Bibliometrics ; Financial Management ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Periodicals as Topic ; Research Support as Topic

Objective To assess the antimicrobial actitivity of econazole nitrate in comparison with other six antibacterial drugs. Methods The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of econazole nitrate (Eco), neomycin (Neo), erythromycin (E), penicillin (P), cefotaxime sodium (Cef), ciprofloxacin (Cip) and amikacin (An) to 222 strains of Staphylococcus spp isolated from the lesions of patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis were determined by using the broth dilution method. Results MIC50 values of Eco were similar to Neo, Cip, An and Cef, and lower than those of P and E on methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA); significantly lower than those of the other six antibacterial drugs on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); similar to An, Cip and P, and lower than those of Neo, Cef and E on methicillin-sensitive and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MSCNS); and similar to An, Cip P or Neo, and lower than Cef and E on methicillin-resistant and coagulase negative Staphylococus (MRCNS). Based on the NCCLS standards, the resistance rates of Cip, P and E were very high to either Staphylococcus areus or coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). The resistance rates of An and Cef of were lower to MSSA, but higher than 50% to MRSA. MIC90 value of Eco was similar to its MIC50, and lower than the MIC value reported in the literature. The MIC90 value of neomycin was muich higher than the MIC50 value of econazole. Conclusion Econazole nitrate has antibacterial activity to both Staphylococcus areus and CNS. MIC90 value of Eco is similar to its MIC50, and no resistance to Eco was found.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin,an effective component of cordyceps militaris, on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and its related eIF2α/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

METHODFirstly, 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group (Group A), the model group (Group B) and the cordycepin-treated group (Group C). After renal interstitial fibrotic model was successfully established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the mice in Group C were intraperitoneally administrated with cordycepin(5 mg x kg(-1) d(-1)) and the ones in Group A and B were administrated with physiological saline for 5 days. At the end of the study, the obstructed kidneys were collected and detected for the pathological changes of RIF, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney by Northern blot. Secondly, after renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells cultured in vitro were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF) -β with or without cordycepin, the mRNA expressions of Col I and collagen type IV( Col IV) by Northern blot, and the protein expressions of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α ( p-eIF2α), Smad2/3 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were tested by Western blot.

RESULTIn vivo, cordycepin alleviated RIF in model mice, including improving fibrotic pathological characteristics and mRNA expressions of Col I and α-SMA. In vitro, cordycepin induced the high expression of p-elF2α, and inhibited the expressions of p-Smad2/3, Col I and Col IV induced by TGF-β in NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONCordycepin attenuates RIF in vivo and in vitro, probably by inducing the phosphorylation of eIF2α, suppressing the expression of p-Smad2/3, a key signaling molecule in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, and reducing the expressions of collagens and α-SMA in the kidney.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Deoxyadenosines ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo test the salivary immunoglobulin A antibody activity to Streptococcus mutans in normal with in acid environment.

METHODSStreptococcus mutans strains were isolated from 20 volunteers, serotyped by biochemical test and PCR, and genotyped by AP-PCR. Unstimulated secretions from submandibular glands and sublingual glands were collected from volunteers by modified collectors. Each identified Streptococcus mutans genotype was cultured in two groups: control group was cultured in BHI broth pH7.2 at 37 degrees C for 2 h; acid shock group were cultured in TYEG broth (pH5.5) at 37 degrees C for 2 h. Analysis of SIgA activity to Streptococcus mutans genotypes in different groups was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) The SIgA of each individual could response to his own Streptococcus mutans strains and the reference strains; (2) The same individual had different SIgA activity to different genotype strains; (3) There were no significant difference between acid groups and control groups, in spite that some bands had strong or weak intensity.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough Streptococcus mutans could express acid shock proteins in stress, the present study suggests that these new proteins have no qualitative effect on the reaction of SIgA to Streptococcus mutans.

Adult ; Dental Plaque ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; immunology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saliva ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct and detect the targeted anti-caries fusion DNA vaccine pGJA-P encoding the A-P fragment of pac, glu fragment of gtfB and extracellular region of the human CTLA4 and the Fc region of human Iggamma(1) gene for the targeting antigen to APC.

