AIM: To construct prokaryotic expression vector of His-tagged human IP-10 for further study of its biological function in the inflammatory response. METHODS: The coding sequence of IP-10 lacking signal peptide was amplified from human lung cDNA library by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the fragment was cloned into pET-14b plasmid for the construction of His-tagged fusion protein expressing vector, pET-14b/IP-10. After being identified by enzyme digestion and sequencing, the recombinant vector was transformed into a strain of E. coli, BL21 (DE_3). The expression of His-tagged fusion protein was induced with IPTG and purified with Ni+-NTA affinity chromatography. Then the chemotactic activity of IP-10 was determined by transwell migration assay on THP-1 cells. RESULTS: The construction of pET-14b/IP-10 recombinant vector was proved by enzyme digestion and sequencing. The fusion protein IP-10, which was purified by a routine Ni+ affinity method, had an activity on the induction of cell migration of THP-1. CONCLUSION: We successfully construct IP-10 fusion protein expressing vector and get the fusion protein with high bioactivity, which provides essential materials for the future studies on IP-10.

OBJECTIVETo dicuss the application and therapeutic effect of middle-forearm flap based on perforator of ulnar artery for electrical burn wound on the wrist.

METHODSFrom Oct. 2009 to Oct. 2012, 10 cases of electrical burn wounds on the wrist were treated. A line from radialis medial epicondyle of humerus to the interior radialis pisiform bone was connected as flap axis. At the midpoint of the line, Doppler flow imaging meter was used to detect the emerging point of perforator vessel. The flap was designed and harvested. The flap was transferred reversely, with superficial vein retaining which was anastomosed with vein at recipient sites in 3 cases. The wounds in the donor sites were closed directly in 2 cases, and with skin graft in 8 cases.

RESULTSAll the 10 flaps survived completely. 7 cases without vein anastomosis underwent obvious flap edema during 2-4 days postoperatively, which resovled 1 week later. Sub-flap tissue necrosis and infection happened in 2 cases, which healed after dressing and drainage. Patients were followed up for 3-36 months with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSThe middle-forearm flap based on perforator of ulnar artery has a stable and reliable blood supply. It offers a new choice for the electric burn wound on the wrist, especially at the ulnar side.

Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Forearm ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Ulnar Artery ; Wrist Injuries ; surgery

AIM: To construct the plasmid vectors containing different regions of human eNOS promoter coupled to a red fluorescent protein reporter gene, which may express in mammalian cells. METHODS: Different regions of human eNOS promoter were subcloned respectively into a red fluorescent protein vector, pDsRed1-1. These recombinant vectors, pDsF1033Red, pDsF494Red and pDsF166Red, were then transfected into NIH3T3 cell lines, followed by the observation under a fluorescent microscope. RESULTS: After identified to be right by double restriction enzyme digestion, PCR and sequencing, the vectors might be effectively expressed in NIH3T3 cells. 95 % of the red fluorescent emitted by a red fluorescent protein dispersed all over the cells, appearing at 48-60 h after transfection, reaching peak at 96-144 h, becoming the strongest in light at 144 h, gradually disappearing after 168 h and remaining little red fluorescent in 21 days. The quantity and intensity in expressions of red fluorescent protein drived by different regions of human eNOS promoter were clearly lower than by a strong promoter, p CMVIE . CONCLUSION: The red fluorescent protein reporter gene vectors containing different regions of human eNOS promoter are successfully constructed and may efficaciously express in mammalian cells, appearing not strong transcriptional activities, which provide practical and feasible tools to study functions of different regions of human eNOS promoter and roles of cis-elements in it. [