OBJECTIVEThe study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (ASI) on the activation of microglial cells.

METHODAfter pre-incubated with ASI for 2 h, microglial cells BV-2 were stimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) for 1. 5 h and 24 h, respectively. Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium was measured by Griess method. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was detected by ELISA approach. Cellular gene expressions of CD11b, TNF-α, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were examined by quantitative-PCR analysis. Total and phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB was analyzed by Western blot method.

RESULTASI could significantly inhibit the increased secretion of TNF-α and NO from BV-2 cells upon IFN-γ stimulation (P < 0.001). Further study showed that ASI significantly down-regulated gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and exhibited a trend to reduce that of iNOS. IFN-γ and ASI have no obvious effect on gene expression of CD11b. Moreover, ASI inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB elicited by IFN-γ stimulation.

CONCLUSIONASI could restrain microglial activation through interfering STAT1/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing gene expres- sion of IL-1β and TNF-α, and thus inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of gallbladder chaotic dynamics after partial gastrec-tomy. Methods 140 cases operated by partial gastrectomy after 6 months were randomly examined, they in-cluded one group of 40 cases by Billroth type and the other 100 cases by Eiselsberg type. The ultrasonograph was applied to evaluate the function of gallbladder dynamics and radio-immunity method to determine the content of CCK at the time of having no food and 30 minutes after med. Results BV and RV of Eiselsberg group were bigger than Billroth Ⅰ obviously P<0.05. Gallbladder contraction rate displayed not well obvi-ously as too. The plasm level of CCK had no manifested distinctions in empty stomach cases of the 2 groups, but the increasing gradient plasm level of CCK in Billroth Ⅰ exceeded Eiselsberg type. Conclusions The pathogenesis of gallbladder chaotic dynamics after partial gastrectomy was correlated with the alterative type of partial gastrectomy, the reduction of CCK plasm level, the damage of anterior vagal trunk hepatic branches during the operations and so on led to the disorder of gallbladder emptying and induced cholecystolithiasis.

Objective To study the role of Mycoplasma genitalium(Mg)infection in chronic non- bacterial prostatitis.Methods Culture and two PCR systems were performed on prostatic secretion specimens from 487 patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis and 75 health men in Changchun regions. Results positive rate of Mg in the prostatic secretion from the 487 patients was 7.39% (36/487);In the controls,the positive rate of Mg was 1.33%(1/75).The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (X~2=3.88,P

This paper aims to establish a method for the determination of sulfur dioxide in sulfur fumigation Chinese herbs. Sample powder and hydrochloric acid solution were isolated by paraffin layer in order to avoid early reactions, with the generation of sulfur dioxide, headspace with airtight needle was used to transfer sulfur dioxide into gas chromatograph, and detected with thermal conductivity detector. The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of 12 herbs, spiked at four concentration levels. In general, the recoveries ranging from 70% to 110%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) within 15%, were obtained. The limit of detection (LOD) was below 10 mg x kg(-1). Standard addition can be used for low recovery samples. The method is simple, less time-consuming, specific and sensitive. Methods comparison revealed that gas chromatography is better than traditional titration in terms of method operability, accuracy and specificity, showing good application value.
Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Fumigation ; Limit of Detection ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the enhancement patterns of liver metastases and their influencing factors using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: A total of 240 patients (139 male and 101 female; 58.5±11.2 years of age) diagnosed with liver metastases in our hospital were enrolled in this study to evaluate tumor characteristics using CEUS. A comparison of enhancement patterns with tumor size and primary tumor type was performed using the chi-square test. The differences between quantitative variables were evaluated with the independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The enhancement patterns of liver metastases on CEUS were categorized as diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement (133/240, 55.4%), rim-like hyperenhancement (80/240, 33.3%), heterogeneous hyperenhancement (10/240, 4.2%), and isoenhancement (17/240, 7.1%). There were significant differences in the enhancement patterns during the arterial phase based on the nodule size (p=0.001). A total of 231 of the nodules showed complete washout during the portal phase, and 237 nodules were hypoenhanced during the delayed phase. The washout time was correlated with tumor vascularity, with a longer washout time observed in hypervascular metastases compared to hypovascular metastases (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement followed by rapid washout was the most common enhancement pattern of liver metastases on CEUS and was affected by the nodule size and tumor vascularity. Small metastases were prone to show diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement. Hyper-vascular metastases showed a significantly longer washout time compared to hypovascular metastases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/blood supply/*diagnostic imaging/secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography/*methods ; Young Adult