METHODSThe extracellular region of the human CTLA4 and the Fc region of human Iggamma(1) genes were amplified by RT-PCR from human lymphocytes, and the genes were cloned into pUC(m-T) vector respectively. After sequencing, Fc region of human Iggamma(1) gene was cloned to the downstream of CTLA4 gene fragment as the recombinant plasmid pGJ. The fusion gene was then inserted into the plasmid pGLUA-P to get the recombinant plasmid pGJA-P. The CHO cells were transfected with liposome and the expression of fusion protein in cultured supernatants were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe plasmids pGJ and pGJA-P carried the CTLA4-Ig fusion gene and CTLA4-Ig fusion gene, A-P fragment of pac gene and glu fragment of gtfB gene respectively. The expressed protein could response to specific anti-PAc antibody.

CONCLUSIONThe targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGJA-P is constructed successfully and expressed in eukaryotic cells correctly.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; Antigens, Differentiation ; genetics ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Glucosyltransferases ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo detect the immunoreactivity of targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGJA-P in vitro, and the ability to enhance the immune responses compared with the non-targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGLUA-P.

METHODSThe CHO cells were transfected with pGJA-P and the expression of recombinant protein in cultured supernatants were detected using Western blotting. 5 to 6-month-old female Japanese rabbits were immunized with either pGJA-P or pGLUA-P via either intramuscular injection (i.m.) or intranasal route (i.n.). The sera and saliva were collected and the antibody responses were checked by ELISA. The effect of immune sera on the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase of S. mutans was examined.

RESULTSThe expressed protein could response to specific anti-GTF antibody. The antibody responses in serum generated by pGJA-P via i.m. were significantly higher than those generated by pGLUA-P (P < 0.01). The antibody responses in saliva generated by pGJA-P via i.n. were significantly higher than those generated by pGLUA-P (P < 0.01). The higher mucosal antibody response induced by pGJA-P via i.m. compared with pGLUA-P (P < 0.01) was detected. The immune sera of rabbits immunized by pGJA-P via i.m. most significantly inhibited the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant protein expressed by pGJA-P had the immunoreactivity to anti-GTF antibody. pGJA-P could induce faster and higher specific mucosal SIgA antibody responses via i.n. or serum IgG antibody responses via i.m. compared with non-targeted DNA vaccine, pGLUA-P. High titres of specific mucosal antibodies were found in rabbits immunized with pGJA-P via i.m. The immune sera of rabbits immunized by pGJA-P via i.m. displayed the ability of inhibiting the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase.

Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glucosyltransferases ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; immunology ; Transfection ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology

To analyse the familial aggregation and genetic predisposition of Shen-yin deficiency syndrome (SYDS) in families with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Methods One hundred and forty-one DM2 patients were collected from 32 family lines in Nanjin area, in which the probands were differentiated as DM2 with SYDS. On them, genetic analysis on the characteristics of SYDS was conducted using pedigree analysis, morbidity and heritability of the first-degree relatives of the probands were calculated, and the action of familial SYDS factor on the genesis of the syndrome was assessed by multiple factors regression analysis. Results The morbidity rate of SYDS in the first-degree relatives of the probands was 33.71%, and the heritability, calculated by Falconer formula, was 80.6%. The fitting result of regression analysis showed that familial factor played an important role in SYDS genesis (OR = 5.61, P = 0.001), but DM2 itself is not an independent risk factor for it. Conclusion DM2 with SYDS shows the tendency of familial aggregation and genetic predisposition, genetic factor is associated with the genesis of the syndrome. Pedigree research is a good method for exploring the relationship between syndrome and genetic factor.
Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pedigree ; Yin Deficiency ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate and compare the expression pattern and level of targeted anti-caries plasmids encoding different-size antigens in eukaryotic cells.

