Objective To determine the free thiols in the chimeric protein PfCP-2. 9 of Plasmodium falciparum expressed by Pichia pastoris. Methods Two experiments of reverse phase HPLC and Ellman' s reaction were applied to the PfCP-2.9 for the determination of its free thiols. For RP-HPLC analysis, three kinds of samples were tested: PfCP-2. 9, dithiothreitol-reduced PfCP-2.9 and indoacetic acid-alkylated PfCP-2.9. Results Both experiments showed that there were no any free thiols present in the PfCP-2. 9. Conclution The disulfide bonds between cysteine residues of PfCP-2. 9 were formed completely.

Objective:To express MSP1-31 gene of Plasmodium falciparum in Salmonella typhi CVD908 vaccine strain using a tetracycline-controlled P LtetO promoter. Methods:The MSP1-31 gene was cloned into the plasmid of pZE11 and transformed into the CVD908/tetR strain by electroporation. Expression of MSP1-31 in CVD908/tetR strain was detected using the method of Western blot. Results: The recombinant plasmid of pZE11/MSP1-31 was constructed, there was effective expression of MSP1-31 protein in CVD908/tetR strain in presence of tetracycline, and no expression of gene in absence of tetracycline. Conclusion: The recombinant Salmonella typhi strain in which the expression of Plasmodium falciparum MSP1-31 fragment induced by tetracycline is established successfully.

BACKGROUND:Alpha-calcium sulfate hemiydrate/biphasic bioceramics (α-CSH/BCP) as a bone repair material has been widely used in the clinic, but there are stil some deficiencies. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of α-CSH/BCP on the repair of bone defects of the radius in rabbits. METHODS:The unilateral radius of 18 adult New Zealand white rabbits was selected to establish bone defect models, and then these rabbit models were randomized into three groups that were treated with α-CSH,α-CSH/BCP, BCP materials, respectively. At 4, 8, 12 weeks after implantation, bone samples were taken for gross and X-ray observations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Gross observation: At 12 weeks of implantation, the bone defect was completely repaired in the α-CSH/BCP group, and the defected radius recovered basicaly; in the α-CSH group, bone defects were visible; and in the BCP group, there was stil some material for filing and coverage. (2) X-ray observation: In the α-CSH group, the degradation of implanted materials was faster than new bone formation, and bone defects were visible; in the α-CSH/BCP group, bone defects were healed, cortical bone remodeling was good, and the bone marrow cavity was re-canalized; in the BCP group, the implanted materials were stil visible, and bone defects were not repaired. These findings indicate that the α-CSH/BCP bone repair material can significantly promote the repair of bone defects of rabbit radius, with a better repair effect than α-CSH or BCP alone.

Objective To study the changed status of mortality from urinary and male genital diseases in Shanghai Hongkou district in recent years. Methods Mortality from diseases in Shanghai Hongkou district population from 1991 to 1998 was studied and analyzed. Results There were 1130 persons died of urinary and male genital diseases,749 being male and 381 female.It accounted for 2.08% of the total death,being 2.58% in the male and 1.51% in the female.The 5 major urinary and male genital diseases were in turn nephritis and nephropathy,bladder cancer,benign prostatic diseases,prostate cancer and renal carcinoma.Mortality from bladder cancer,renal cancer,prostate cancer and other prostatic diseases has been rising as compared to those in the 80s especially protatic cancer and other prostatic diseases whereas mortality from nephritis and nephropathy,pyelonephritis and renal failure was decreasing. Conclusions Mortality from prostate cancer and other prostatic diseases in population is remarkably rising.Attention is called to the study,prophylaxis and treatment of prostatic diseases.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of oral etopside (VP16) and oral cyclophosphamide (CPM) combination in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Methods Between June 2000 and July 2003,9 patients with HRPC were treated with oral etopside (50 mg/d) and oral cyclophosphamide (100 mg/d) for 21 days with every 28 days as a cycle.Inclusion criteria were previous complete androgen blockade,anti-androgen (flutamide) withdrawal evaluation,and clinical or biochemical disease progression.The therapy was continued until there was evidence of disease progression or the patients could not tolerate the adverse effects of the medications. Results All the 9 patients had a mean follow-up of 7.5 months.PSA levels decreased by at least 50%,from pre-treatment of (90.5?43.6)ng/ml to post-treatment of (24.8?22.2)ng/ml,in 4 patients. The mean duration of response was 6.8 months (range,2-15 months).An objective response was obtained in 2 patients (1 of CR and 1 of PR).Toxic and adverse effects were minimal. Conclusions The combination of oral VP16 and CPM may be an efficacious and well-tolerated regimen in patients with HRPC.

50% for more than 1 month as effective,and the efficacy for soft tissue metastases were classified as complete,partial remission,stabilization and progression.Results All patients were followed up for 6-24 months(mean,12 months) with the evaluation of efficacy and toxicity.PSA levels decreased by at least 50% in 6 of 12 cases(50%);it decreased from(63.9?47.3)ng/ml before treatment to(14.4?8.8)ng/ml after treatment,with a mean duration of response being 7.5 months(range,5-12 months).Partial remission of soft tissue metastases was obtained in 2 cases;the metastatic lesions were reduced from 4.0 cm?5.0 cm,(3.0cm?)(3.5) cm to 2.0 cm?2.0 cm,1.0 cm?1.5 cm,respectively,by the treatment,with response duration being 3 and 8 months,respectively.Toxicities were minimal with leukopenia at grade Ⅰ in 1 case,anemia at grade Ⅰ in 1,baldness at grade Ⅰ in 1,nausea at grade Ⅰ in 2 and impaired liver function at grade Ⅱ in 1.Conclusions The combination of oral estramustine phosphate and oral etoposide may be an effective and well-tolerated regimen in patients with HRPC.

Objective To investigate the value of magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer(PCa). Methods Fifty-seven patients with suspected prostate cancer underwent DWI and T_2-weighted imaging (T_2W). These images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps results were compared with histopathologic findings. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis was used to compare the cancer detection performance of them. The results were rated on a scale of scores Ⅰ (benign) to Ⅴ (malignant) on the basis of ADC maps. Abnormal voxels were overlaid on the corresponding transverse TRUS images and used to perform voxel-guided biopsy. Results DWI had a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 82%, positive predictive value of 80%, negative predictive value of 86% , and accuracy of 83%. T2WI had a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 71%, positive predictive value of 69%, negative predictive value of 79%, and accuracy of 74%. The areas under the ROC curves for DWI and T_2WI were 0. 830 and 0. 742, respectively. The performance of DWI in PCa detection was significantly better than of T_2WI (P<0. 05). 6 of 30 patients with negative DWI results also had negative biopsy findings. PCa was detected in 17(85%) of 24 men findings with voxel score Ⅳ , with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 46%, positive predictive value of 71 %, negative predictive value of 100% , and accuracy of 77%. Conclusions The performance of DWI in PCa detection was better than of T_2 WI. ADC maps can be transferred to TRUS images and used to sample regions of cancer in men with rising PSA levels and negative findings at prior biopsy with good accuracy. DWI appears to be a robust and reliable method to examine the whole prostate within an acceptable scan time in clinical settings.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of solifenacin for female overactive bladder (OAB) who failed in toherodine treatment. MethodsFrom Jan 2010 to Oct 2010,48 cases of female OAB were treated with 5 mg/d solifenacin for 4 weeks after the failure of tolterodine treatment.The improvement of the perception of bladder condition as well as the mean numbers of day-time micturition,urgency episodes,urge incontinence episode per day,nocturia and pads usage were used as objective indexes for the evaluation of therapeutic effect. ResultsAfter 4-week solifenacin treatment,the mean numbers of day-time micturition,urgency episodes,urge incontinence episode per day,nocturia and pads usage were respectively decreased from the baselines ( 8.7 ± 1.5),(3.4 ± 2.1 ),( 2.4 ± 1.8 ),(2.1 ± 1.8 ) and (2.2 ±1.6) to be (7.2 ±2.5),(2.0 ±1.8),(1.5 ±1.2),(1.2 ±0.8) and (1.4 ±0.8).The perception of bladder condition was improved in 42 cases.The withdrawal from the treatment was seen in 3 cases due to headache and dry mouth.No severe adverse event was found in the rest 45 patients. Conclusion Solifenacin might be an effective and safe alternative agent in the treatment of female OAB who failed in tolterodine treatment.

The importance of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte(CTL)against malaria parasite in pre-erythrocytic stage has been presented in relevant researches. In order to investigate whether one CTL epitope(YLNKIQNSL)involved in a chimeric pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine candidate of Plasmodium falciparum which was expressed and purified in the laboratory can stimulate in vivo CTL response,HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice were immunized with this vaccine candidate. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot(ELISPOT)assay was performed on the splenocytes from the immunized transgenic mice. Positive result indicated that this CTL epitope can be in vivo processed and correctly presented.

Objective To prepare and characterize monoclonal antibody against a malaria vaccine candidate, PfCP-2.9 chimeric protein of Plasmodium falciparum. Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with PfCP-2.9,and the spleen cells were used for fusion with SP2/0 cells. The monoclonal antibodies were analyzed by ELISA,Western blotting as well as growth inhibition assay. Result A monoclonal antibody was obtained. It interacted with the PfCP-2.9 recombinant protein by ELISA and Western blotting. The interaction of the monoclonal antibody with the protein was reduction-sensitive,indicating that the antibody recognized a conformational epitope. Moreover,the antibody also recognized the cultured parasites of P.falciparum by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test(IFA). When tested by growth inhibition assay,the antibody significantly inhibited parasite growth in vitro of 56% inhibition rate at the antibody concentration of 0.3 mg/ml. Conclusion A monoclonal antibody against PfCP-2.9 malaria vaccine candidate has been obtained,which recognizes a conformational epitope of the protein and natural protein.