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) were biodegradable thermoplastics. Due to their broad applications, direct biosynthesis of PHA from inexpensive substrates, such as carbohydrates, is actively pursued. It has been recently revealed that (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-ACP: CoA transacylase (PhaG) played an important role in this pathway. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was developed for the rapid and specific identification of phaG gene from various bacteria. Using the PCR strategy, the complete open reading frames of two phaG genes from Pseudomonas stutzeri 1317 and Pseudomonas nitroreducens 0802 were cloned from the genomic DNA and functionally expressed in Pseudomonas putida PHAGN-21. Furthermore, this strategy was successful applied in non-Pseudomonas strains, such as Burkholderia. These results suggest that PhaG-mediated pathway of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates was widespread among bacteria.
Acyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Burkholderia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polyhydroxyalkanoates ; biosynthesis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pseudomonas ; enzymology ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment

Objectives: To compare the short-term and mid-term outcomes of elderly patients (>60 years old) with valvular heart disease (VHD) underwent bioprosthetic or mechanical valve replacement. Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2010, 559 elderly patients underwent valve replacement in Fuwai Hospital, clinical data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively (319 cases with bioprostheses vs 240 cases with mechanical prostheses). After matching, data from 192 cases in each group were compared. Results: The mortality within 30 postoperative days were similar (2.1% in both groups). All-cause death during follow up was also similar between the two groups (13.6% vs 13.7%, P=0.98). There was no statistically significant difference on the hospital readmission rate between the two groups (25.5% vs 35.9%, P=0.17). No significant difference was found on thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events free survival between the two groups (144 cases vs 138 cases, P=0.78). Conclusions: Short-term and mid-term survival and readmission rate are similar for the elderly VHD patients receiving bioprosthetic or mechanical valve replacement.

OBJECTIVETo clone the disease-causing genes possibly existing in 6.8 cM distance between microsatellite markers D12S1720 and D12S1611 in chromosome 12q24 for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2L (CMT2L).

METHODSTen positional and functional candidate genes were chosen among all known genes in this locus region by bioinformatics inqury. Mutation detection was performed by sequencing the exons and intron-exon junctions of the candidate genes.

RESULTSEleven sequence variations, that included 5 heterozygous and 6 homozygous variations, were detected in the exons and flanking areas of the 10 candidate genes. All the variations showed no co-segregation with disease phenotype.

CONCLUSIONTen candidate genes(TAOK3, RAB35, RPLP0, PXN, RNF10, RHOF, VPS33A, RSN, DENR, RNP24) were ruled out as the disease-causing gene for CMT2L. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were reported for the first time.

Base Sequence ; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; genetics ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA ; analysis ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques

BACKGROUNDHereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders with the shared characteristics of slowly progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs. Thirteen loci for autosomal dominant HSP have been mapped.

METHODSA Chinese family with HSP was found in the Shandong province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China and genomic DNA of all 19 family members was isolated. After exclusion of known autosomal dominant loci, a genome wide scan and linkage analysis were performed.

RESULTSThe known autosomal dominant loci of SPG3A, SPG4, SPG6, SPG8, SPG9, SPG10, SPG12, SPG13, SPG17, SPG19, SPG29, SPG31 and SPG33 were excluded by linkage analysis. The results of a genome wide scan demonstrated candidate linkage to a locus on chromosome 11p14.1-p11.2, over an 18.88 cM interval between markers D11S1324 and D11S1933. A maximal, two point LOD score of 2.36 for marker D11S935 at a recombination fraction (theta) of 0 and a multipoint LOD score of 2.36 for markers D11S1776, D11S1751, D11S1392, D11S4203, D11S935, D11S4083, and D11S4148 at theta=0, suggest linkage to this locus.

CONCLUSIONThe HSP neuropathy in this family may represent a novel genetic entity, which will facilitate discovery of this causative gene.

Adult ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; Female ; Humans ; Lod Score ; Male ; Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the etiology of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in hospitalized children in Suzhou from 2005 to 2011.

METHODSA total of 10 243 hospitalized children with ARI in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from September 2005 to October 2011 were enrolled in the study. The clinical information was collected; and the nasopharyngeal aspiration fluid and serum samples were sent for multi-pathogen detection. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus type A and B (IV-A, IV-B), parainfluenza virus type 1-3 (PIV-1-PIV-3) and adenovirus (ADV) were detected by direct immunofluorescence assay. Human bocavirus (HBoV), mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR while human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Sputum culture was applied to detect bacterial infection and quantitative ELISA was adopted to detect the specific antibodies of MP and CP. The results of the above detections were analyzed, and thereby to explore the prevalent pathogens among different aging children and the seasonal distribution and characteristics of the disease.

RESULTSAt least one type of pathogen was detected in 5871 out of 10 243 hospitalized children and the overall positive rate was 57.32%; including 3326 virus samples with positive rate at 32.47% (3326/10 243), 2870 bacteria samples with positive rate at 28.02% (2870/10 243) and 2759 atypical pathogen samples,with positive rate at 26.94% (2759/10 243). MP was the most common pathogen,whose detected rate was 25.74% (2637/10 243). The median age of children with RSV (6 months) or PIV-3(8 months) infection was younger than the median age of all hospitalized children (12 months) (χ(2) = 380.992, 34.826, P < 0.05). While the median age of children with ADV (42 months), HBoV (14 months) or IV-A (24 months) infection was older than it of all hospitalized children (χ(2) = 83.583, 13.169, 18.012, P < 0.05). The median age of children with MP (30 months),streptococcus pneumoniae (17 months) or haemophilus parainfluenzae (21 months) infection was older than it of all hospitalized children (χ(2) = 728.299, 60.463, 8.803, P < 0.05). The detected rate of RSV in the groups of children aging less than 6 months, 7-12 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years and over 6 years was separately 25.59% (840/3283), 17.05% (333/1953), 11.85% (310/2615), 6.68% (90/1347), and 2.87% (30/1045); which decreased while the age grew (χ(2) = 178.46, P < 0.01). Conversely, the positive rate of MP increased with the age growing (χ(2) = 379.21, P < 0.01). The rate in the above groups was 8.25% (271/3283), 19.46% (380/1953), 33.00% (863/2615), 41.43% (558/1347), 54.07% (565/1045), respectively. RSV and IV-A were prevalent in winter, whose detected rates were 35.73% (941/2634) and 4.44% (117/2634) respectively.hMPV infection was common in spring, with the detected rate at 10.55% (278/2634); while HBoV infection was common in summer and autumn, with the positive rate at 9.99% (149/1491) and 9.71% (98/1009). MP and CP were frequently detected in summer, up to 31.27% (819/2619) and 10.07% (43/427) respectively. RSV was the most common pathogen in bronchiolitis (33.27% (866/2603)) and MP was the most common pathogen in bronchopneumonia (26.05% (1152/4422)) and lober pneumonia (52.25% (267/511)).

CONCLUSIONMP and RSV were the most common pathogens in respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children. The novel virus included hMPV and HBoV, which also played an important role in ARI. Different pathogens were prevalent in different ages; with respective seasonal distribution and characteristics.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; virology ; Seasons