METHODSThe A-P fragment of PAc (surface protein antigen) was removed from pGJA-P encoding the signal peptide, extracellular domains of human CTLA-4, human Ig hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains, A-P fragment of PAc and GLU (glucan binding domain) region of GTF-I of Streptococcus mutans, to obtain the plasmid pGJGLU. pCI vector skeleton of pGJA-P or pGJGLU was replaced by pVAX1 to construct plasmids pGJA-P/VAX and pGJGLU/VAX. CTLA4-Ig-GLU fragment was removed from pGJGLU and inserted into the vector pEGFP-N1 to obtain the recombinant plasmid pGJGLU/GFP. The CHO cells were transfected with those plasmids by using liposome and the expression of fusion protein was observed with fluorescence microscope. ELISA was used to detect the expression level of fusion proteins in cultured supernatants.

RESULTSSpecific vesicles with green fluorescence could be observed in the CHO cells transfected with pGJGLU/GFP. The recombinant fusion protein could be detected in the cultured supernatants of CHO cells transfected with pGJA-P/VAX, pGJGLU/VAX and pGJGLU/GFP, of which the concentration was different. The highest concentration of recombinant fusion protein was observed in the supernatants of CHO cells transfected with pGJGLU/VAX.

CONCLUSIONSCTLA-4 targeted fusion protein could be expressed and secreted by eukaryotic cells. The size of antigen may affect the expression level of CTLA-4 targeted anti-caries DNA vaccine.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic lesions of arteries of lower extremities and metabolic disorders in patients with diabetic foot. Methods Three hundreds and sixty two patients with type 2 diabetes were selected, including 232 males and 130 females, with average age of (64.9?11.2) years and the average diabetic duration of (9.2?7.5) years. Atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries were detected by type B ultrasound. According to severity of lesions of femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries, the patients were classified into four groups: A-control group, B-plague formation (plague), C-arterial stenosis (stenosis) (luminal narrowing≥50%) and D-arterial occlusion (occlusion). Fasting blood glucose, GHbAlc and lipid levels (Total cholesteral, TC; Triglyceride, TG; Low density iipoprotein, LDL) were tested in all patients. Results (1)GHbAlc levels in group B and group C were significantly different from that in group A respectively[(8.4?2.2%)vs(7.8?2.2%),P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of indicators of oxidative stress in serum and NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with silicosis, and explore the mechanism of the development of silicosis.

METHODSThe subjects were divided into (1) 200 workers exposed to SiO2 for at least 1 years in a foundry served as the dust-exposure group; (2) 130 cases with silicosis (I phase silicosis 64 cases, II phase 46 cases III phase 20 cases) served as the silicosis group; (3) 32 cases with 0+ phase silicosis in the foundry served as the observed group,(4)100 subjects from a hotel served as the control group. The serum including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), lipid malondialdehyde (MDA) and NF-kappaB protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, NO levels in dust-exposed group and silicosis group significantly increased, and SOD decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group and dust-exposed group, T-AOC, NOS, MDA levels in silicosis group significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). GSH-Px in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were (231.164 +/- 36.484) and (270.469 +/- 39.228)U/ml, respectively which were significantly than that [(223.360 +/- 46.838) U/ml] in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of GSHPx between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group significantly (P < 0.01) . GSH-Px level [(290.750 +/- 39.129) U/ml] in III phase silicosis group were significantly higher than those [(256.906 +/- 21.41) and (259.594 +/- 34.79) U/ml] in observation group and I phase silicosis group (P < 0.05). NF-kappaB levels [(72.06 +/- 9.12) and (85.25 +/- 11.64) ng/L] in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were significantly higher than that [(59.71 +/- 9.27) ng/L] in control group (P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between serum GSH-Px level and the silicosis stages (r = 0.507, P < 0.01). Also there was a positive correlation between NF-kappaB level and silicosis stages, age, GSH-Px or NO levels (r = 0.376, 0.243, 0.233, 0.221, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe imbalance of oxidative and anti-oxidation system and the activation of NF-kappaB are related with the occurrence and development of silicosis. The monitoring of oxidative stress indicators and NF-kappaB is beneficial to the prediction and prognosis assessment of silicosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Silicosis ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult