Objectives To study if there exists the ununi formity of drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) isolated from MDR-TB patients .Methods One MDR-TB patient was chosen for this study a nd his sputum was cultured.The suspension of the culture was filtered through 8 0?m -pore-size membrane filter and single M.TB suspension was obtained.The single M.TB suspension was cultured on Lowsenstein Jensen (L-J) medium.24 of col onies were obtained and they were cultured respectively again to get pure strain s.The drug sensitivity test was carried out for these 24 pure strains of M.TB wi th Chinese standard method.H 37 Rv was taken as control.Results 1 strain (4 2%) was found to be susceptive to INH,22 strains ( 91 6%) resistant to low concentration INH (H 1 ),1 strain (4 2%) resistant to high concentration INH (H 10 ).2 strains (8 3%) were found t o be susceptive to RFP,2 strains (8 3%) resistant to low concentration RFP(R 50 ),20 strains (83 4%) resistant to high concentration RFP(R 250 ).We f ound 1 strain (4 2%) susceptive to SM,23 strains (95 8%) resistant to high concentr ation SM(S 100 ).All were susceptive to EMB.Conclusions The ununiformity of drug resistance exists among the M.TB isolated from the MDR-TB patients.Sensitive and resistant strains exist together,low and high concentration-drug-resistant strains coexi st in the same situation.The majority of M.TB is drug-resistant and only a few are still sensitive to low concentration- drug- resistant.

Objective:To observe the effect of “Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi” Acupuncture on the acetylcholine receptor (AchR)mRNA expression in neuromuscular junction (NMJ)of the rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenis gravis (EAMG), and to analyze the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for EAMG. Methods:AchRα1 129-145 peptide fragments were used to immune the 60 female Lewis rats to establish the EAMG rat models. 30 EAMG rats were selected randomly and divided into model control group,acupuncture treatment group and drug control group (n = 10).Another 10 SPF- “grade three”female Lewis rats,which were raised together with EAMG rats,were used as blank control group. The rats in model control group and blank control group had no treatment.The rats in acupuncture treatment group were treated with “Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupuncture.The rats in drug control group were treated with pyridostigmine bromide by gavage. The tissue samples in NMJ of gastrocnemius of the rats were collected,and the expression levels of AChR mRNA were detected with Real-time PCR method; the differences among various groups were analyzed quantitatively. Results:Compared with blank control group,the expression levels ofγ-AChR mRNA andε-AChR mRNA in NMJ of the rats in acupuncture treatment group drug control group and model control group were significantly increased (P <0.01).Compared with model control group,theγ-AChR mRNA andε-AChR mRNA in NMJ of the rats in drug acupuncture treatment group and control group were significantly increased (P < 0.01 ). Conclusion:“Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupuncture can effectively improve the expression level of AchR mRNA and it is an effective treatment method for myasthenia gravis.

Objective:To study the influence of “Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupuncture in the expression levels of acetylcholine receptor protein (AchR)in gastrocnemius neuromuscular junction (NMJ)of the rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG),and to clarify the mechanism of “Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupucture in the treatment myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods:The female Lewis rats were used to establish the EAMG rat models immuned with AchRα1 129-145 polypeptide fragments.30 EAMG rats were selected randomly and divided into model control group, drug control group, and acupuncture treatment group (n=10),and another 10 rats purchased at the same period were used as blank control group.The rats in drug control group were treated with 1 8.5 mg · kg-1 · d-1 pyridostigmine by gavage. And the rats in acupuncture treatment group were treated with irritating by“Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupuncture.The rats in blank control group and model control group were not treated .The Lennon symptom scores of the rats in various groups were recorded.After treatment,the tissues of gastrocnemius NMJ of the rats were taken,and the AchR protein expression levels in NMJ of the rats in various groups were detected by Western blotting method. Results:Compared with blank control group,after successfully modelling,the Lennon symptom scores of the rats in model control group, drug control group and acupuncture treatment group before treatment were significantly increased (P<0.01).Compared with model control group,the Lennon symptom scores of the rats in drug control group and acupuncture treatment group after two treatment course were significantly increased (P<0.01 ). Compared with blank control group, the AchR protein expression level in gastronemus NMJ of the rats in model control group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model control group, the AchR protein expression levels in gastronemus NMJ of the rats in acupuncture treatment group and drug control group after treatment were significantly increased (P<0.01).Conclusion:“Warming Yang and Nourishing Qi”Acupuncture has good therapeutic effect on the EAMG through increasing the NMJ AchR protein expression level of the EAMG rats.

We constructed transgenic chicken bioreactor vector, driven by chicken ovalbumin promoter, lentiviral vector and cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter control vector encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase (Luc) as reporter genes. The three vectors were used to transfect or infect chicken primary oviduct epithelial cells, embryo fibroblasts cells, mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes cells and bovine mammary epithelial cells. High efficient and specific expression vector for transgenic chicken bioreactor was determined by detecting fluorescence and luciferase activity. Reporter gene analysis showed that chicken ovalbumin promoter expression vector was not cell type-specific in these four different cells. Additionally, luciferase reporter analysis illustrated that the chicken ovalbumin promoter activity was over 100 times lower than that of the CMV promoter in four different cells. Both of these two reporter genes were expressed in those four different cells infected by lentiviral expression vectors. Similarly, the GFP reached the similar expression level in cells infected by lentivirus and cells transfected with CMV promoter plasmid vectors when the multiplicity of infection was 20. In conclusion, the transgenic chicken bioreactor vector under the control of chicken ovalbumin promoter was not highly efficient and cell type-specific. However, the efficient expression and extensiveness oflentiviral vector could be used for studying chicken oviduct bioreactor.
3T3-L1 Cells ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Cattle ; Chickens ; genetics ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; genetics ; Oviducts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Transfection

The incurable chronic infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major health burden worldwide. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) exists in the nucleus of infected cells as a stable minichromosome, and when a new therapy realizes inactivation or eliminates persistent cccDNA in infected hepatocytes, the natural process of chronic infection and long-term antiviral therapy will no longer exist. This article introduces the methods targeting cccDNA, such as gene editing and epigenetic modification, so as to achieve the complete cure of HBV infection.

Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often have poor prognosis, and early diagnosis and effective treatment measures can significantly improve the survival rate of patients. At present, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used serum marker for the diagnosis of HCC in the world; however, no increase in AFP was found in some HCC patients. This article analyzes the application potential of AFP, hepatitis B core-related antigen, liquid biopsy technology, microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and exosomes in the early diagnosis of HCC and reviews related research advances, so as to provide a basis for exploring new methods for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Objective To observe the protection effects of a new combined anti-G measure, which is composed of new bladder anti-G system, unassisted positive pressure breathing for G (PBG) and PHP maneuver. The problem of fatigue and pain when using this measure is also discussed. Method Each of the six fully qualified centrifuge subjects experienced 5 groups of centrifuge runs:1) relaxed +Gz tolerance without anti-G equipments and PHP maneuver;2) +Gz tolerance with FLH-x+KT-x;3) +Gz tolerance when performing PBG with FLH-x, KT-x, YM-x and TK-x;4) +6.5 Gz for 45 s using the same anti-G equipments as the 3rd group;5) +9.0 Gz for 15 s using the same anti-G equipments as the 3rd group and performing PHP maneuver. Result There were no incidents of G-induced loss of consciousness in this study. The protective effects of FLH-x+KT-x, PBG and PHP maneuver were 2.5 G, 1.67 G and 1.23 G respectively. All the subjects had accomplished the 6.5 G 45 s and 9.0 G 15 s runs with the new combined anti-G measure. The pain occured on neck, waist, arm and hands. Conclusion The new combined anti-G measure can provide enough anti-G protection for modern high performance aircraft. How to prevent the occurrence of neck injury and alleviate the pain induced by G when using this measure needs further investigation.

BACKGROUND:Acromion morphology is the most important external factor of degenerative rotator cuff tear,and studies on acromion morphology and acromion coverage have been continuing. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the coverage of acromion on rotator cuff tissue in three-dimensional space,measure coronal and sagittal parameters,and explore the relationship of acromial overhang,acromioglenoid angle and acromial coverage angle with degenerative full-thickness rotator cuff tears. METHODS:A total of 56 patients diagnosed with full-thickness rotator cuff tears by shoulder arthroscopic surgery or MRI in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected as the tear group,while 48 patients with non-rotator cuff tear were included as the control group.Clinical data and chest CT data of the patients of the two groups were collected,and the shoulder blades of the patients were reconstructed using Mimics software.Acromial overhang,acromioglenoid angle and acromial coverage angle were measured in 3-matic software.The differences between the measurement parameters were compared between the two groups.Binary Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to evaluate the ability of the measurement parameters to predict rotator cuff tear.It is generally believed that the parameter had good diagnostic value when the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was greater than 0.8. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The mean acromial overhang in patients with rotator cuff tears was greater than that in controls(P<0.001).The mean acromial coverage angle was also greater in patients with rotator cuff tears than in controls(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in the acromioglenoid angle between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that acromial overhang and acromial coverage angle were both risk factors for rotator cuff tear(P<0.05).(3)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the areas under the curve of acromial overhang and acromial coverage angle were 0.725 and 0.865,respectively,and the optimal cutoff values were 36.15 mm and 60.65°.(4)The results showed that the acromial overhang and acromial coverage angle were greater in patients with rotator cuff tears than in patients without rotator cuff tears.Both were associated with degenerative full-thickness rotator cuff tears,and they could be used to predict rotator cuff tears,and the acromial coverage angle was more effective in predicting rotator cuff tears.

The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats from Liaoning province, northeastern China. From October 2014 to September 2016, sera of 651 cats, including 364 domestic cats and 287 feral cats (332 females and 319 males) were assessed. They were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using SNAP Heartworm RT test kit. In this population, the average prevalence was 4.5%. Age and rearing conditions (feral or domestic) were found to be associated with the prevalence of D. immitis. The prevalence was significantly higher in feral cats compared with domestic cats (8.4% vs 1.4%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between males and females (4.7% vs 4.2%, P>0.05), but older cats (≥3 years old) showed a statistically higher prevalence compared with younger cats ( < 3 years old) in feral populations (16.8 vs 2.4%, P < 0.01), while the difference between the age groups was not statistically significant in domestic cats (2.4% vs 0.51%, P>0.05), all these results suggest that outdoor exposure time may be one of the most important factors for D. immitis prevalence in cats. Results reveal that D. immitis are prevalence in domestic and feral cats in northeastern China, which indicates that appropriate preventive measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of feline heartworm disease in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
Animals ; Cats* ; China* ; Dirofilaria immitis* ; Dirofilaria* ; Dirofilariasis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of erlong zuoci (ELZC) pills and its disassembled prescriptions (Shudi-huang-Zexie group and Zexie group) on the enzymatic activity and protein expression changes of the key apoptosis molecules in the gentamycin injured hair cells.

METHODThe model of gentamycin induced ototoxicity in mice cochlear primary cultures was copied. Cochlear organotypic cultures of postnatal day 3-5 (P3-P5) mice were treated with gentamycin alone or in combination with ELZC pills, Shudihuang-Zexie group or Zexie group respectively. The enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was determined by means of fluorescence staining in situ. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hair cell area was examined by immunofluorescence in normal and treated specimens.

RESULTAverage optical density analysis indicated that, compared to the normal group, 0.03 mmol x L(-1) gentamycin could significantly activate Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, downregulate the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. Compared to the gentamycin model group, ELZC pills significantly inhibited the enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and upregulated the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, showing inhibition trend toward the enzymatic activity of Caspase-3. Both Shudihuang-Zexie group and Zexie group could effectively inhibit the enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, upregulate the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.

CONCLUSIONELZC pills, Shudihuang-Zexie group and Zexie group can effectively protect hair cells from gentamycin by correcting the abnormal changes of the mitochondrion-dependent signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gentamicins ; adverse effects ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism