Child ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Enterovirus Infections ; Humans

Objective To establish a specific fluorescence quantitative method for determining the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor3(TLR3)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).Methods Using the Beacon Designer 2.1 software,specific primers and Taqman-MGB probe were designed.The plasmid pMD18-T-TLR3 was constructed as calibrator and the amplified fragment was obtained by reverse- transcript-PCR(RT-PCR).RNA quantification based on cycle threshold values(Ct)was used to establish the standard curve.According to which,the TLR3 mRNA levels in 30 normal individuals,20 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)and 20 ones with chronic liver cirrhosis induced by HBV were calculated automatically by software after the fluorescence of PCR product was detected continuously during amplification.Results The linear detection range of the assay for TLR3 gene and ?-actin was 10~2-10~8(r= -0.9974)and 10~3～10~8(r=-0.9984),respectively.The coefficient of variation of both intra-and inter- assay reproducibility for high concentration sample were 6.7% and 8.7%,respectively,and those for low concentration sample were 12.3% and 14.0%.The TLR3 mRNA expression level ranges from 3.46?10~2- 4.51?10~3 copies/?g RNA,4.92?10~2-1.42?10~4 copies/?g RNA and 2.58?10~2-7.17?10~3 copies/?g RNA for 30 healthy individuals,20 PBC patients and 20 ones with chronic liver cirrhosis induced by HBV, respectively.Conclusion We have successfully set up a FQ-RT-PCR method for detecting TLR3 mRNA, which may be used as an excellent tool for the clinic and basic study on the expression of TLR3 gene.

The leakage of genetically engineered microorganism(GEM) at the beginning of operation was the important content for ecological risk assessment when GEM was inoculated in a membrane bioreactor(MBR) for bioaugmentation. The effects of different operating conditions on leaking density and intercepting efficiency of GEM were investigated in a submerged microfiltration MBR at the beginning of operation. The interception characteristics were also discussed. The results showed that different operating conditions had different influences on intercepting efficiency:higher sludge concentration was profit for interception,while higher aeration intensity and flux had opposite effects on interception. When the inoculated density of GEM was 1.0?1010 CFU/mL,the leaking densities varied from 1.0?102 CFU/mL to 2.5?102 CFU/mL under different operating conditions at the beginning of operation and the maximum intercepting efficiency could be higher than 8 lg. The main factors determining intercepting efficiency at the beginning of operation were membrane module interception,sludge adsorption as well as suspended GEM transfer inhibition and their contribution shares under certain conditions were 82.3%,14.9% and 2.8%,respectively. Gel layer formation during MBR stable operation was helpful to increase intercepting efficiency. The contribution shares for GEM interception of membrane module,sludge and gel layer were 75.3%,10.7% and 14.0%,respectively,under certain conditions.

According to the characteristics of sludge samples from full-scale wastewater treatment bioreac-tors, the essential total DNA extraction method for most environmental samples, lysozyme-SDS-phenol/ chloroform method, was modified to improve sample pretreatment, intensify cell lysis and enhance the effi-ciency of impurity removal. Obtain a general total DNA extraction method for industrial sludge samples. Such a method was applied for total DNA extraction of sludge samples from several running full-scale an- aerobic or aerobic bioreactors in Shijiazhuang, China. The results indicated that the modified method was suitable for all the sludge samples in this study, showing the satisfying generality. The extracted total DNA of all sludge samples were pure, with about 1.8 of A260/ A280 ratio. The method was also efficient; with average total DNA yield of over 0.7 mg/g and maximum yield of 0.85 mg/g. Moreover, all the extracted to- tal DNA samples could serve as templates directly to amplify 16S rDNA by PCR. The PCR products could be separated well by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and the DGGE band patterns were clear enough to be used for further analysis. All these facts indicated that the total DNA extraction method provided in this study could meet the requirements of sludge samples research, from full-scale wastewater treatment bioreactors, using molecular biology technologies.

Usage of reverse genetic techniques in the research area of the fundamental etiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), has resolved the issue about the function of viral gene of FMDV on genomic integer level. At present, a further recognition and apprehension for the molecular etiology of FMDV based on the development in reverse genetics was made. Combined with the research work in our labs, we reviewed international advances about the molecular pathogenic mechanism, the relationship be-tween virulence and variation in the genomes, influencing factors for the viral replication, and the develop-ment of new-type gene vaccine of FMD in this article, and propose the potential research aspects in reverse genetics of FMDV in the future.

AIM To study the effect of azone on transdermal absorption of 6-gingerol.METHODS In vitro transdermal diffusion test was performed by TP-6 horizontal diffusion pool.In vitro rat skins were selected as permeation barrier,the effects of different concentrations of ethanol and azone on permeation performance of 6-gingerol were investigated.RESULTS Both 30％ ethanol and 3％ azone contributed to the significant permeation enhancement of 6-gingerol.CONCLUSION This research can provide reference for the preparation of transdermal drug delivery systems containing 6-gingerol.

Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage by different interventions and explore the better treatments of peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty one cases of Bell's facial paralysis were randomly divided into three groups. In acupuncture group (44 cases), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. were applied; in electroacupuncture group (45 cases), the selection of acupoints and needling method were same as those in acupuncture group, and the electroacupuncture therapy was applied on Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5) in acute stage; in medication and acupuncture group (42 cases), Prednisone and Acyclovir were taken by oral administration, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12, were applied by intramuscular injection in acute stage, and acupuncture was applied by the way which was same as that in acupuncture group during quiescent and recovery stages. The curative effects were evaluated by House-Brackmann Grading Scale, and the failed rates were observed by follow-up after one and three months.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rates were 79.6% (35/44), 93.4% (42/45) and 78.6% (33/42) respectively in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The cured rates above tympanichord were 54.2% (13/24), 85.2% (23/27) and 48.0% (12/25) in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences of cured rates below tympanichord among three groups (P > 0.05); and the failed rate in electroacupuncture group was much lower than those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group by follow-up after one and three months (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe peripheral facial paralysis is effectively treated by electroacupuncture in acute stage, and it suggests that electroacupuncture should be applied early during the acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of intra- and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and growth restriction in premature infants, and to illustrate the growth pattern of them in postnatal and infantile period.

METHODSAll premature infants were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the recent 7 years. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age < 37 weeks; (2) single fetus; (3) admitted within the first 24 hours of life; (4) hospitalization period ≥ 14 days; (5) clinical follow-up persisted till ≥ 3 months of corrected gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), EUGR and growth restriction were defined as having a measured growth value (weight) that was ≤ 10(th) percentile of Chinese infants' growth curve in corrected age on admission, discharge and follow-up period. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 statistical software package by chi-square test, rank-sum test, and t test.

RESULTSTwo hundred and thirty nine infants were involved, 134 were boys and 105 girls. The incidence of IUGR and EUGR assessed by weight was 25.5% and 40.6%, respectively. The lower the birth weight was, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR was. The percentile of body weight in the growth curve at discharge was lower than that at birth (Z = -7.784, P = 0.000). The incidence of growth restriction assessed by weight was 20.5%, 15.0%, 8.8%, 17.0%, 10.4%, 10.1%, 11.9%, 7.0% at corrected gestational age of 38 - 40 weeks, corrected age of 28 d, 61 d, 91 d, 122 d, 152 d, 183 d, and 274 d, respectively. The incidences of growth restriction were stable when the corrected age was older than 91 days. The incidence of growth restriction in female premature infants at 183 days' corrected age was higher than that in male children (χ(2) = 6.181, P = 0.017), the incidence was 19.3% and 3.8% respectively. During the follow-up period, most of the average body weight of premature infants whose gestational age was < 32 weeks or birth weight ≤ 1500 g were lower than the 50(th) percentile of the growth curve except the average body weight of boys whose gestational age < 32 weeks at corrected age of 2 and 4 months.

CONCLUSIONSPremature and/or low birth weight infants are at high risk of growth restriction, especially very low birth weight infants. The incidence of growth restriction decreased with growth. Long-term prognosis requires further investigation.

Body Weight ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Weight Gain

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to determine the early growth patterns of preterm infants who required prolonged hospitalisation in terms of body weight Z-score, and to explore the influencing factors and predictors of their growth.

METHODSThe criteria of enrolment included preterm birth, singleton pregnancy, hospitalisation within the first 24 hours of life, hospital stay ≥ 28 days and clinical follow-up beyond 91 days of corrected age. Body weight Z-scores and the incidence of underweight infants were reviewed periodically, and the influencing factors and possible predictors of growth analysed.

RESULTSBody weight Z-scores of all infants of gestational age (GA) groups kept decreasing, with a trough seen at 36 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). At corrected full-term, body weight Z-scores for all birth weight groups achieved birth level and were higher than that at 36 weeks CGA. Body weight Z-scores at 61 days corrected age was (-0.300 × GA [weeks] + 0.210 × birth weight [g] + 0.682 × body weight Z-score) at 40 weeks CGA. The cut-off values for body weight Z-score at birth (cut-off, -1.79; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 91.3%) and 61 days corrected age (cut-off, -1.95; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97.1%) were selected to predict the risk of being underweight at 183 days corrected age.

CONCLUSIONEarly growth restriction is a practical problem in preterm infants with prolonged hospitalisation. Body weight Z-scores at 40 weeks CGA and 61 days corrected age can be used to predict body weight gain prior to 183 days corrected age in these infants.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Length of Stay ; trends ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology