Objective To study the relationship between diabetic retinopathy(DR) and Landsteiner-Wiener,Indian blood group genes.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 DR patients,and 160 unrelated volunteer blood donors(the control).CDNA,including LW gene generated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),was subjected to sequence analysis,and the genomic DNAs,extracted from each sample,were sequenced directly for LW gene and IN gene.Woolf method was used for calculating relative risk(RR).Results In the 160 control samples,there was A at the nt380 locus in Exon1 of the LW gene,which were genotyped as LWa;and there was G at the nt252 locus in Exon2 of the IN gene,which were genotyped as INb.All the 53 samples from DR patients were LWa homozygous genotypes and all INb homozygous genotypes.Conclusion These two candidate genes are not associated with the incidence of DR.

OBJECTIVE:To prepare Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate(PDS)hollow suppository and establish a method for its quality control.METHODS:The PDS hollow suppository was prepared with semisynthesis fatty acid glyceride as ground substances and PEG300 or 1,2 propylene glycol as disperse medium.The content of PDS was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at a detection wavelength of 251nm.RESULTS:The linear concentration range of PDS was 6.0～50.0?g?mL-1(r=0.999 9,n=5).The two kinds of PDS hollow suppository were all up to the quality standard.CONCLUSION:This method is reasonable in design and feasible in technology.

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and metabolic syndrome (MS)in the army elderly.Methods Totally 1 230 veterans (aged 70 years and over) from 26 military sanatorium in Shijiazhuang city were studied.The prevalence of BPH and MS was calculated.ResultsThe prevalence of BPH among the elderly was 77.0％.There was a trend of increase in the prevalence of BPH with increasing age (x2 = 50.4,P＜0.01).The prevalence of MS among the male elderly was 19.6％.MS was a risk factor for BPH(x2 =24.2,P＜0.0001).ConclusionsMS may be one of risk factors for the prevalence of BPH.

Effect of scalding on secretory function of beta-endorphin neuron in the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus was studied semiquantitatively using immunocytochemistry and image analysis. The results showed that the number of beta-endorphin neurons and area of positive products reduced significantly (P

Total mRNA was extracted from lymphocytes separated from the peripheral blood of allergic patients, and then variable region of heavy chain (VH) and variable region of light chain (VL) cDNA library were constructed by RT-PCR. Human scFv templates for rabbit reticulocyte lysate ribosome display were assembled by primers and linker peptide (Gly4Ser)3. mRNA bound in antibody-ribosome-mRNA complexes was recovered using in-situ single primer RT-PCR, and three rounds of anti-IgE scFv DNA were enriched. The target DNA fragments were double enzyme digested and ligated into plasmid pET22b (+), followed by transformation in E. coli Rosseta (DE3). Positive clones were screened using clone PCR, Dot blotting and antigen ELISA. The correct lengths of VH (400 bp) and VL (710 bp) PCR products were obtained. The expected 1,000 bp ribosome display templates were also observed in agarose gel electrophoresis. After three rounds of ribosome display target sequences were effectively enriched, leading to a library of 10(13) members. Antibodies with the highest ELISA value for IgE were generated in the strain pET-IgE-6. A human anti-IgE scFv library was successfully constructed as described herein. Ribosome display using single primer in-situ RT-PCR as the recovery procedure effectively enriched target sequences. Anti-IgE scFv with high affinity and specificity were identified. The prepared human anti-IgE scFv fragment might be self-developed to a lead drug for treating asthma. Our study provides an alternative method for rapid discovery of human antibodies of therapeutic importance.

Objective To explore the association of NH2-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP) with the risk of type 2 diabetes.Methods One hundred and twenty-six impaired glucose regulation( IGR) participants from Diabetic Identification Center of Tianjin Metabolic Diseases Hospital were included.NT-proBNP was measured in plasma samples collected from participants at baseline condition.Results At baseline, NT-proBNP was inversely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose, insulin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol( LDL-C) levels.During a follow-up of 2 years, 51 participants reported a new diagnosis of diabetes from OGTT.Baseline quartiles of NT-proBNP were inversely associated with diabetes risk, even after multivariable adjustment.Theadjustedrelativerisksfordiabeteswere1.0(reference),0.83(95%CI0.74-0.96),0.78(95%CI 0.68-0.90), 0.74 (95%CI 0.64-0.87) for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of baseline NT-proBNP, respectively ( P<0.01 ) .Conclus ion In IGRpopulation , lowlevels of NT-proBNP were associated with a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Different methods have been utilized to prevent enamel demineralization and other complications during orthodontic treatment. However, none of these methods can offer long-lasting and effective prevention of orthodontic complications or interventions after complications occur. Considering the photocatalytic effect of TiO2 on organic compounds, we hoped to synthesize a novel bracket with a TiO2 thin film to develop a photocatalytic antimicrobial effect. METHODS: The sol-gel dip coating method was used to prepare TiO2 thin films on ceramic bracket surfaces. Twenty groups of samples were composed according to the experimental parameters. Crystalline structure and surface morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively; film thickness was examined with a surface ellipsometer. The photocatalytic properties under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation were analyzed by evaluating the degradation ratio of methylene blue (MB) at a certain time. Antibacterial activities of selected thin films were also tested against Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans. RESULTS: Films with 5 coating layers annealed at 700℃ showed the greatest photocatalytic activity in terms of MB decomposition under UV light irradiation. TiO2 thin films with 5 coating layers annealed at 700℃ exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity under UV-A light irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide promising guidance in prevention of demineralization by increasing antimicrobial activities of film coated brackets.
Candida albicans ; Ceramics* ; Crystallins ; Dental Enamel ; Esthetics ; Hope ; Lactobacillus acidophilus ; Methods ; Methylene Blue ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Ultraviolet Rays ; X-Ray Diffraction

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in elderly people is becoming increasingly a new hot spot for the clinical study of Alzheimer disease at present, and it is still unknown how many cases of MCI will convert into Alzheimer disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence rate of mild cognitive impairment and the conversion rates into dementia and Alzheimer disease among elderly people.DESIGN: A prospective cohort study based on diagnosis. SETTING: Second Department of Cadre's Ward, Bethune International Peace Hospital of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: The subjects were 216 MCI patients and 2 302 subjects with normal cognition selected in the baseline investigation to the retired cadres aged 60 years and above, in 26 military cadres' sanatoriums of Shijiazhuang city between August and September 2001.METHODS: The MCI diagnosis was according to the MCI diagnostic standard in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ), and the diagnosis of dementia was according to the standard in DSM-Ⅳ revised by American Psychiatric Association. Alzheimer disease was diagnosed according to the standards of National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/the Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA). All the 216 MCIpatients and 2 302 subjects with normal cognition were enrolled in the 3-year cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidences of MCI among subjects with normal cognition; the annual conversion rates into Alzheimer disease in MCI patients and subjects with normal cognition; the relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of MCI and normal cognition developing into Alzheimer disease. RESULTS: The MCI group and normal cognition group were followed up once every year for 3 years. Of the 216 MCI patients, 7 died, and 209 were followed up actually, and the follow-up rate was 96.8%. Of the 2 302 subjects with normal cognition, 36 died, and 2 266 were followed up actually,and the follow-up rate was 98.4%. ① In the elderly subjects with normal cognition, the annual incidence of MCI was 4.8%, and those of dementia and Alzheimer disease were 1.3% and 0.8 respectively. ② The annual in cidence rates of dementia and Alzheimer disease in MCI patients were 8.1% and 5.6% respectively, which were insignificantly different between males and females (P ＞ 0.05). ③ The incidence rates of dementia and Alzheimer disease showed a descending trend with the elevation of educational level in both the MCI patients (trend x2 =5.57, P=0.02; trend x2 =4.92, P=0.03) and the subjects with normal cognition (trend x2 =23.1, P＜ 0.001; trend x2 =18.0, P ＜ 0.001). ④ The annual incidence rates of dementia and Alzheimer disease showed an ascending trend with aging in both the MCI patients (trend x2 =14.6, P ＜ 0.01; trend x2 =13.9, P ＜ 0.01) and the subjects with normal cognition (trend x2 =32.3, P ＜ 0.01; trend x2=23.8, P ＜ 0.01). ⑤ The relative risks of the conversion into dementia and Alz heimer disease in MCI patients were 6.4 and 7.4 times as many as those in the subjects with normal cognition.CONCLUSION: The risks of conversion into dementia and Alzheimer disease in elderly MCI patients are far higher than those in elderly people with normal cognition. It should be reinforced to monitor elderly MCI patients, who are the of high risk group of dementia.

OBJECTIVETo study the gene polymorphism of the Auberger antigens in Lutheran blood group system in Chinese population and establish a stable, accurate molecular method detecting Auberger antigens.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples from 162 randomly collected and unrelated volunteer blood donors were directly sequenced for the exon 12 at the gene locus of Auberger antigens. PCR products with novel nucleotide were further investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

RESULTSAuberger genotypes in the 162 Chinese individuals were obtained: Au(a+ b- )(nt1615A) was found in 119 individuals, Au(a+ b+ ) (nt1615A/G) in 40 individuals and Au(a- b+ ) (nt1615G) in 3 individuals. The allele frequencies of the Au(a) and Au(b) were 0.8580 and 0.1420, respectively. An individual with homozygous Au(a) genotype had a nucleotide mutation (1595 G to T). The mutation was confirmed by digesting the DNA with Hha I.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of gene polymorphism of Auberger antigens in a Chinese population was investigated and obtained. And a molecular method determining the Auberger antigen was established. A novel Lutheran allele was deposited in GenBank (accession number EU260043).

Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Lutheran Blood-Group System ; chemistry ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Genetic

so higher in diabetic patients 4 h after the meal (all P<0. 05). Positive correlation existed between serum triglycerides and white blood cell counting, neutrophils, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(r were between 0.268 and 0.548, all P<0.05).