Aim: Clone and characterize of the 5′- flanking region of the nitrate reductase (NR) gene derived from Dunaliella salina(D. salina). Methods : The genomic DNA from D. salina was respectively digested with BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII, Pst I, Sal I and Xba I. A genomic walking cassette was ligated to the ends of the digested DNA fragments, and then genomic walking libraries comprising BL, EL, HL, PL, SL and XL were constsucted. The 5′- flanking region of the NR gene from genomic walking libraries of D. salina was amplified by LA-PCR. The DNA sequences were analyzed with the software - Promoter Predictions. Isolated 5′-flanking regions fused to the GUS gene were tested for transient expression in the alga. Results: A single specific PCR product of about 1200bp in length from the HL library was generated. Also, several conserved motifs, such as CAAT-box, GAGA-box were found, which are related to regulation of transcription, and the putative binding sites of transcriptional factors such as EBP, EFII, NF-E1 and LV. BLAST showed that the DNA sequences shared high homology with 5′-upstream region of the NR gene from Dunaliella viridis. The isolated 5′-flanking regions were able to strongly drive GUS reporter gene expression, suggesting that it contains the promoter elements necessary for the transcription of the NR gene. The expression pattern of the GUS gene and the NR gene were similar, both ware induced by nitrate and repressed by ammonium. Conclusion: The cloned 5′- flanking sequences of NR gene derived from D. salina might be a specific promoter with the ability to“switch on or off” an expression of the heterologous gene in transgenic D. salina.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sub-acute oral effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in blood, liver, intestine, and colon in rats. METHODS: Twenty four 4-week-old clean-grade Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly devided into 4 groups by body weight (n=6, control, low, middle, and high), in which the rats were orally exposed to TiO₂ nanoparticles at doses of 0, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 consecutive days separately. Food intake, body weight and abnormal behaviors during the experiment were recorded. The rats were euthanized on the 29th day. The blood was collected via abdominal aortic method and centrifuged to collect the serum. Tissues from liver, intestine and colon were collected and homogenated. Then enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microwell plate methods were used to detect oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total mercapto (T-SH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), malomdialdehvde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the serum, liver, intestine and colon in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, no significant differences in body weight, food intake and organ coefficients were observed in all the three groups after TiO₂ gavage. No significant changes in GSH, GSH-Px, T-SH, and IL-6 were observed. Compared with the control group, significant increase of SOD activity in serum in high dose group, signi-ficant increase of GSSG concentration in intestine in middle and high dose group and significant increase of MDA concentration in liver in low and high dose group were observed. Compared with the control group, a significant increase of TNF-α in liver in middle and high dose group was observed. CONCLUSION TiO₂ nanoparticle can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in blood, increase oxidative biomarkers in liver and intestine, increase inflammatory cytokines in liver in rats after a 28-day sub-acute orally administration. Among blood, liver, intestine, and colon, liver is most sensitive to the toxicity induced by TiO₂ nanoparticles, followed by intestine, blood, and colon in sequence.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Biomarkers ; Cytokines ; Nanoparticles ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicine by the decision tree algorithm.

METHODBased on of pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine, the decision tree algorithm was applied in the study on the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicines. A model was established with the decision tree algorithm for the purpose of predicting the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

RESULTThe established model was reliable and stable, and could be used to predict the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

CONCLUSIONThe prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components with a decision tree model could reflect the theoretical connotation of the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components to some extent and provide a new method for studying the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective: To understand characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) who applied for HIV antibody self-testing reagents through "AIDS self-testing" column of a WeChat official account named "Dark Blue Public Health Center" in Tianjin City, so as to provide insights into exploring online modes of HIV antibody self-testing for MSM. Methods: Data of MSM who were 18 years old or above, currently lived in Tianjin City, had sex with men in the past six months and applied for HIV antibody self-testing reagents through "AIDS self-testing" column from May 2018 to December 2022 were collected. Demographic characteristics, results return and positive findings were descriptively analyzed. Results: Data of 2 064 MSM were collected, including 1 052 MSM aged 20 to 29 years (50.97%), 1 522 unmarried MSM (73.74%), 545 workers (26.41%), 1 385 MSM with college education or above (67.10%), and 315 MSM without testing for HIV antibody in the past (15.26%). A total of 6 470 self-testing reagents were applied, and 5 942 testing results were returned, with a return rate of 91.84%. There were 33.28% (687/2 064) of the applicants applying for 66.32% (4 291/6 470) reagents multiple times. There were 73 MSM with positive results, accounting for 1.23%. Conclusions The MSM applying for HIV antibody self-testing reagents through "AIDS self-testing" are mainly young and highly educated, including some who have never tested for HIV. However, attention should be paid to duplicate applications and the return rate should be increased.

In this study,we aimed to study the pattern visual evoked potentials (P-VEPs) in two eyes with varying visual acuity in one eye and to provide an objective estimation of visual acuity by comparing P-VEPs in one and two eyes.Thirty subjects were chosen,who had one eye with an acuity of 5.0,4.85,4.6,4.0,or scieropia and obstructed vision and the other eye with an acuity of 5.0,respectively.P-VEPs were detected under the large grating stimuli at 3×4 spatial frequency,moderate grating stimuli (12× 16 spatial frequency) and small grating stimuli (48×64 spatial frequency).Under large grating stimuli,there was no significant difference in P100 peak latency between the groups,nor was there a significant difference between the amplitude of two eyes and the amplitude of one normal-vision eye.Under moderate and small grating stimuli,there was a significant difference in P100 peak latency between the group with both eyes having an acuity of 5.0 and the group with visual acuity below 4.0 in one eye.There was a significant difference in P100 amplitude between the group with visual acuity of 5.0 in both eyes and the group with one normal-vision eye.There was no significant difference in the amplitude of two eyes and the amplitude of one normal-vision eye between any other two groups.In forensic identification,characteristics and variability of P-VEPs in one and two eyes can be used to identify malingering or decline in visual acuity.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of acupoint thread embedding (ATE) in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by means of brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSTwenty-six patients with mild to moderate AD were assigned to the tested group and the control group in pairing, 13 in each group. ATE was performed in patients of the tested group at Shenmen (HT7), Fenglong (ST40), Taixi (KI3) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints, once every month for 6 times in total; but for patients of the control group only sham operation was done at the same acupoints. The correlation between cognitive ability and fMRI were assessed by comparing the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzhemer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section (ADAS-Cog), monitored at two time points, namely, in one week before starting treatment and 1 week after terminating 6-month treatment. Furthermore, fMRI was detected to obtain the data of the cerebral blood oxygen content before treatment and 6 months after completing the 6-month therapeutic course. Correlation analysis was conducted on the obtained data using software SPM.

RESULTSAfter treatment, changes of MMSE score significently increased in the test group (P < 0.01) and decreased in the control group (P < 0.01), and ADAS-Cog decreased in the test group (P < 0.01) and increased in the control group (P < 0.05), showing statistical significance between the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The activated regions related with the change of MMSE were mainly inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, on the left cerebrum and superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, hippocampal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, paracentral lobule on the right cerebrum; those related with change of ADAS-Cog were superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, hippocampal gyrus on the left cerebrum, and superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, fusiform gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle occipital gyrus on the right cerebrum.

CONCLUSIONATE could improve the cognitive ability of AD patients, its possible mechanism may be through the activation on the cognition related regions of frontal, temporal lobe and marginal system, as well as those of cerebellum.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Catgut ; Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo compare the anti-rotation biomechanical performances of wire and various cable fixation devices currently used in the posterior Brooks instrumentation for atlantoaxial instability.

METHODSIn this experiment,six specimens of the atlantoaxial complex (Occipital-C3) were used. The models of the normal complex,unstable complex (type II odontoid fracture) and fixed complex were established. On the WD-5 mechanics experimental machine,the parameters including the strength and rigidity of anti-rotation were quantified for the normal complex (group N),the atlantoaxial instability complex (group M), the new type Titanium cable (group A), Atlas titanium cable (group B), Songer Titanium cable (group C), stainless wire(group D).

RESULTSThe max strength of A, B, C, D groups was 12.5, 11.3, 11.52, 11.55 N x m respectively, the max rigidity was 58.81, 53.17, 54.11, 54.35 N x cm/deg respectively. The strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, compare to the unstable atlantoaxial complex which were fixed by the new double locking Titanium cable fixation system were superior to those of normal complex, instability complex, Songer or Atlas Titanium cable (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHaving been changed the locking method, the anti-rotation biomechanical characteristics of the new type double locking Titanium cable fixation system are superior or similar to the traditional Songer or Atlas Titanium cable.

Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Wires ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Rotation

Objective To understand the status of soil?transmitted nematode infections in Xiding Township,Menghai Coun?ty,Yunnan Province,so as to provide the reference for formulating the strategy of soil?transmitted nematodosis control. Meth?ods Soil?transmitted nematode eggs in feces were detected by the Kato?Katz method,and the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected by the cellophane tape method in children. The soil samples were collected from vegetable ,fruit and other crop fields of 15 residents randomly to detect hookworm. Results The stool samples from 1 002 residents were examined and the soil?transmitted nematode infection rate was 20.06%(201/1 002). The infection rates of hookworm,Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichu?ris trichura were 18.96%(190 cases),1.70%(17 cases)and 0.90%(9 cases)respectively. The percentages of people with light infection of hookworm,A. lumbricoides and T. trichura were 97.37%(185/190),88.24%(15/17)and 100%(9/9)respec?tively. No infection of E. vermicularis was found. Fifteen soil samples were tested,and no hookworm was found in the soil. Con?clusion The infection rate of soil?transmitted nematode in Xiding Township,Menghai County is high,but the infectiosity is light. The control and monitoring of soil?transmitted nematodosis should be strengthened in this area.

Objective To observe the expressions of oxidized low density lipoprotein ( OxLDL ) receptor CD36 in kidney tissue of diabetic rats and in tubular cells incubated with OxLDL, and to explore the association of CD36 with the tubular injury and renal fibrosis in the process of diabetic nephropathy. Methods Diabetic rat model with hyperlipidemia was established by feeding with high sugar and fat diet and injection of low dose streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The expression of CD36 in kidney tissues was analyzed immunohistochemically. Meanwhile, the tubular sclerosis and fibrosis injury index were estimated and calculated. NRK-52E cells were stimulated with 50 mg/L OxLDL for 5, 10, 24, and 48 h, or 100 and 150 mg/L OxLDLs for 2 and 3 days. The protein expression of CD36 was detected by Western blot. Results The expression of CD36 in the renal tubulointerstitium of diabetic rats was increased comparing to that in control rats, and was localized mainly at tubular region. The renal tubular damage index(STI)ofdiabetesgroupwashigherthanthatincontrolgroup(5.54±1.5vs0.65±0.15,P<0.05). OxLDL stimulated CD36 expression in NRK-52E cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Conclusion The expression of CD36 was increased in renal tubular of diabetic rats, in consistent with STI. OxLDL increased CD36 expression in NRK-52E cells. These results suggest that the expression of CD36 is associated with renal tubular damages in experimental rat diabetes.

To investigates the condition and the mechanism of the formation of mummy in Shanghai region. Three cases of mummy were normaly examinated. It showed that the formation condition of mummy were influenced by season, scene, and the corpse keeping methods etc. In warm and damp southern region in Shanghai, the mummy formation depended on lower temperature, dry environment season, dehydrated and hunger before death, and interfered factors like ventilating and turning over corpse frequently.
Autopsy ; China ; Embalming/methods* ; Environment, Controlled ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Mummies ; Temperature ; Weather