Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease worldwide, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the direct cause of this disease. In recent years, as an essential part of its evolutionary process, HBV mutation has been extensively studied domestically and globally. However, the study on the conserved sequences in HBV sequences is still in its infancy. In this study, we applied multiple EM for motif elicitation (MEME) algorithm to discover HBV motif and proposed a new metric, conservative index (CI), to carry out phylogenetic analysis based on HBV sequences. Then, the constructed phylogenetic tree was subjected to reliability assessment. The results demonstrated that the new metric CI combined with the MEME algorithm can effectively help to discover motifs in HBV sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree based on them and to analyze the evolutionary relationship between HBV sequences; in addition, the possible ancestral sequences of samples may be obtained by conservative analysis. The proposed method is valuable for the exploratory study on large HBV sequence data sets.
Computational Biology ; Conserved Sequence ; Evolution, Molecular ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleotide Motifs ; Phylogeny ; Reproducibility of Results

Adult ; Endoscopy ; Epistaxis ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; surgery ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic ; complications ; surgery

OBJECTIVE To realize the status and the impact factors of nosocomial infection among Jizheng patients.METHODS To investigate 562 former inpatients suffered from Jizheng in hospital from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005.RESULTS The incidence rates of nosocomial infection that calculated by the patients and the cases were 14.59% and 16.55%,respectively.Infection mostly occurred on the 22nd day in hospital on average.The main infection sites were lower respiratory tract(48.78%),urinary tract(15.85%),and alimentary tract(12.20%).The most risk factor was aging.CONCLUSIONS The high incidence of nosocomial infection is due to various factors.We should take measures respectively aiming at different factors to reduce the occurrence of nosocomial infection.

Hepatitis B is one of the most serious global threats to human health. Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can reveal the evolutionary relationship between HBV sequences and thus provide a basis for the prediction and treatment of hepatitis B and other aspects. In this study, we performed sequence analyses on the HBV sequences of five clinical HBV samples and the HBV sequences retrieved from the GenBank, EMBL, and DDBJ to construct a phylogenetic tree and analyze sequence structures. The experimental results revealed that the C gene of one cloned sequence had a recombinant structure of HBV B/ C subtype. Moreover, the phylogenetic results proved the existence of a newly found subtype HBV/B6 in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan Province, China. The experimental conclusion represents certain value for phylogenetic studies of HBV in Yunnan ethnic minority groups.
DNA, Recombinant ; genetics ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genotyping Techniques ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Phylogeny

BACKGROUND:More recently, the focus has been on searching for a compound Chinese medicine for reinforcing kidney, which cannot only inhibit bone absorption, but also promote osteogenesis to protect against osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore effects of drug serum of Jianbuhuqian pil s on proliferation and function of osteoblast-like cel s in vitro. METHODS:Twenty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose and normal saline groups, and given intragastric administration of 1.5, 3.0, and 6 g/kg Jianbuhuqian pills and equal volume of normal saline, respectively twice daily for 1 week. At 1 hour after final gavage, rats were decapitated to prepare drug sera used for culturing osteoblast-like cells. At 24, 48 and 72 hours of culture, the cellular morphology was observed, as well as the cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity was detected by MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase staining, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal saline group, the cel density began to increase significantly in three Jianbuhuqian groups at 24 hours after culture, mitotic figures were easy to be observed, cel s were in overlapping growth, much secretions and matrix accumulation appeared, especial y in the high-dose group. The obsorbance values in Jianbuhuqian groups were significantly higher than that in the normal saline group. After 24 hours of culture, the obsorbance values in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly increased compared with the low-dose group, and the values showed significant differences among three Jianbuhuqian groups after 48 and 72-hour culture. In addition, the alkaline phosphatase activity presented overt increase in the Jianbuhuqian groups compared with the normal saline group, and significant differences could be found among Jianbuhuqian groups. To conclude, the drug serum of Jianbuhuqian pil s can promote the activity of osteoblast-like cel s in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.

Objective Streptococcus pneumoniae can form biofilms .The aim of this study was to investigate the biofilm forma-tion of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the relationship with antibiotic resistance of penicillin etc . Methods A total of 147 clinical iso-lates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected from 7 teaching hospitals in Nanjing from 2010 to 2012.Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin, erythromycin, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone were determined by agar dilution method .Streptococcus pneumoniae with various penicillin MIC was selected randomly as follow:MIC≤0.065μg/mL, 0.5μg/mL, 2μg/mL and≥4μg/mL, which was incuba-ted to form biofilms in 96-well plates and 24-well plates for 24 hours.The A values at 570 nm was measured and the biofilm was observed through confocal laser scanning microscope ( CLSM) . Results The biofilm semi-quantitative detection and CLSM both displayed that all strains formed biofilms.The A value of the group which penicillin MIC was ≤0.065μg/mL (0.228 ±0.063) was higher than the 0.5μg/mL group (0.200 ±0.061) and the≥4μg/mL group (0.186 ±0.050) (P<0.05) , and there was no difference among the groups which penicillin MIC were 0.5μg/mL, 2μg/mL and≥4μg/mL, respectively (P>0.05).The A value of the group which erythromycin MIC was ≤0.5μg/mL (0.211 ±0.068) was higher than the ≥4μg/mL group (0.201 ±0.052) (P>0.05).The A value of the group sensitive to cefuroxime (0.216 ±0.062) was higher than the group resistant to cefuroxime (0.196 ±0.054) (P<0.05). Conclusion Streptococcus pneumoniae can form biofilms .Streptococcus pneumoniae with high antibiotics MIC has a trend of weakened biofilm formation .

Objective To explore the effects of theophylline plus salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination product (SFC) on clinical control,lung function and airway inflammation in asthmatics.Methods A total of 146 asthmatics received 200 mg theophylline plus 50/250 μg SFC twice daily for 24 weeks.The level of asthma control was assessed by the asthma control test.Testing of lung function and inflammatory markers in induced sputum were performed.And 142 asthmatics received 50/250 μg SFC twice daily for 24 weeks as control.Results Asthma was completely controlled in 61 and 59 in the theophylline plus SFC and SFC groups respectively after a 24-week treatment period (P ＞ 0.05).Theophylline plus SFC improved the FEF25％ 75％ value,indicating small airway function,to a greater extent than SFC [(66.7 ± 18.2) ％ & (56.6 ± 17.4) ％,P ＜ 0.01].Percentage of eosinophil and concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in induced sputum were significantly lower in the theophylline plus SFC group than those in the SFC group [(4.1 ±2.3)％ vs.(6.2±2.7)％ & (63.9±39.4) vs.(90.3 ±46.2) μg/Lrespeetively] (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The therapy of theophylline plus SFC may provide greater improvements in small airway function and airway inflammation.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms and proliferation inhibitory effects of atractylenolide Ⅰ on SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cell.Methods SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells were treated with atractylenolide I with various concentrations at 24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours,and the changes in proliferation were detected by MTT assay.The cell cycles were measured by PI staining and flow cytometry,and the expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK1 were detected by ELISA assay.Western blot was then applied to investigate the effects of atractylenolide Ⅰ on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells.Results Atractylenolide I could significantly inhibit the proliferation of SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells,and its inhibitory effects were concentration and time dependent.In addition,atractylenolide I could also significantly reduce the proportion of cells in S phase and increase the proportion of cells in G2/M phase,and these effects were associated with the down-regulation of CDK1.The results of Western blot indicated that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was involved in the inhibitory effects of atractylenolide Ⅰ on proliferation and cell cycle.Conclusion Atractylenolide I can down-regulate the expression of CDK1 in ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells through PI3K/AKT pathway,which led to cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase,and played an important role in proliferation inhibition of tumor cells.

Objective To explore the pathogenic bacteria species of the patients with lactation acute mammitis and their sensitivities to antibiotics in order to provide a guideline in choosing antibiotics reasonably. Methods Four hundred and thirty-three samples from diseased breast(include milk,puncture fluid and secretion in ulcerateing skin)from 310 patients with lactation acute mammitis,who were treated by the center of mammary gland of Maternal and Child Health Care of Haidian district in BeiJing from Jan. to Aug. in 2012. Statistics analysis was made to analysis the pathogenic bacteria species and the characteristics of drug sensitivity. Results (1)Of the 433 samples,407 strains of pathogens were picked out,which consisted of 215 strains of Staphylococcus aureus(SAU),43 strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus( MRSA),43 strains of coagulase negative staphylococcus(CNS),42 strains of Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus epidermis (MRSE),22 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis(SE),12 strains of Methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci(MRScon)and 8 strains of Alpha hemolytic streptococcus.(2)There were 237 strains of G +bacteria,and the drug sensitive test showed that they were all sensitive to vancomycin(100% ),91. 8% were sensitive to penicillin,57. 0% to clindamycin( CLDM))and 69. 0% to erythrocin. Meanwhile,94. 0% were sensitive to levofloxacin,70. 0% to cephalosporins,and 80. 0% to gentamicin. In addition,there were 43 MRSA, and drug sensitivity test showed that 95. 0% were sensitive to levofloxacin,96. 0% to gentamicin,97. 0% to macrodantin,and 92. 0% to cotrimoxazole. Meanwhile,it's drug resistance rate to erythrocin was 13. 0% and 15. 0% to clindamycin( CLDM). MRSA was completely resistant to Lactam antibiotics( 100% ) such as penicillin and Cephalosporins,95. 0% to levofloxacin,96. 0% to gentamicin,97. 0% to furadantin and 92. 0% to bactrim. Conclusion The predominant pathogenic bacteria of lactation acute mammitis include SAU,MRSA, MRSA,CNS,MRSE,SE and they are all the G + bacteria. They are showed with a high rate of drug resistance, especially for the sensitive drugs which had been proved in the past. Due attention should be paid to germiculture from diseased breast and drug sensitive test as soon as possible,and to provide a guideline in choosing antibiotics reasonably.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlationship between platelet count and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODSA total of 356 patients with confirmed diagnosis of active RA from 9 clinical centers were randomly assigned to the TCM group (184 cases) and the WM group (172 cases). The TCM group was treated with basic therapy (administration of glucosidorum tripterygll totorum and Yishen Juanbi Pill) and TCM syndrome differentiation dependent treatment, while the WM group was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed with ACR20, the joint damage degree of both hands was evaluated by X-ray.

RESULTSThe platelet count was positively correlated to the X- ray grading of joint damage, namely, patients with a more severe joint damage often presented a higher platelet count. After treatment, in patients with joint damage of X-ray grade II or III and effectively treated with TCM, also in patients with joint damage of grade III and effectively treated with WM, the platelet count was lower than that in those treated ineffectively.

CONCLUSIONPlatelet count is closely correlated to the efficacy of drug therapy, therefore, it may be taken as an important index for judging the curative effect of therapeutic approach in treating RA patients.

Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Platelet Count ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry