF-KB,p53 and bax were lower but the expression of bcl-2 was higher in human RVECs with the statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Fufang xueshuantong at the concentration of 0.2500 g/L showed maximally protective effect on human RVECs.Conclusions Fufang xueshuantong protects human RVECs against the t-BHP-induced injury through downregulating the expression of NF-kB,p53,bax and up-regulating the express of the bcl-2 protein.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) modified protein on the permeability of endothelium monolayers and morphological changes of actin cytoskeleton. The roles of receptor for AGEs (RAGE), oxidant stress and the activation of p38 MAPK pathway in this pathological procedure were elucidated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)-derived cell line (ECV304) were incubated with AGEs modified human serum albumin (AGE-HSA) in concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml respectively, for 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. As control, HSA of the same concentration was administered to cells. Then TRITC-albumin was added to evaluate Pa value that reflects the permeability of endothelial monolayer. Furthermore, to visualize the morphological changes of actin cytoskeleton, the treated cells were incubated with rhodamine-phalloidin to stain F-actin. The results showed that the trans-endothelial membrane flux of albumin was significantly increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner upon the stimulation of AGE-HSA, accompanying with actin reorganization. The blockage of AGE and RAGE binding with anti-RAGE IgG and the pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase or p38 MAP kinase greatly attenuated the AGE-induced hyperpermeability response, respectively. These results indicate that RAGE, NADPH oxidase and p38 MAPK are possibly involved in the mediation of AGEs-induced barrier dysfunction and actin cytoskeleton reorganization in endothelial cells.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Capillary Permeability ; physiology ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; physiology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the imaging features of MR Imaging (MRI) and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and their clinical value in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSMRI was performed in 54 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma proved surgically and pathologically, MRCP in 44 patients, Gadolinium-enhanced in 29 patients. MRI, MRCP and pathological findings were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSBy MRI, the mass was shown (n = 39) and all bile duct thickened (n = 13) in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Gadolinium-enhanced ones revealed calcified focus (n = 22). By MRCP, interrupted, abruptly cut-off or cone-like changes of the bile duct (n = 16), beak-like or mouse tail changes (n = 26) or tumbler mouth appearance (n = 2) were shown. The bile duct distal to the obstruction was observed in 29 patients. Of the 54 patients examined by MRI in combination with MRCP, correct tumor localization was made in 52 (96.3%) and correct judgement of tumor nature in 50 (92.6%).

CONCLUSIONConventional MRI is an effective supplement to MRCP in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MRCP combined with MRI is able to significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of MR examination.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; pathology ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the role of the HBV-infected mothers' PBMC in intrauterine transmission of HBV to their fetuses.

METHODSThirty pregnant women with serum HBV DNA negative and PBMC HBV DNA positive and their newborns were used as the study group. Ten pregnant women with serum HBV negative and their infants served as the control group. HBV DNA in serum and in PBMC was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR). The mothers' PBMC in newborns' peripheral blood was examined using heminested-PCR.

RESULTSFour newborns were serum HBV DNA positive and 8 newborns were HBV DNA positive in PBMC in the study group. Among them, 2 newborns were HBV DNA positive in both serum and PBMC, 6 cases were positive in PBMC only, and 2 cases were positive in serum only. Five mothers had the GSTM1 gene; and it was not detected in 3 newborns. Among the 8 newborns with HBV DNA positive in PBMC, 3 did not have the GSTM1 gene, at the same time their mothers possessed the GSTM1 gene. Mothers' PBMC were detected in all of these three newborns' peripheral blood. HBV DNA in serum and in PBMC of the control group infants were all negative.

CONCLUSIONHBV-infected PBMC of the mother may serve as a vector in HBV intrauterine infection.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; virology

BACKGROUNDThere were some papers published in the Jonrnal of Science, December 2000 suggesting that one or more important susceptibility genes for late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) were located on the long arm of chromosome 10. Linkage analysis showed maximum lod score close to D10S1225 loci, which indicated the loci might contribute to the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSFifty-nine LOAD patients and 107 controls were recruited. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes were determined by reverse dot blotting hybridization assay. The D10S1225 was genotyped by 12% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels electrophoresis and analyzed by silver staining. Statistical analysis was used to compare genotype and allele distributions between LOAD group and control group for ApoE and D10S1225 polymorphisms.

RESULTSApoE epsilon 4 was significantly higher in LOAD group in comparison with the control group (chi(2) = 6.530, P = 0.011). Seven different alleles of D10S1225 have been identified. The length of these gene fragments were 178 bp, 181 bp, 184 bp, 187 bp, 190 bp, 193 bp, and 196 bp, respectively. A total of 21 different genotypes were observed. There was no relationship between D10S1225 polymorphism and LOAD (chi(2) = 4.488, P > 0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that ApoE epsilon 4 is a risk factor for LOAD, however, the results indicated that there is not any possible linkage for disequilibria with a nearby AD risk gene near D10S1225.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Child ; Fibula ; transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Periosteum ; transplantation ; Wrist Joint ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of Yifei Huoxue Granule (, YFHXG) on the hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and its mechanism of decreasing pulmonary arterial pressure.

METHODSTwenty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: saline, and 0.66, 3.30 and 16.50 g/kg of YFHXG groups, the saline and different concentrations of YFHXG were given twice daily for 7 days, respectively. Serum-pharmacology method was used in the preparation of YFHXG serum. Tissue block anchorage was employed in the primary culture of rat PASMCs. The PASMCs were randomly divided into normoxia group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+YFHXG group (0.66, 3.30 and 16.50 g/kg doses of YFHXG-treated serum groups, exposed to hypoxic condition). PASMCs in normoxia and hypoxia group were cultured with saline serum, hypoxia+YFHXG groups were cultured with different concentrations of YFHXG serum. Cell viability was assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry. In addition, hypoxia inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1α) protein expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry analysis, the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM).

RESULTSMTT assay and flow cytometry showed that hypoxia could directly activate the proliferation of PASMCs, while YFHXG dose-dependently inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs. Immunocytochemistry showed that hypoxia enhanced HIF-1α protein expression, and LSCM showed that hypoxia significantly increased intracellular ROS and Ca(2+), while YFHXG decreased the expression of HIF- 1α and attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in intracellular concentration of ROS and Ca(2+).

CONCLUSIONSYFHXG could inhibit hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs, which may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular remodeling. The anti-hypoxia effect of YFHXG may be explained by its regulation of HIF-1α expression and of the levels of intracellular ROS and Ca(2+).

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism