Objective To explore the histopathological features, immunohistochemical characteristics and clinical manifestation of lymph nodes in patients with cat-scratch disease (CSD). Methods Nineteen cases of lymph nodes of CSD were analyzed by histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. Results All patients with CSD had a clear history of close contact with cats. The local lymph nodes were punctured swelling. The histopathological characteristics were granulomatous small abscess, lymphocytes and immunoblastic cells growing. CEA (-), EMA (-), CD_ 45 (+), CD_ 20 (+), CD_ 45 RO (+) and CD_ 68 (++) were observed in immunohistochemistry. Conclusion CSD is a self-limited infectious disease caused by cat scratching and biting, its pathogen is bartonella henselae. Its histopathological characteristics, immunohistochemical expressions and clinical history have very important meaning for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CSD.

Bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae is one of the most important diseases of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) and leads to considerable yield losses. In order to obtain transgenic plants with resistance for 'Red Sun' kiwifruit to canker disease, a non-specific lipid transfer protein-like antimicrobial protein gene (LJAMP2) from motherwort (Leonurus japonicus) was introduced into 'Red Sun' kiwifruit through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. After two days of co-cultivation with A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring 35S:LJAMP2, the transformed explants were transferred to the selection medium containing 25 mg/L kanamycin+3.0 mg/L BA+1.0 mg/L NAA. The regeneration efficiency of kanamycin-resistant shoots reached to 85%. All (100%) of kanamycin-resistant shoots rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.8 mg/L IBA and a total of 40 regenerated plantlets were obtained. PCR and histochemical GUS activity analysis show that 23 of 40 lines (57.50%) were positive, suggesting that the LJAMP2 gene was integrated into the genome of 'Red Sun' kiwifruit. Taken together, we established an efficient genetic transformation method for 'Red Sun' kiwifruit using A. tumefaciens and the transformation frequency reached 5.11%. This protocol will be useful for the genetic breeding of 'Red Sun' kiwifruit for improvement of disease resistance.
Actinidia ; genetics ; Agrobacterium ; Antigens, Plant ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Leonurus ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic

Objective To investigate the mutation phenomenon of 20 autosomal STR loci in Henan Han population. Methods A total of 3011 parentage confirmed cases were collected to screen mutation events, ascertain the source of mutation, calculate mutation rate, analyze mutation rules and compare with the mutation condition of populations in different regions. Results 76 mutation events were observed in 19 STR loci, the average and accumulative mutation rate reached to 0.08% and 1.6629%, respectively. The ration of paternal versus maternal mutation was 8:1. Mutation rates of Penta E and D12S391 loci in Henan Han population were lower than the Han population of northern China(P<0.05); the mutation rate of CSF1PO locus were lower than Guangdong population and Yunan Han population(P<0.05); the mutation rates of D6S1043 and D12S391 loci were lower than Guangdong population(P<0.05). Conclusion STR mutation events were common in paternity testing. Region differences among mutation rate were significant.

Objective To identify the retention time of semen(stains)inside and outside the cadaver using Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy and chemometrics.Methods A simulated environment inside the porcine vagina was used to retain fresh semen for 0～168 hours inside and outside the body.Infrared spectroscopy data were collected,and chemometric methods including Principal Components Analysis(PCA)and Partial Least Squares(PLS)regression models were established.Results The infrared spectrum peak positions of semen(stains)inside and outside the body did not show significant changes over time.The PCA results showed good clustering relationships,and the predicted deviation value in the PLS regression model was 15.786 3 hours,with an R2 value of 0.922 4.The characteristic wavenumbers selected by the CARS algorithm were in the wavelength ranges of 1 000～1 180 cm-1,1 430～1 480 cm-1,and 1 700～1 760 cm-1.Conclusion Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy has the potential to identify the retention time of semen(stains)inside and outside the body,and there are differences in the degradation trends of semen(stains)inside and outside the body.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of selective inhibitor of caspase-1 VX-765 on cognitive function in a rat model of hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), VX-765 group (V group), and solvent control group (C group). The rats in H, V and C groups were subjected to hemorrhage by bleeding from femoral vein to achieve mean arterial pressure of 25-35 mmHg which was maintained at this level for 60 min followed by resuscitation with shed blood within 15 min to restore blood pressure, and normal saline was infused when needed.VX-765 1 mg/kg and 0.4% polyethylene glycol 1 mg/kg were intravenously injected via the femoral vein immediately after the end of resuscitation in V and C groups, respectively.Six rats in each group were selected and sacrificed at 12 h after the end of resuscitation, and the cerebral cortex was removed for determination of neuronal pyroptosis (by immunofluorescence) and degree of cortical edema (using T2-weighted imaging). Cognitive function was measured by open field test on day 7 after resuscitation in the rest 6 rats in each group. Results:Compared with S group, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly increased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were decreased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was shortened in H, V and C groups ( P<0.05). Compared with H and C groups, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly decreased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were increased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was prolonged in V group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VX-765 can improve the cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting pyroptosis in cortical neurons in a rat model of HSR.

Objective To evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) postconditioning on pyroptosis induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) in rat hippocampai neurons and the relationship with mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathway.Methods Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro,seed in 6-well or 96-well plates,and divided into 5 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table method:control group (C group),OGD/R group,CO postconditioning group (CO group),specific mPTP opener atractyloside plus CO postconditioning group (ACO group),and specific ROS inducer antimycin A plus CO postconditioning group (KCO group).Neurons were subjected to O2-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 16 h followed by restoration of O2-glucose supply for 24 h to establish the model of OGD/R injury.In group CO,neurons were exposed to 2％ CO-5％ CO2 for 3 h at 37 ℃ starting from the end of OGD,followed by normal culture for 21 h.In ACO and KCO groups,atractyloside 20 μmol/L and antimycin A 50 μmol/L were added at the end of OGD,respectively,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group CO.Neuronal pyroptosis rate was determined using double immunofluorescent staining cleaved caspase-1-AlexaFluor 568/DAPI after the end of treatments in each group.The neuronal survival rate was determined by MTT,opening of mPTP by Calcein-AM fluorescence,ROS content by DCFH-DA,and expression of interleukin1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 by Western blot.Results Compared with C group,neuronal pyroptosis rate,ROS content and opening of mPTP were significantly increased,the neuronal survival rate was decreased,and the expression of IL-1β and IL-18 was up-regulated in the other groups (P＜0.05).Compared with OGD/R group,neuronal pyroptosis rate,ROS content and opening of mPTP were significantly decreased,the neuronal survival rate was increased,and the expression of IL-1β and IL-18 was down-regulated in CO,ACO and KCO groups (P＜0.05).Compared with CO group,neuronal pyroptosis rate and ROS content were significantly increased,the neuronal survival rate was decreased,and the expression of IL-1β and IL-18 was up-regulated in ACO and KCO groups,and opening of mPTP was significantly inctreased in ACO group (P＜0.05).Conclusion CO postconditioning can inhibit OGD/R-induced pyroptosis in rat hippocampal neurons,and the mechanism is related to inhibiting mPTP/ROS signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the role of CORM-3 in alleviating cognitive dysfunction and cortical neuronal pyroptosis of rats exposed to hemorrhage shock and resuscitation. Methods One hundred and sixty-eight male SD rats, weighting 350-400 g, in accordance with random number table, were divided into 4 groups (n=42):sham-operated group, hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (H group), hemorrhage shock and resuscitation plus CORM-3 (CO group), hemorrhage shock and resuscitation plus iCORM-3 (ICO group). The rat hemorrhagic shock resuscitation models were established in H, CO and ICO groups:bleeding from femoral vein was performed to achieve mean arterial pressure of 25-35 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) for 60 min;and then, the collected blood was returned to the body within 15 min to reach the initial blood pressure level as resuscitation, and normal saline was injected if necessary. The rats in CO group were injected CORM-3 (4 mg/kg) via femoral vein after resuscitation, the rats in ICO group were injected iCORM-3 (4 mg/kg), and rats in the sham-operate group and H group were only injected equal amount of normal saline containing DMSO. Rats were sacrificed for cortex 12 h after end of resuscitation;CO content was assessed by gas chromatograph assay; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and BTB-CNC homology 1 (Bach1) in the nuclear, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in cytosol; and neuronal pyroptosis rate was detected by cleaved caspase-1-Cy3/neuron-specific nucleoprotein (NeuN)-FITC/DAPI. Thirty d after resuscitation, open field test was used to assess the cognitive ability of the rats. Results At 12 h after resuscitation, as compared with sham-operated group, rats in the H, CO and ICO groups had significantly increased CO content, neuronal pyroptosis, ratio of Nrf2/Bach1, and expressions of HO-1, IL-1β and IL-18, statistically longer time spending in the central square, significantly smaller times crossing the grid and times standing on the back legs (P<0.05). As compared with H and ICO group, CO group had significantly increased CO content, ratio of Nrf2/Bach1, and HO-1 expression, times crossing the grid, times standing on the back legs, but significantly decreased neuronal pyroptosis, expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, and time spending in the central square (P<0.05). Conclusion CORM-3 can reduce the neuronal pyroptosis rate and alleviate cognitive dysfunction in rats with hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, whose mechanism may be related to the increase of HO-1 expression after up-regulation of Nrf2/Bach1 ratio.

Tetraselmis subcordiformis, a marine green alga, can produce hydrogen by photobiologically hydrolyzing seawater with hydrogenase. In this study, the preliminary purification of the enzyme was explored by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and the impact of sodium dithionite, beta-mercaptoethanol and glycerol on the enzyme stability during the process was investigated. The experimental results illustrated that sodium dithionite provided significant protection on the hydrogenase by depleting oxygen, while glycerol, a protectant against the structure instability of the enzyme, also presented protection. Crude enzyme with specific activity of 0.557 U/mg protein was extracted using 60%-70% saturated ammonium sulfate solution supplemented with 200 mmol/L sodium dithionite and 5% glycerol, and the hydrogenase recovery yield was about 30%.
Ammonium Sulfate ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Chlorophyta ; enzymology ; Enzyme Stability ; Hydrogen ; metabolism ; Hydrogenase ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Seawater

Sponges (Porifera) are the oldest living metazoan in the world, among which most of them (Demospongia) can produce silicic skeleton from orthosilicic acid in the seawater under the natural enVironmental conditions. These biosilicic materials exhibit good mechanical and optical properties as well as good biocompatibility. During the biosilicification process of sponges, a protein, named as silicatein, plays an important role and has attracted great attention from biologist, chemists and material scientists. This mini review highlights the discovery of silicateins and its function as both an enzymatic catalyst and an organic template for biosilicification. The studies since 1999 were briefly introduced on the application of silicatein as a biocatalyst and template for synthesis of silica-based and other inorganic materials. It is expected to stimulate the interests in the related researches in China.
Animals ; Biocatalysis ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cathepsins ; chemistry ; Porifera ; enzymology ; Silicon Dioxide ; metabolism

Objective:To evaluate the effect of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on cell apoptosis during acute renal injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), HSR plus CORM-3 group (HC group) and HSR plus iCORM-3 group (HiC group). Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 30-35 mmHg for 45 min by withdrawing blood from the femoral vein, and the shed blood was re-transfused within 15 min to reach the initial blood pressure for resuscitation.Normal saline was infused when necessary, and the model of HSR was established.CORM-3 4 mg/kg and iCORM-3 4 mg/kg were added during resuscitation in HC group and HiC group, respectively.Only femoral vein and artery puncture was performed in S group.Blood samples were obtained from the tail vein at 3 h after resuscitation for measurement of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) concentrations.Rats were sacrificed at 12 h after resuscitation, and renal tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bak protein and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot) and cell apoptosis (by TUNEL). The damage to the renal tubules was assessed by paller assay after HE staining.Bcl-2/Bak ratio and apoptosis rate were calculated. Results:Compared with group S, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in H, HC and HiC groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group H, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was increased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated in group HC ( P<0.05). Compared with group HC, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in group HiC ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the indexes mentioned above between group H and group HiC ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which exogenous CO improves acute kidney injury may be related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in a rat model of HSR.