Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by a progressive depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes, which leads to dysfunction of the immune system. Although a variety of mechanisms may contribute to the gradual T cell decline that occurs in HIV-infected patients, abnormal apoptosis of infected or bystander T lymphocytes is an important event leading to immunodeficiency. The HIV envelope glycoprotein plays a crucial role in HIV associated apoptosis through both death receptor-mediated and mitochondria-dependent pathways. This review summarizes current knowledge of Env-mediated T lymphocyte apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:Lumbar fusion is a conventional effective measure to treat spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or with deformity. Bilateral pedicle screw fixation is recognized as the standard treatment for various spinal disorders, and has biomechanical and clinical advantages. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of bilateral pedicle screw fixation in the repair of lumbar disc herniation to restore disc height from the angle of imaging. METHODS: Clinical data of 42 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. They al received bilateral pedicle screw fixation. Pain was evaluated before implantation, immediately and 1 month after implantation using Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of lower back pain and visual analog scale score. X-ray including anteriorposterior and lateral films of lumbar spine and MRI were used. CT was utilized to verify screw placement conditions and complications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 42 patients were folowed up for 3-6 months. Compared with pre-implantation, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and visual analog scale score were significantly improved immediately after implantation (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score between 1 month and immediately after implantation (P > 0.05). The height of intervertebral discs was significantly higher immediately and 1 month after implantation than pre-implantation (P < 0.01). The symptoms were lessened after fixation in al cases, and their qualities of life elevated. At 1 month, X-ray films and CT images revealed that no screw loosening, breakage or displacement occurred. The height of intervertebral discs was perfectly restored. No adverse events appeared in patients. These data indicate that bilateral pedicle screw fixation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation can effectively restore the height of intervertebral discs, improve clinical symptoms and have biological and clinical superiority.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI),and to identify the risk factors in primary schoolchildren from Shanghai through the population-based field investigation combined with the tuberculosis infection enzyme-linked immunospot assay(T-SPOT.TB)assay.Methods The children in grade 4 and 5 were enrolled from four primary schools in Pudong new district and Yangpu district of Shanghai.Questionnaire interview was applied to investigate the soeiodemographic and clinical information related to LTBI.The T-SPOT.TB assay was used to detect LTBI in the enrolled subjects.Univaitate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with LTBI among the primary schoolchildren.Results Totally 472 schoolchildren were enrolled in the present study,with 439(93.0%)being vaccinated with bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) and ten (2.1%) having contact history with tuberculosis (TB) patients.Among the 472 eligible subjects,16(3.4%) children were T-SPOT.TB positive,who had no clinical symptoms andsigns relevant to TB and were defined as LTBI.The LTBI prevalence in BCG vaccinated and unvaccinated children were 2.7% and 12.1%,respectively (OR:6.972;95%CI:1.834-26.500);those in TB contacts and children without TB contact history were 30.0% and 2.8%, respectively (OR: 16. 38; 95% CI: 3. 692-72. 700). Conclusions The prevalence of LTBI among senior schoolchildren in Shanghai is 3.4%. BCG vaccination is protective for children from LTBI, while daily contacts with TB patients increases the risk of LTBI in schoolchildren.

Isoprene is an important precursor of synthetic rubber material. In our previous study, metabolic engineered Escherichia coli strain (BW-01) was constructed and used to produce isoprene. Based on the theory of protein budget, using synthetic biology strategies including the increased copy number of genes and rare codons, we regulated the expression of key enzyme to improve isoprene production in Escherichia coli strain. Under shake-flask conditions, isoprene productivity of the engineered strain (BW-07) increased by 73% compared with BW-01, reached 761.1 mg/L. It provides a reference for further studies.
Butadienes ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Dosage ; Hemiterpenes ; biosynthesis ; Industrial Microbiology ; Metabolic Engineering ; Mevalonic Acid ; Pentanes ; Synthetic Biology

Cephalosporins are widely used antibiotics owing to their broad activity spectra and low toxicity. Many of these medically important compounds are made chemically from 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid. At present, this intermediate is made by synthetic ring-expansion of the inexpensive penicillin G to form G-7-ADCA, followed by enzymatic removal of the side chain to obtain 7-ADCA. The chemical synthetic process is expensive, complicated and environmentally unfriendly. Environmentally compatible enzymatic process is favorable compared with chemical synthesis. In our previous research, metabolic engineered Escherichia coli strain (H7/PG15) was constructed and used as whole-cell biocatalyst for the production of G-7-ADC with penicillin G as substrate. The whole-cell biocatalysis was studied by single factor experiment, including the composition of substrates and the conversion conditions (OD600, pH, concentration of penicillin G, MOPS, glucose, time and FeSO4). After optimization, 15 mmol/L of G-7-ADCA was obtained. The process is convenient, efficient and economic. This work would facilitate the industrial manufacturing and further product research.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; biosynthesis ; Biocatalysis ; Cephalosporins ; biosynthesis ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Metabolic Engineering

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimizing the ultrasonic-assisted extraction technology of pigment from Coreopsis tinctoria. The results showed that the flavonoids were the main constituents of the pigment Based on single factor experiments, a four-factor-level experiment design were developed by box-benhnhen central composite design method with causal factors of ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time, ratio of liquid to raw material, the concentrations of ethanol in solvent and the extract absorbance value for the response. The interactive effects of four crucial technological parameters were assessed by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: ultrasonic temperature was 70 °C, ultrasonic time was 60 min, the concentrations of ethanol in solvent was 72.25% and the ratio of liquid to raw material was 32.05:1 mL . g-1. Under the optimum extraction technology conditions, the absorbance value was 0. 936. The conditidns are suitable for the extraction process regression analysis and parameter optimization.
Coreopsis ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Pigments, Biological ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; Regression Analysis ; Solvents ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Ultrasonics

A certain amount of image noise is increased in low-dese protocols, but image quality is still acceptable without problem in CT localization. The reduction of radiation dose and the radiation harm to patients are the superiority.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of different HLA-G isoform mRNA patterns in different cells alters its cell membrane expression.Methods RT-PCR was used to analyze HLA-G isoform mRNA(HLA-Gl-6)of ovarian cancer cell lines HO-8910,HO-8910PM and OVCAR-3,leukemia cell lines Jurkat,K562,HIJ60,MUTIZ-1,and the chorioeareinoma cell lines JEG-3,JAR.HLA-G between cellular membrane and intracellular expression were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results All HLA-G mRNA isoforms were observed in the positive control cell line JEG-3,but none in the negative control cell line JAR.HLA-G1 isoform mRNA was expressed in HO-8910,HO-8910PM,OVCAR-3,MUTZ-1 and Jurkat cells.HLA-G2 mRNA was not detected in any cell line but JEG-3.HLA-G3 mRNA was found in HO-8910,HO-8910PM,K562,HIJ60,MUTZ-1,OVCAR-3 and Jurkat cells.HO-8910,HO-8910PM,HIJ60,Jurkat cells expre8sed HLA-G4 mRNA.Only the Jurkat cells expressed HLA-G5 mRNA.FACS results showed that JEG3 and HO-8910PM cells membrane expressed HLA-G,however,the intraeellular HLA-G expression was detected in all tested cells except the negative control cell JAR.Conclusion Only the HLA-G1 isoform could be exDressed on cell membrane in particular cell lines. Other isoforms including HLA-C2,-G3,-G4,-G5 and HLA-G6 could not reach cell snrface.

Objective To investigate prevalence and risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse in women underwent routine gynecologic health care in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH).Methods From Jan.2008 to Aug.2009,972 women underwent gynecological health care in PUMCH Were enrolled in this study.Questionnaires and pelfic examinations were given.The pelvic organ prolapse quantitive examination(POP-Q)system was used as the assessment tool.Results (1)Among all participants,the mean ages were(42±10)years(range 22 to 78 years),the mean height were(162±5)cm(range 142 to 180 cm),and the mean weight were(59±8)kg(range 42 to 91 kg).83.8%(815/972)of women were multipara.The mean total vagihal length(TVL)of 972 women was 8.20 cm.No women met the standard of pelvic organ prolapse, while 35.5% (345/972) of women presented mild posterior vaginal descent and 96. 7% (940/972) presented mild anterior vaginal descent, all of them were asymptomatic. (2) The length of genital hiatus (gh), TVL and C, D proximal to the hymen in nullipara were (2.26 ±0. 32), (8.08 ±0. 30), ( - 7.08 ± 0. 24) and ( - 8. 08 ± 0. 30) cm, which were significantly less than ( 2. 33 ± 0. 39 ),( 8. 22 ± 0. 35 ), ( - 7. 14 ± 0. 28 ) and ( - 8. 22 ± 0. 35 ) cm in multipara ( P < 0. 05 ). Ap and Pb proximal to the hymen of ( - 2. 87 ± 0. 22) and ( - 2. 87 ± 0. 22 ) cm in nullipara were significantly larger than ( -2.81 ±0.25) and ( -2.81 ±0.25) cm in multipara (P<0.05). When compared with nullipara, the incidence of posterior and anterior vaginal wall protrusion were increased ( OR = 1. 819). (3) The index of POP-P were compared among women at groups of 22 -34 years, 35 -49 years and more than 50 years (P <0. 05 ). Those index did not show statistical difference between women at group of 22 - 34 years and group of 35 -49 years (P >0. 05). However, those in women at group of 22 -34 years and 35 -49 years showed statistical difference when compared with women at group of more than 50 years ( P < 0. 05 ). When compared with women at group of 22 - 34 years, the incidence of posterior and anterior vaginal wall protrusion were increased ( OR = 1. 713, 3. 765). (4) Menopause status was associated with severities of all kinds of descent ( P < 0. 05 ) and presence of posterior vaginal protrusion ( OR = 3. 354 ). Conclusions Mild anterior and posterior vaginal descent by POP-Q were common among women in China. The risk of anterior vaginal descent is relatively higher than posterior vaginal descent. However, most of the women with descent are asymptomatic and need no treatment. The most important factors associated with the severity and detectable ratio of descent is parity and age.

Objective To screen out some Chinese medicines with obvious inhibitory actions on triple-negative breast cancer based on data mining. Methods Literatures of breast cancer effectively treated by Chinese medicine issued in recent 15 years were collected, and then the frequency analysis and cluster analysis were used to screen the frequently-used herbs. According to the above results, the serum containing the obtained drugs were prepared respectively. And then the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells MDB-MB-231 treated with the serum containing various Chinese medicines for 12, 24 h were observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and transwell cell invasion and migration experiments, respectively. Results The frequently-used herbs were screened out as Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Herba Taraxaci, Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, Radix Trichosanthis, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. The proliferation of MDB-MB-231 cells was significantly inhibited by serum seperately containing Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Herba Taraxaci, Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, Radix Trichosanthis, and Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae to different degrees, and the migration abilities of MDB-MB-231 cells were obviously inhibited by serum containing Herba Taraxaci, Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, respectively. And the invasion abilities of MDB-MB-231 cells were obviously inhibited by serum containing Herba Taraxaci, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, respectively. Conclusion Chinese medicines such as Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Herba Taraxaci, Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, Radix richosanthis, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae obtained by data mining technology have obviously inhibitory effects on triple-negative breast cancer.