A high active soybean isoflavone glucoside hydrolase-producing mould strain was isolated from spirit qu. Its optimal hydrolase-producing conditions were as follows: 2.5% wheat bran as carbon source, 1% NaNO3 as nitrogen source, initial pH7. 0, culture medium volume 40mL/250mL, inoculating quantity 8% , culture temperature 30℃, revolutions 160r/min and culture time 84h. The enzyme activity reached 82 U/mL. Cu2+ can inhibit Absidia sp. R strain from producing the hydrolase, the influence of other metal ions was not remarkable on it.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of early high fat diet on sugar metaboliam, insulin sensibility and pancreatic β cellularity in young rats.

METHODSSixty male weaned young rats were randomly fed with high fat diet (high fat group) and normal diet (control group). The body weight, viscus fattiness and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured after 3, 6 and 9 weeks. Serum insulin level was measured with radioimmunoassay. The ultrastructure of pancreas was observed under an electricmicroscope.

RESULTSThe high fat group had significantly higher body weight and visceral fat weight than the control group after 3 weeks. There were no significant differences in the FPG level between the two groups at all time points. The levels of fasting insulin and HOMAIR in the high fat group were significantly higher than those in the control group after 3, 6 and 9 weeks (P<0.01). Dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mild swelling of mitochondria of islet β-cells were observed in the high fat group after 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSEarly high fat diet may induce a reduction in insulin sensitivity and produce insulin resistance in young rats. Endoplasmic reticulum expansion in β-cells may be an early sign of β-cell damage due to obesity.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Dietary Fats ; adverse effects ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Two plasmid constructs, pcE2 and pcE3, containing 3' fragment of open reading frame 2 (ORF2,1163 bp) of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and full-length ORF3 (369 bp), were injected into bilateral tibialis of Swiss mice respectively，for three times (0, 2nd and 4th weeks) and observed the HEV IgG by ELISA. HEV IgG was induced after the injection of pcE2 or pcE3 or both, and the percentage of seraconversion was 100% after two weeks of the third injection. Compared with injection of either construct, the antibody titers were higher in the group with combined injection of two constructs.

Objective To evaluate the changes of nerve conduction velocity in degenerative rabbit sciatic nerve authograft induced by 60Co irradiation after orthotopic replantation. Methods A 30-mm-long segment was severed from normal adult rabbit sciatic nerve and exposed to 60Co irradiation at the dose of 350 Cry to induce neural degeneration. The nerve segment was then replanted orthotopicaily, and the nerve conduction velocity was determined using electrophysiological test at 4, 6 and 8 months after the replantation. Results At 6, 8 months after the replantation, the nerve conduction velocity in the degenerative nerve autograft showed no significant difference from that in normal sciatic nerve (P>0.05). But at 4 months after the replantation, the nerve conduction velocity in the autograft was significantly lower than the normal velocity (P<0.05). Conclusion The nerve conduction velocity can be obtained by replantation of a long (3 mm) degenerative nerve segment due to 60Co irradiation.

Objective To detect the effect and role of profound hypothermia on cytochrome C release and cell apoptosis in the hippocampus after global ischemia in rats. Methods We established the animal model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 24 rats which were randomized into 3 even groups:blank control group,normothermia ischemia group and hypothermia ischemia group.After the hippocampus samples were harvested from the 3 groups,Western blot was used to detect the expression of cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and TUNEL was used to measure the cell apoptosis. Results The expression of Cyt-C in the normothermia ischemia group increased significantly compared with the blank control group but decreased significantly compared with the hypothermia ischemia group (P＜0.05).The rate of cell apoptosis in the normothermia ischemia group increased significantly compared with the blank control group but decreased significantly compared with the hypothermia ischemia group (P＜0.05).Conclusions Profound hypothermia can inhibit cytochrome C release into the cytoplasm and thus reduce cell apoptosis in the hippocampus after global ischemia in rats. This may be one important mechanism underlying the protective effect of profound hypothermia.

This study was aimed to analyze the BP1 binding site sequence upstream of β-globin gene in Chinese Han population, and to investigate polymorphism in the BP1 binding site upstream of β-globin gene, so as to provide the basis for exploration of relation between polymorphisms in the BP1 binding site and β-globin expression. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of 110 healthy individuals in Chinese Han population. Sequence of the BP1 binding site upstream of β-globin gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, the polymorphic variation in the BP1 binding site was determined by DNA sequencing. The results indicated that 2 polymorphism loci were found in the BP1 binding site upstream of β-globin gene, they were C/T at the -551 bp region and (AC)(n)(AT)(x)T(y) at the -530 bp region in Chinese Han population. Frequencies of C and T were 60.4% and 39.6% at position -551. Analysis of the (AC)(n)(AT)(x)T(y) polymorphism revealed 9 different genotypes: (AC)(2)(AT)(9)T(5), (AC)(2)(AT)(8)T(5), (AC)(2)(AT)(7)T(7), (AC)(3)(AT)(7)T(5), (AC)(2)(AT)(8)T(9), (AC)(3)(AT)(8)T(5), (AC)(2)(AT)(10)T(3), (AC)(2)(AT)(11)T(3), and (AC)(2)(AT)(7)T(5) at position -530. Frequencies of 9 (AC)(n)(AT)(x)T(y) polymorphisms were 33.2%, 29.1%, 24.1%, 5.4%, 3.2%, 1.8%, 1.4%, 0.9%, and 0.9% respectively. It is concluded that rich (AC)(n)(AT)(x)T(y) polymorphisms at the -530 bp region in the BP1 binding site upstream of β-globin gene are found in Chinese Han population. (AC)(2)(AT)(9)T(5), (AC)(2)(AT)(8)T(5), and (AC)(2)(AT)(7)T(7) are 3 major polymorphisms among Chinese Han population, and (AC)(3)(AT)(8)T(5) is a novel polymorphism at the -530 bp region. More studies should be done to explore relation between (AC)(n)(AT)(x)T(y) polymorphisms and β-globin expression.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Binding Sites ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; beta-Globins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-HEV IgG response to vaccination of recombinant antigen fragments and evaluate its protection from Hepatitis E Virus infection in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

METHODSTwelve monkeys were divided into three groups and immunized respectively with three different recombinant antigens: namely Ag1 (carboxyl terminal 431 amino acids of ORF2), Ag2 (128aa fragment at the carboxyl terminal of ORF2), and Ag3 (full length ORF3 ligated with two ORF2 fragments encoded by 6743-7126nt and 6287-6404nt). The monkeys were challenged intravenously with fecal suspension from experimentally infected rhesus monkeys, and the other three monkeys served as the placebo group for challenge with HEV. The dynamic changes of the levels of ALT and anti-HEV IgG were examined. Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by light microscope. Excretion of virus was detected by RT-nPCR.

RESULTSHepatic histopathology of two monkeys in the placebo group was consistent with acute viral hepatitis, and ALT was elevated 3-4 weeks after inoculated with virus, up to 10-20 times higher than normal level. The liver tissue of monkeys immunized with antigen kept normal, ALT in several monkeys elevated mildly, and anti-HEV IgG conversation occurred at 1-2 weeks after vaccination, with the titer reaching 1:12,800. The virus RNA could be detected by RT-nPCR from days 7 to 50 in monkeys of control group, and from days 7 to 21 in vaccinated monkeys after challenged with virus.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant antigens could induce the production of anti-HEV IgG, which protected rhesus monkeys from acute Hepatitis symptoms related to HEV infection.

Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Hepatitis E ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Macaca mulatta ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the natural process of adenoid growth and degeneration as the age grows, to investigate the related clinical significance and pathologic characteristics of hypertrophied adenoid.

METHODSTotally 2650 (age 2 to 87) cases with nasal obstruction or/and other symptoms were included in the patients group, and 810 (age 3 to 85) subjects without symptoms were included as the control group. Morphological characteristics examined with nasal endoscope. Biopsy was performed for 39 cases. The adenoid was calcified as 4 degrees according to the size.

RESULTSIn the patient group, age 2 to 9, degree III and degree II adenoid were 81.1% (198/244) and 18.9% (46/244) respectively. And adenoid of children whose age 2 to 5 was 100.0% in degree III; In above 10 years old group, the adenoid was mostly degree II. In age 60 to 69 group, degree 0 was (66.5%), and in age 81 or above, degree 0 reaches 100%. And 19 years old was the youngest age at which adenoid of degree 0 started to be found and 21 was the oldest age at which there is no adenoid of degree III. In the control group, compared with the patient group, no statistical significant difference found in all other groups except in age 2 to 9 (degree III 57.9%, 22/38, degree II 42.1%, 16/38). Shapes of adenoids at degree II varied while degree I were almost like peeled orange. Pathologically, among children there are abundant of adenoidal lymph tissue, while in adults the lymph tissue getting less as age grows but with evident inflammation reaction. Among patients, the incidence of sinusitis and snoring was higher in degree III group compared with others, 47.4% and 18.7% respectively, and the differences is statistically significant (chi2 = 51.28, P < 0.01; chi2 = 40.26, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAdenoid volume of children (age < 10) is the biggest, especially of children under 5 years old.

Adenoids ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Obstruction ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the possibility of microneurosurgery techniques in the treatment of multisegmental intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas.

METHODSThe clinical data of 26 cases of multisegmental intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas patients was reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 14 cases of cervical spinal cord ependymomas, 12 cases of cervical and thoracic spinal cord ependymomas. 4.5 spinal cord segments were involved in average. Incompletely inferior paraplegia was in 18 cases, incompletely high paraplegia in 8 cases, dyspnea in 6 cases, sphincter dysfunction in 10 cases. MRI detected syringomyelia formation in 24 cases. Vertebral lamina reposition were done in 20 cases. Muscle strength recovered in 21 cases, no change in 4 cases, aggravated in 1 case. All cases had total resection and 1 cases vertebral had instability in MRI.

CONCLUSIONSTotal resection of intramedullary cervical spinal cord ependymomas can be achieved by microneurosurgery. Most of the symptoms can be released after microsurgical treatment. After multisegmental laminotomy, the vertebral plate reposition should be done to ensure the stability.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Ependymoma ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the validity of intraoperative magnetic MEP (motor evoked potentials) monitoring in a spinal-cord-menaced surgery.

METHODS32 rabbits were employed in weight-drop spinal cord contusion model. After anesthetized with a combination of Ketamine and Droperidol the spinal cords were surgically exposed with the dura intact, and the contusion injuries were delivered except the rabbits in control group. The MEPs were recorded and the relationship between the variation of the MEPs and the residual locomotor capacity after spinal cord injury was analyzed.

RESULTSThe 6 rabbits in mild-spinal-cord-injury group experienced transient attenuation of their TMS-MEPs, and the locomotor capacity remained intact (scores of 5) in almost all rabbits (5 of 6) when assessed 24 hours later; In the moderate-spinal-cord-injury group the 8 rabbits lost their TMS-MEP immediately after the weight-drop contusion, but they regained them partly in 1 hour one after another and scored 4 or 5 in the assessment of muscle power next day except for one score of 2; 8 rabbits had their spinal cords impaired severely in the contusion procedure and lost their TMS-MEP too but without recovery, their locomotor capacity outcomes were very poor, 5 of them had no response to transcranial magnetic stimulation next day, and in the other 3 rabbits we only found some polyphase waves with variant latency and lower amplitude which did not resemble common compound muscle action potential (CMAPs) evoked by TMS.

CONCLUSIONSMyogenic TMS-MEPs was very sensitive to the spinal cord injury and should be a valid technique for intraoperative monitoring, and a slight change of them, even if a transient lose, should be unnecessarily related to a severe movement disorder. The warning threshold for a given patient should depend on the malady itself.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Female ; Male ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Prognosis ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation