Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinens) in culture farms using an artificial warming system in Zhejiang, China,often show typical signs of white-spot disease such as white spots on their bodies, skin lesions, anorexia and eventually death. The sick turtles were mostly 5～80 g in weight. A suspected fungai pathogen was isolated from the sick turtles and verified as Pae-cilomyces lilacinus by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of its ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Detailed mor-phological examinations were also conducted to confirm the white-spot disease.

Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinens) in culture farms using an artificial warming system in Zhejiang, China, often show typical signs of white-spot disease such as white spots on their bodies, skin lesions, anorexia and eventually death. The sick turtles were mostly 5~80 g in weight. A suspected fungal pathogen was isolated from the sick turtles and verified as Paecilomyces lilacinus by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of its ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Detailed morphological examinations were also conducted to confirm the white-spot disease.
Animals ; Paecilomyces ; isolation & purification ; Turtles ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of methylene blue on the growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans, and the effect of methylene blue on acid production metabolism in plaque glycolysis model (i-PGM) in vitro, and investigate the practicability of methylene blue as a new kind of dental caries prevention agent.

METHODSNephelometer method was used to measure OD value of Streptococcus mutans culture fluid in the different incubation conditions. The kinds and quantities of acid produced by Streptococcus mutans in the different incubation conditions were measured with gas chromatography. pH values of glycolysis buffer media of i-PGM in the different treatment conditions were measured by ORION electrode.

RESULTS(1) The OD value of Streptococcus mutans treated by methylene blue was lower than that by normal saline, and there was significant statistical difference between them. (2) The kinds of acid in three different culture fluid were same, but the total quantities of acid were significantly different among three different culture fluid, in which the total quantities of acid of culture fluids treated by glucose was the greatest, and treated by methylene blue was the lest. (3) The pH value of i-PGM treated by methylene blue was significantly different compared with negative control group, but was not significantly different compared with positive control group.

CONCLUSIONMethylene blue can inhibit the growth and acid production metabolism of Streptococcus matans and acid production metabolism of i-PGM.

Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Glycolysis ; Methylene Blue ; Streptococcus mutans

The c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase is activated in the cellular responses to genotoxic, oxidative and other forms of stress. Using tagged forms of c-Abl, the present studies demonstrate that c-Abl forms homodimers in cells. The results show that the c-Abl N-terminal regions interact with the corresponding C-terminal regions of both partners in the dimmer. Specifically, the c-Abl SH3 domain binds to a proline-rich motif at amino acids 958-982 in the c-Abl C-terminal region. Deletion of the proline-rich motif disrupts dimmer formation. These findings provide the first evidence that c-Abl forms homodimers and indicate that homodimerization can contribute to the regulation of c-Abl activity.
Humans ; Protein Multimerization ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl ; genetics ; metabolism ; src Homology Domains

Objective To explore the role of apoptosis of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells and changes of relative cytokines and thrombotic factors in the pathogenesis of traumatic sepsis at the advanced stage.Methods The venous blood was collected from the patients with traumatic sepsis at advanced stage and traumatic patients without sepsis and healthy subjects.The peripheral hlood mononu- clear cells(PBMC)and neutrophils were isolated and cultured.The apoptosis of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells was assayed,and the level of IL-4,IL-10 in PBMC culture supernatants were deter- mined,and the tissue factor(TF)and vW factor(vWF)of peripheral plasma were measured.Results The percentages of apoptosis of neutrophils and numbers of apoptotic circulating vascular endothelial cells were higher than that of traumatic patients without sepsis and healthy controls significantly.And the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4,IL-10 and thrombotic factors TF,vWF in traumatic sepsis were elevated than that of traumatic patients without sepsis and controls too.Conclusion Immune suppres- sion and abnormal thrombotic state may be one characteristic of traumatic sepsis at advanced stage,which perhaps involveds in the pathogenesis of traumatic sepsis at the advanced stage and multiple organ dys- function syndrome.

BACKGROUNDImproving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.

RESULTSIn group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket (51.6%). Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.

CONCLUSIONSUreteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors influencing the seed germination of Bupleurum chinense and B. falcatum.

METHODThe seeds of different maturity, and the seeds whose coat were removed or nicked before dipping in water, were germinated in a light growth chamber.

RESULTThe different inflorescence level represents different development period. Seeds harvested from cultivation have different maturity. The germination rate of the seeds in period I to III was nearly zero, and it was significant different from period IV to VII. The seed coat is not an obstacle for water absorption or gas exchange, but its removal led to significant increase of seed germination rate. However, to dip the seeds without coat into water for 48 h had no more effect on germination.

CONCLUSIONThe seed maturity and germination inhibitors in seed coat are two important factor influencing seed germination in B. chinense and B. falcatum.

Bupleurum ; growth & development ; Germination ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo provide the basal data for the breeding and cultivation of Platycodon grandiflorum.

METHODThe field investigation and pollination by bagging were carried out. TTC(2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) solution was used to test the pollen vigor.

RESULTThe stigma life-span of P. grandiflorum was about 9 days, however the optimal time for pollination is 4-6 days after the petals opening, with the stigma was splitting lightly or significantly. When the petals opened, the anther began scattering pollen, and finished in the same day. The pollen vigor was about 81.4% at the beginning, and decreases to 27.6% three days later. The pollen vigor still remains 64.4% three days later, when the flower was kept in the desiccant. The natural fructification rate of self-flower-pollination was 4.8%. The fructification rate and compatible index was about 62.7% and 54.6, respectively, when the self-plant-pollination performed by hand. They decreased to 12.8% and 6.5 when the pollination was implemented during the flowering period.

CONCLUSIONLow fructification percentage of self-flower-pollination attributes to the difference of maturing period of pistil and stamen, as well as the short pollen life-span of P. grandiflorum. The compatibility of self-plant-pollination is high during flowering period when pollination performed by hand. The life-span of the pollen can be prolonged significantly when keeping in the dry environment.

Flowers ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; physiology ; Platycodon ; growth & development ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Reproduction ; physiology

Objective To study the alterations of renal function in patients with acute ischemic stroke and diabetes and to analyze the risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after digital subtraction angiography (DSA).Methods Eight hundred and seventy-one cerebral infarction patients with diabetes who underwent DSA were selected in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from August 2012 to August 2016.The patients were divided into diabetic group (n =178) and non-diabetic group (n =693).The alterations of renal function and the incidence rate of CIN were observed between two groups 3 days after DSA.Univariate analysis and multi-factor Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors of CIN.Results The levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR,ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2) in diabetic group at 1,2 and 3 days after DSA(81.94 ±9.38,75.36 ±8.21,84.43 ±9.72) were lower than that in non-diabetic group (84.62 ± 10.06,79.08 ±9.84,87.62 ± 10.15,t =3.213,4.645,3.772,all P ＜ 0.05).The levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and cystatin (CysC) in diabetic group at 1,2 and 3 days after DSA (Scr:85.63 ±9.83,92.37 ±10.07,83.43 ±9.07;CysC:1.08 ±0.12,1.35 ±0.14,0.95 ±0.10) were higher than that in non-diabetic group (Scr:81.36 ± 8.98,87.84 ± 9.85,80.31 ± 8.64,t =5.548,5.448,4.253;CysC:0.97 ±0.11,1.21 ±0.12,0.88 ±0.09;t =11.677,13.400,9.043;all P ＜ 0.05).The incidence rate of CIN in diabetic group (25.84％ (46/178)) was higher than that in nondiabetic group (7.07％ (49/693),x2 =51.358,P =0.001).Multi-factor Logistic regression analysis showed allergies,plasma brain natriuretic peptide,heart failure,the original renal insufficiency,NIHSS score,contrast agent dosage,preoperative eGFR,preoperative Scr and preoperative CysC were the independent risk factors of CIN in cerebral infarction patients with diabetes.Conclusions The renal function decreased significantly and the incidence rate of CIN was high in cerebral infarction patients with diabetes after DSA.Allergies,plasma brain natriuretic peptide,heart failure,the original renal insufficiency,contrast agent dosage,preoperative eGFR,preoperative Scr and preoperative CysC were the independent risk factors of CIN in cerebral infarction patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the expression level of sRNA SpR19 and its potential target protein GroEL in clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans with different cariogenicity exposed to different pH conditions and explore the possibility of using these molecules as biomarkers for assessing the cariogenicity of the bacteria.

METHODSThe total RNAs were extracted from the clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans with high (strain 17) and low cariogenicity (strain 5) for high-throughput sequencing for profiling of the differentially expressed sRNAs. The candidate sRNA, SpR19, was selected for further study on the basis of bioinformatics analysis considering the role of its potential target in the cariogenic process. The differential expression levels of SpR19 in the strains exposed to both pH5.5 and pH7 culture conditions were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of the potential target of SpR19, GroEL, was also investigated at both the protein and mRNA level using Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSBioinformatic analysis suggested multiple potential target sites of SpR19 both in GroEL mRNA and in the upstream and downstream inter-genic regions. Under different pH conditions, the highly cariogenic strain 17 expressed consistently low levels of SpR19 as compared with the strain 5 with a low cariogenicity; GroEL showed a reverse expression pattern in the 2 strains. An inverse correlation was found between the expressions of SpR19 and GroEL.

CONCLUSIONThe highly cariogenic strain 17 expressed low levels of SpR19 and high levels of GroEL in both acidic and neutral culture conditions. SpR19 may negatively regulate the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutants by targeting at GroEL.