Objective To investigate the relationship between a mutation in the platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase gene (Arg92→His) and psoriasis. Methods Genomic DNA was analyzed in 47 patients with psoriasis and 52 healthy controls via polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results The frequency of the mutation in the PAF acetylhydrolase gene (Arg92→His) was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than that in the controls (P

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning.

METHODSWhen the patients were admitted or on the secondary day, the percentages of total T-cell lymphocyte subsets (CD(3)(+)CD(19)(-)), CD(4)(+)T cells (CD(3)(+)CD(4)(+)), CD(8)(+)T cells (CD(3)(+)CD(8)(+)), B cells (CD(3)(-)CD(19)(+)) and NK cells (CD(3)(-)CD(16)(+)CD(56)(+)), and the ration of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) in 37 cases with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning and 49 healthy controls were detected with flow cytometer.

RESULTSThe total T-cell percentage and total CD(4)(+)T cell percentage in 37 cases were significantly lower than those in 47 controls (P < 0.05). The percentages of NK cells and B lymphocytes in 37 cases significantly increased, as compared with controls (P < 0.05). The ration of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) in 37 cases significantly decreased, as compared with controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lymphocyte subsets in the patients with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning changed, which could influence the immune function of patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gas Poisoning ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrochloric Acid ; poisoning ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the influence of coal-arsenic exposure on human T cells proliferation and its mechanism.Methods Blood samples colleoted from individuals which lived in arsenism area of coal-burning type and non-arsenism area in Guizhou Province were divided into exposed group(17),mild(35),moderate(38) and severe arsenism group(19)and control group(35)according to Diagnosis Smndard for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001).T cell stimulation index wag determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)colorimetric method.The intracellular Ca2+ exponential(IECa2+)in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)was analyzed by Fho-3/AM dye and flow cytometry.DNA binding activity of actively T cells nuclear factor(NF-AT)in PBMC was evaluated by electrophoretie mobility shift assay(EMSA).Results Concanavalin A(ConA)stimulation decreased the T cells stimulation indexes in exposed group,mild,moderate and severe arsenism groups(1.315±0.962, 1.611±1.224,1.114±0.545,1.289±0.875)compared with control group(2.322±1.241),all the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.01).After stimulated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody(McAb),the T cells stimulation index in exposed group,mild,moderate and severe arsenism group(0.997±0.177,1.103±0.291,1.007±0.221, 0.957±0.205) were lower than that of control group(1.842±0.429,P ＜ 0.01 ). IECa2+ of PBMC after treated by anti-CD3 McAb in mild,moderate and severe arsenism group( 110.130±49.637,92.429±31.191,77.640± 35.372) were lower compared with control group(145.986±59.450,P ＜0.01 ). Moreover,IECa2+ in moderat and severe arsenism group were lower than exposed group(121.337±46.410,P ＜ 0.05). DNA binding activity of PBMC NF-AT in mild,moderate and severe arsenism group(1.354±0.446,1.290±0.291,1.159±0.411 ) were lowered than that of control group(1.722±0.291,P ＜ 0.01) and exposed group(1.611±0.294,P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The coal-arsenic exposure can reduce the human T cells stimulation indexes,IECa2+ in PBMC and the DNA binding activity of NF-AT. It suggest that arsenic may suppress the proliferation ability of human T cells,which may be partly related to the influence of arsenic on T cell receptor(TCR)/CD3 signal transduetion pathway.

Objective To investigate the activation of T lymphocytes in human peripheral blood and the signaling molecules in protein kinase C/nuclear factor KB(PKC/NF-κB) pathway expressivity or activity changes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) exposed to coal-arsenic,to explore the role of PKC/NF-κB signal pathway in activation of T cells in human exposed to coal-arsenic. Methods Blood samples were collected from individuals who lived in arsenism area of coal-burning in Guizhou province, and were divided into asymptomatically exposed group (12),mild arsenism group (33),moderate arsenism group (34) and severe arscnism group (15) according to Diagnosis Standard for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001). The individuals who lived in non-arsenism area were control group(27). The ratio of activated T ceils was analyzed by flow cytometry. DNA binding activity of NF-κB in PBMCs was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA). The expression of PKCθ and phospho-PKCθ(pPKCθ) in PBMCs were detected with western blotting analysis. Results The ratio of activating T cells in asymptomatically exposed group[(21.76±15.31)%],mild arsenism group[(18.41±11.36)%],moderate arsenism group[(17.78±11.93)%]and severe arsenism group[(18.79±13.38)%]were all higher than that of control group[(3.19±2.12)%],the difference among all groups being statistically significant(F = 7.893,P < 0.05). DNA binding activity of PBMCs NF-κB in asymptomatically exposed group,mild arsenism group,moderate arsenism group and severe arsenism group(1.49±0.24,1.58±0.30,1.57±0.34,1.51±0.16) were higher than that of the control group(1.30±0.17),the difference being statistically sign/ficant(P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The expression of PBMCs pPKCθ in mild arsenism group,moderate arsenism group and severe arsenism group(0.64± 0.14,0.64±0.27,0.62±0.12) were all lower than that of the control group(0.93±0.20),the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between the expression of pPKCθ and the activity of NF-κB(r =-0.565,P < 0.01). There were significant positive correlations between the activity of NF-κB and the ratio of activating T cells(r = 0.546,P < 0.01). Conclusion Coal-arsenic enhances the DNA binding activity of NF-κB,reduces the expression of PBMCs pPKCθ in human PBMCs and up-regulates the activity of T cells. It suggests that the PKC/NF-κB signal might be one of transduction pathway via activating of T cells by coal-arsenic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate MRI findings of osteochondral lesions in the talus;to evaluate the value of MRI in diagnosing and determining the stage of osteochondral lesions;to analyze the follow up clinical value of MRI in osteochondral transplantation of autologous bone.

METHODSA total of 79 patients from February 2013 to March 2015 had been retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated in our hospital. The ankle arthroscopy results were used as the reference standard, and the accuracy of MRI in diagnosis and Hepple staging had been investigated. Fifteen patients with cartilage transplantation of autologous bone were followed up with MRI examination and evaluation of cartilage repair score(MOCART) after one year. The values of MRI in the postoperative follow up were analyzed.

RESULTSHepple staging of 79 patients was shown as follows:7 cases of stage I, 12 cases of stage II, 24 cases of stage III, 16 cases of stage IV, and 20 cases of stage V. Ankle arthroscopy grading of 59 patients in this group(in addition of 20 cases of stage V):2 cases of grade A, 2 cases of grade B, 4 cases of grade C, 14 cases of grade D, 22 cases of grade E, and 15 cases of grade F. The accuracy rate of MRI in determining Hepple V was set at 100%, and Hepple stage I corresponds to the arthroscopic A, B, C stage, stage II corresponds to D stage, stage III corresponds to E stage, stage IV corresponds to F stage. The accuracy rate of MRI in determining Hepple stage I to IV was 87.5%, 85.7%, 95.4% and 93.3% respectively. After cartilage transplantation of autologous bone, MRI of 15 patients showed cartilage surface in transplanted area was smooth, bone healed well, and the surrounding edema disappeared. The MOCART was 30 to 80 scores with an average score 59.0±15.6;9 cases of these 15 patients were(9/15, 60%) higher than 60 score.

CONCLUSIONSMRI plays a significant role in clinical diagnosis and staging of the talus osteochondral injury. As a method of long term follow up after cartilage transplantation, MRI can well evaluate the rapair of the postoperative osteochondral injury.

Due to the ability of overcoming both the dimensionality and the collinear problems of the spectral data, partial least squares ( PLS ) is in ever increasingly used for quantitative spectrometric analysis, especially for near-infrared spectrum, mid-infrared spectrum and Raman spectrum. In this work, an improved PLS algorithm is proposed for efficient information extraction and noise reduction. The spectral variables are clustering to several subsets, and several sub-models are built for each subset. Then, the sub-models are re-weighted and ensemble to the final model. Experiments on two near-infrared datasets ( octane number prediction in gasoline and nicotine prediction in tobacco leafs ) demonstrate that the new method provides superior prediction performance and outperformed the conventional PLS algorithm, and the root mean square error of prediction ( RMSEP) is reduced by 32% and 22%, respectively.

BACKGROUNDLittle is known about neuronal death mechanisms following spinal cord ischemia. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSRabbits sustained spinal cord ischemia following 45 minutes cross-clamping of the infrarenal aorta. Experimental groups were as follows: the first group of animals (sham, n = 8) underwent laparotomy alone and served as the sham group; the second group (I/R, n = 20) received carrier (3 ml saline solution) and served as the control group; the third group (PTX-A, n = 20) received PTX intravenously 10 minutes prior to ischemia; and the fourth group (PTX-B, n = 20) received PTX intravenously at the onset of reperfusion. Rabbits were evaluated for hind-limb motor function with the Tarlov scoring system at 48 hours. Serum was assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and spinal cords were harvested for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathological analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, and the number of necrotic and apoptotic neuron were counted and data analyzed at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of reperfusion. Spinal cords were studied by electron microscopy.

RESULTSImproved Tarlov scores were seen in PTX-treated rabbits as compared with ischemic control rabbits at 48 hours. A significant reduction was found in TNF-alpha in serum, activity of MPO and immunoreactivity of the PECAM-1 and caspase-3 in PTX-treated rabbits. There were fewer apoptotic neurons than necrotic neurons (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in both necrotic and apoptotic neurons was observed in the PTX-treated groups (PTX-A and PTX-B) compared with the I/R group (P < 0.05). Both necrotic and apoptotic neurons were found with the electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONSPTX may induce protection against ischemia injury in the spinal cord, thereby preventing both necrosis and apoptosis. A major mode of cell death in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is necrosis while apoptosis is not dominant.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Necrosis ; Pentoxifylline ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Spinal Cord ; blood supply ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; prevention & control ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antiviral activity and safety of entecavir in patients with chronic HBV infection as a preliminarily step in selecting 0.1 mg or 0.5 mg as a better dosage for a further large scale clinical trial.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled and dose-ranging trial of entecavir usage in 212 patients with chronic HBV infection. The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 0.1 mg entecavir (69), 0.5 mg entecavir (72) and, placebo (71) groups and treated for 28 days. The patients were then followed for 56 days without treatment.

RESULTSThe proportion of subjects who achieved the primary endpoint at day 28, with their HBV DNA level decreased >2 log or undetectable, was significantly greater in the entecavir 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg dose groups compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01 for both comparisons). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 was greater for entecavir 0.1mg and 0.5 mg groups compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 for entecavir 0.5 mg group was greater than that of the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). During the 56-day post-dosing follow-up phase, the entecavir 0.5 mg group was associated with greater and more sustained suppression of viral replication than the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). There were no clinically meaningful differences in the incidence of any adverse events between the entecavir dosing and the placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONEntecavir at both 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg doses demonstrated superior antiviral activity compared with a placebo. Since the entecavir 0.5 mg dose appears to have greater antiviral activity than the 0.1 mg dose and with a comparable safety and tolerability profile, the 0.5 mg entecavir dose could be used in further trials.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guanine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

Autopsy ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; Enterovirus ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus B, Human ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

In the present study, the genome shuffling was used to improve lipase production of Penicillium expansum. A lipase producing mutant strain-Penicillium expansum FS8486 and a wild type of Aspergillus Tamarii FS-132 isolated from soil of a volcano in Xinjiang were used as the parental strains. After two rounds of genome shuffling, several elite daughter strains were screened. The lipase activity in one of the daughter strains was increased 317% over the starting strain FS8486. Comparisons of the morphology, RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) polymorphism and the fatty acid compositions between the daughter and the parental strains suggested that the filial generation were generated by genome shuffling. In this study, the genome shuffling used successfully first time in eukaryotic microorganism and increases the production of the desired metabolite in short time, the study will be useful to spread the genome shuffling in eukaryotic microbial breeding.
Aspergillus ; genetics ; DNA Shuffling ; methods ; Genetic Enhancement ; methods ; Genome, Fungal ; genetics ; Lipase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Penicillium ; enzymology ; genetics ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique