Objective To analyze catheter-related bloodstream infections due to Rhizobium radiation (R.radiobacter) in pediatric patients.Methods Clinical data of 1 014 pediatric patients with intravascular catheterization were collected from February 2012 to February 2014,including age,length of time a catheter remained in place,laboratory findings and outcome of R.radiobacter bloodstream infection in order to explore the factors for R.radiobacter infection.Results There were 26 children contracting R.radiobacter bloodstream infection children,and of them,21 were under 2 years old (80.77％),and the length of time for catheter dwelt in vessel longer than 5 days in 20 children (76.92％).There were significant differences in age under 2 years old,length of time longer than 5 days for catheter remained in place,CD4 and CD4/ CD8 between 26 children with R.radiobacter infection and uninfected children (P ＜ 0.01).The re-infection with different varieties of bacterial strains was found in 12 of all R.radiobacter infection children (46.15％) after treatment,and of them,R.radiobacter bloodstream infection was detected twice in 2 children,and 2 died (7.69％).Conclusions Age under 2 years old,the length of time for intra-vascular catheter remained in place longer than 5 days,and weakened immunity are the important risk factors of R.radiobacter bloodstream infection,and the improper medical care may be the cause of re-infections in pediatric patients with prolonged intra-vascular catheter-dwelling.

Objective To study the mechanisms of Curcumin-induced apoptosis on human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901.Methods SC,C-7901 cells were treated with various concentrations of Curcumin and the growth inhibition rates of it were accessed by MTT method.Apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were in- spected by flow cytometry.The expression of Fas and survivin in gastric cancer cells were evaluated by west- ern blot.Results Curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners,the sub-peak appeared and the apoptotic rate was increased.The expressions of Fas was higher in Western blot,meanwhile,the expressions of survivin was decreased.Conclusion Curcumin could significantly inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells(SGC-7901),Curcumin could probably through up-regulating Fas and down-regulating surviving to induce apoptosis.

In this paper, we summarize the major problems existing in establishing gastric cancer patient-derived xenograft ( PDX) models and its solutions, and introduce its advantages on screening targeted drugs. As many previous re?search emphasized on individual characteristics too much, we argue that we should pay more attention to the generality of what we are studying in order to analyze the genotype of PDX models before taking a targeted therapy.

The vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), the rate-limiting enzyme for vitamin K recycling, is significantly down-regulated in the kidneys of urolithiasis patients. This study searched for direct evidence to define the inhibitory activity of VKORC1 against calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation. In the experiment of VKORC1 overexpression, HK-2 cells were transfected with the pFLAG-CMV-7.1-VKORC1 plasmid as a pFLAG-CMV-7.1-VKORC1 transfection group or the pFLAG-CMV-7.1 plasmid as a pFLAG-CMV-7.1 control group. In the experiment of VKORC1 knockdown, HK-2 cells were transfected with the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-VKORC1shRNA-2 as a PGPU6/GFP/Neo-VKORC1shRNA-2 transfection group or the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-NC plasmid as a PGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-NC control group. The expression of VKORC1 in HK-2 cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The CaOx crystal formation was observed under the laser-scanning confocal microscope. It was found that the expression levels of VKORC1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the pFLAG-CMV-7.1-VKORC1 transfection group than in the pFLAG-CMV-7.1 control group (P<0.01). The number of CaOx crystals in HK-2 cells incubated in fluorescently labeled CaOx monohydrate (COM) crystal medium for 48 h was 14±4 per field (100×) in the pFLAG-CMV-7.1-VKORC1 transfection group and 26±5 per field (100×) in the pFLAG-CMV-7.1 control group respectively under the laser-scanning confocal microscope. The amount of CaOx crystal aggregation and formation in the pFLAG-CMV-7.1-VKORC1 transfection group was significantly reduced as compared with the pFLAG-CMV-7.1 control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of VKORC1 mRNA and protein were significantly lower in the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-VKORC1shRNA-2 transfection group than in the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-NC control group (P<0.05). The number of CaOx crystals in HK-2 cells incubated in fluorescently labeled COM crystal medium was 65±11 per field (100×) in the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-VKORC1shRNA-2 transfection group and 24±6 per field (100×) in the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-NC control group respectively under the laser-scanning confocal microscope. The amount of CaOx crystal aggregation and formation in the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-VKORC1shRNA-2 transfection group was significantly increased as compared with the PGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-NC control group (P<0.05). These findings suggested that the VKORC1 protein could inhibit CaOx salt crystallization, adhesion and aggregation. This research would help us to understand the mechanisms involving the interaction between crystallization and epithelial cells and the formation of CaOx.

AIMTo study the role of NO in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) in the development of stress-induced hypertension (SIH).

METHODSThe model of stress-induced hypertension (SIH) rat was established by electric-foot in company with noise, NADPH-d histochemistry technique was used to investigate the change of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons. Selecting and using microinjection and radioimmunoassay, we studied the effects of blood pressure and the content of Ach in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) after microinjection of L-NNA into PAG.

RESULTS(1) The blood pressure increased, the cell number decreased and the grey degree value increased for the NOS positive neurons of PAG dorsolateral subdivision in SIH rats, and the content of Ach increased in RVLM. (2) Following microinjection of 100 mmol/L 0.1 microl L-NNA into PAG, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the content of Ach in RVLM increased in control rats, whereas the change of MAP was significantly smaller in SIH rats than control.

CONCLUSIONThe plastic change of NOS positive neurons of PAG in SIH rats may be involved in the development of SIH, which may be mediated by Ach in RVLM.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Hypertension ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVETo investigate the balance function of the patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) by timed balance tests and static posturography (SPG).

METHODSSixty-five subjects with UVH and 92 healthy subjects were taken the timed balance tests under differential stance including (1) standard Romberg test, (2) feet apart stance test, (3) tandem and (4) unilateral standing tests with eyes open and eyes closed. The average timing that subjects kept balance before falling in each standing conditions was recorded by stopwatch as the timed result. The body sway velocity during the test (1) and (2) were also recorded by the SPG.

RESULTSThe timed results of the tandem and unilateral standing with eyes open and eyes closed in the UVH group were decreased (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The body sway velocity of the standard Romberg test and foot apart stance with eyes open was not different between the UVH group and control group (P-value was 0.118 and 0.110 for the two tests respectively), and the difference was significant in the eyes closed condition (P < 0.001). For the two groups, the body sway velocity of foot apart standing was decreased than that of the standard Romberg test with eyes open and eyes closed (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Significant correlations were not found between the timed results and sway velocity results in both two groups respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAccording to clinical assessment of balance function in UVH, the tandem and unilateral stance test could provide the additional information about the upright stance to the SPG measurement. The effect of foot position on the results of SPG should been considered in clinic.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Examination ; Postural Balance ; Vestibular Diseases ; physiopathology

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Caragana intermedia.

METHODSThe compounds were separated by chromatography methods, their structures were identified by spectral analysis.

RESULTSTen compounds were isolated and identified as 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone (1), 3,5,7,8,4'-pentahydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone(2), puercetin(3), limocitrin(4), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone(5), 7,3',5'-trihydroxyflavanone(6), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone(7), butein(8), liquiritigenin(9) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone(10).

CONCLUSIONCompound 6 is a new compound and the others were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Caragana ; chemistry ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chalcones ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

ObjectiveTo probe the indication,treatment algorithm,anesthesia method,safety and efficacy ofextracorporealshockwavelithotripsy(ESWL)incombinationwithendoscopicretrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for pancreatic duct stones.MethodsThe patients with chronic pancreatitis and large pancreatic duct stones ( ＞ 5 mm diameter) and receiving ESWL and ERCP between March and July 2011 in Changhai Hospital were prospective studied.The third generation of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was applied in ESWL,and the localization of stone was determined by X-ray.No more than 5000 shocks were given per session,and ESWL was performed continuously till the calculi were fragmented,and then was cleared by ERCP.ResultsA total of 100 patients underwent ESWL during the 5 months,among whom 84 patients received ERCP treatment and 41 cases failed to deep cannulation (41/84,48.8％ ).Multiple stones were seen in 83 patients.Ninety five patients had radio-opaque stones,two patients had radiolucent calculi,while three patients had both radio-opaque and radiolucent stones.Seventy five percent,14％ and 11％ stones were located in pancreatic head,pancreatic head and body,pancreatic body and tail,respectively.A total of 175 ESWL procedures were performed,43 patients needed 2 or more sessions for successful fragmentation.Anesthesia method was mainly intravenous sedation,accounting for 96％ (168/175).ERCP was successful in 96 patients after ESWL,only 4 patients failed after ESWL. Forty one cases which failed ERCP procedures before ESWL underwent ERCP,and 37 patients (90.2％) achieved successful cannulation.Successful fragmentation ratewas 100％.Complete clearance was achieved in 78 patients,and complication rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis,fever was 1.71％ (n =3 ),0.57％ (n =1 ),and the overall complication rate was 2.28％.Conclusions ESWL is an effective,safe and necessary modality for fragmentation of large PD stones in the management of minimal invasive treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

The preparation process and immunogenicity of a novel hepatitis B vaccine containing preS1, preS2 and S epitopes were investigated in this study. A Pichia pastoris stain GS115-SS1S2 harbouring two chimeric HBsAg gene constructs, SS1 and SS2 was cultivated by high-density fermentation. 300-600 mg/L of the expression level was achieved through 48-72 h methanol induction. SSIS2 antigen was extracted and purified by silica adsorption, HIC and SEC to 99% purity from the harvested cells. 82 mg purified antigen could be achieved from one liter of fermentation culture. The immunogenicity of the purified antigen was evaluated in NIH mice. Three groups of female NIH mice, 14-16 g in weight, were injected once intraperitoneally with 2.5, 0.625, 0.156 microg of each of the two vaccines: SS1S2 or a commercially available S vaccine. Part of the mice were bled in 30 days after injection to compare the ED50 of the two vaccines. For the SSIS2 vaccine, the ED50 is 0.46, 0.29 and 0.84 microg respectively for the preS1, preS2 and S antigens. For the S vaccine, the ED50 is 0.99 microg for the S antigen. Another part of the mice were bleed in 7 or 14 days to detect preS1, preS2 and S antibodies. Higher ratios of mice were seroconverted for preS1 and preS2 antibodies as compared to the S antibody in these two time points. These results suggest that the SS1S2 vaccine may be more immunogenic than the conventional S vaccines.
Animals ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Mice ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Engineering ; Protein Precursors ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology

At present time, the widely used hepatitis B virus( HBV) vaccines consist of only the small hepatitis B surface antigen expressed in yeast or CHO cells. The frequency of non-responders to these vaccines has increased the demand for a more immunogenic vaccine. Some studies have suggested that the addition of preS region to the vaccine will improve its efficacy. However, the large protein (L) containing the whole preS region can not be effectively expressed in vitro. To overcome this problem, two chimeric contructs, SS1, surface gene containing preS1 region at C-terminus and SS2, surface gene containing preS2 region at C-terminus, were constructed and effectively expressed in our previous studies. Here we further constructed an expression vector containing both SS1 and SS2 expression cassettes by separation and ligation the SS2 cassette to a linearized SS1 expression vector pAO815-SS1. The recombinant vector was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. A high-level expression strain (GS115-SS1S2) was established by primary screening for His+ transformants and further analysis for induction products. ELISA results demonstrated that the expressed protein had S, preS1 and preS2 antigenicities simultaneously. Western blotting showed that the product can bind to all of the three antibodies, anti-S, anti-preS1 and anti-preS2. The expression protein was present in the form of particles of 20-35 nm diameter and the yield of recombinant particles reached 300-600 mg/L by fermentation. The SS1 and SS2 polypeptides kept intact in purified particles, suggesting that the stability of preS region has been significantly improved.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Epitopes ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; immunology ; Pichia ; genetics ; Protein Precursors ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology