Objective To observe the protective effects of a mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach (保肝益胃合剂) on rat acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4). Methods The model of rat acute liver damage was established by injection of CCl_4 2 ml/kg into the abdominal cavity.The rat models were treated respectively by the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach 30 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),the polyene phosphatide acid radical choline capsule [Yi Shanfu (易善复), 180 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)],the glycyrrhizic acid diaminogen capsule [Gan Lixin (甘利欣),30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)] infused into the stomach.The activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected.In the mean time,the liver pathological changes were observed,the degree of liver cell necrosis was evaluated,and the rat mortality was noted in various groups of treatment.Results The values of ALT,AST and the score of liver cell necrosis in the group treated with the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach [(1.168?1.066) kU/L,(1.845?2.212) kU/L,(0.56?0.53) score] were significantly lower than those in the model group [(4.982?3.502) kU/L,(7.030?3.616) kU/L, (1.38?0.92) scores],and all the differences being statistically significant (all P

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic human pathogen. It encodes many virulence factors and one of them is type III secretion system (TTSS). Effectors proteins can be delivered into host cells directly by this system, causing necrosis or apoptosis. popN gene is the first gene in the popN operon of TTSS gene cluster. To investigate its function, popN gene deletion mutant was generated in this study, and we found this mutant can secrete effectors proteins constitutively under non-inducting condition in DMEM medium containing serum. The results indicated that PopN is a negative regulator of the TTSS expression. However, no secreted effector proteins were detectable when the popN- mutant was grown in LB medium under non-inducting condition. To investigate the possible reasons, effects of growth status and protease (s) inhibitors on the TTSS were investigated. We present evidences that indicate protease mediated degradation of secreted effector proteins played a key role in the phenotypic inconsistency of popN- mutant.
ADP Ribose Transferases ; metabolism ; secretion ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion ; Bacterial Toxins ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Mutation ; Peptide Hydrolases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins ; genetics ; secretion ; Protease Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity

BACKGROUNDLaparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been considered to be safe and feasible. However, few studies focused on the comparison between the anatomic and nonanatomic LLR. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative factors and outcomes of the anatomic and nonanatomic LLR, especially the area of liver parenchymal transection and blood loss per unit area.

METHODSIn this study, surgical and oncological data of patients underwent pure LLR procedures for malignant liver tumor were prospectively collected. Blood loss per unit area of liver parenchymal transection was measured and considered as an important parameter. All procedures were conducted by a single surgeon.

RESULTSDuring nearly 5 years, 84 patients with malignant liver tumor received a pure LLR procedure were included. Among them, 34 patients received anatomic LLR and 50 received nonanatomic LLR, respectively. Patients of the two groups were similar in terms of demographic features and tumor characteristics, despite the tumor size was significantly larger in the anatomic LLR group than that in the nonanatomic LLR group (4.77 ± 2.57 vs. 2.87 ± 2.10 cm, P = 0.001). Patients who underwent anatomic resection had longer operation time (364.09 ± 131.22 vs. 252.00 ± 135.21 min, P < 0.001) but less blood loss per unit area (7.85 ± 7.17 vs. 14.17 ± 10.43 ml/cm 2 , P = 0.018). Nonanatomic LLR was associated with more blood loss when the area of parenchymal transection was equal to the anatomic LLR. No mortality occurred during the hospital stay and 30 days after the operation. Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. The disease-free and overall survival rates showed no significant differences between the anatomic LLR and nonanatomic LLR groups.

CONCLUSIONSBoth anatomic and nonanatomic pure LLR are safe and feasible. Measuring the area of parenchymal transection is a simple and effective method to estimate the outcomes of the liver resection surgery. Blood loss per unit area is an important parameter which is comparable between the anatomic LLR and nonanatomic LLR groups.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Liver ; pathology ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the genome sequence of hepatitis A virus L-A-1 strain which has been applied for live attenuated vaccine production in China, to compare with other HAV strains, to understand some characteristics of L-A-1 strain, and to find the mechanism of attenuation and cell adaptation.

METHODSGenome fragments were prepared by antigen-capture PCR from infected cell (2BS), PCR products were cloned into T vector, sequenced and analyzed by using bioinformatics program.

RESULTSAnalysis of the genomic sequences(nt 25-7,418) showed that the open reading frame contains 6,675 nucleotides in length encoding 2,225 amino acids. Sequence homology comparison showed 98.00% and 94.00% homology at nucleotide level, and 98.51% and 98.65% homology at amino acid level with international strains MBB and HM 175, respectively. Through comparison with other attenuated, cell adapted and cytopathic effect (CPE) strains, L-A-1 strain had mutation at nt 152, 591, 646, 687 and insertion at nt 180-181 in 5?NTR and had mutation at nt 3,889 (aa 1 052-Val) in 2B region, these mutations and insertion are molecular basis for cell adaptation; mutation at nt 4,185 (aa 1 152-Lys) in 2C region should be attenuated marker; deletion in 3A region (nt 5,020-5,025) that caused two amino acids deletion is virus fast growth basis.

CONCLUSIONThrough analyzing L-A-1 strain genomic sequence, certain sites related to cell adaptation and attenuation were found.

Adaptation, Biological ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Gene Deletion ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; genetics ; Hepatitis A virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mutation ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Sequence Homology ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; genetics

Objective To analyze the effects of health risk factors on presenteeism in enterprise employees.Methods A hospital in Jinan of Shandong province and a publishing enterprise in Beijing were selected as target settings of this cross-sectional study. Questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on demographic data,health condition and presenteeism,and multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of health risk factors on labor-related presenteeism.Results Insufficient physical activity was found in 42％ percent of the participants,and those with heavy-loaded pressure,overweight or obesity,high blood pressure and unhealthy diet habit accounted for 46％,41％,40％ and 34％,respectively. Proportions of employees with presenteeism varied with age ( x2 =10.1665,P =0.0377),occupation ( x2 =35.3579,P ＜ 0.05 ) and education level ( x2 =50.5377,P ＜ 0.05 ).Female employees ( P =0.0323,OR =1.728,95％ CI 1.047 to 2.850),graduates ( P ＜ 0.05,OR =6.159,95％ CI 2.510 to 15.109),overweight or obesity individuals ( P =0.0076,OR =1.673,95％ CI 1.147 to 2.44) and adults with poor self-perception of health ( P =0.0049,OR =2.284,95％ CI 1.285 to 4.060)seemed to be more likely to be presenteeism.Conclusions Overweight or obesity and poor self-perception of health may be associated with labor-related presenteeism.

Based on the computer simulation, we analyzed hydrophobicity, potential epitope of recombined subtypes HIV-1 Env protein (851 amino acids) from Guangxi in China. Compared with conservative peptides of other subtypes in env protein, three sequences (469-511aa, 538-674aa, 700-734aa) were selected to recombine into a chimeric gene that codes three conservative epitope peptides with stronger antigencity, and was constructed in the yeast expression plasmid pPICZB. Chimeric proteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris under the induction of methanol, and were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Westernblot. The results showed that fusion proteins of three-segment antigen were expressed in Pichia pastoris and that specific protein band at the site of 40kD was target protein, which is interacted with HIV-1 serum. The target proteins were purified by metal Ni-sepharose 4B, and were demonstrated to possess good antigenic specificity from the data of ELISA. This chimeric antigen may be used as research and developed into HIV diagnostic reagents.
Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; HIV Seronegativity ; immunology ; HIV Seropositivity ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of the 308 nm excimer laser for the treatment of vitiligo.

METHODSWe treated 170 patients with stable vitiligo by using the 308 nm excimer laser. The lesions of vitiligo were treated one to two times per week for 10-30 times. Efficacies were evaluated every 7 days and 3 days after the treatments were completed. Patients were followed up for two months.

RESULTSThe rates of "remarkably improved" and "cured" were 67.97% and 32.03% in faces, 54.55% and 27.27% in necks, 63.26% and 26.53% in trunks, 38.84% and 15.70% in limbs, and 0 and 0 in hands and feet. The areas of faces had a better response than those of necks, trunks, or limbs (P < 0.01), and the areas of trunks or limbs had better response than that of hands and feet (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe 308 nm excimer laser is safe and effective in treating stable vitiligo and the efficacy varies in different lesion sites.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer ; therapeutic use ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitiligo ; radiotherapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo set up the drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST), as a diagnosis means for DILI which was immunity idiosyncrasy, improve the Diagnosis, level of DILI.

METHODFor the 59 patients who diagnosed as DILI, we separated their PBMC, exploring to the suspicious drug which caused DILI, then use the methods 3H-TdR to test, according to the mixed degree to clear the PBMC count which specific activated by drug.We also set up drug group, negative control and Positive control at the same time. Preliminary experiments was including the best dose of PHA and the best concentration of the drug. We set up 40 healthy group in our experiments as a control, and explore them on the same drug every time. We test the two groups at the same time. We handled the results use t-test.

RESULTSThe methods 3H-TdR could be exactly reflect the PBMC's proliferation degree nearly the same when they were be stimulation by PHA or the sensitive drug. When the DILI patients were explore to the suspicious drug, their stimulation index (SI) Obviously higher than 1.8. Form this test, there were 28 in 59 patients of DILI's group were positive (47.46%), SI was from 1.9 to 43.08, the average was 22.49, the healthy group SI was lower than 1.8, the SI of DILI's group was significantly higher than healthy group (5.78+/-0.75/1.16+/-0.25, P less than 0.05). Our test suggested DLST has Higher specificity (94.92%) and sensitivity (47.46%).

CONCLUSIONDLST was significance for the patients who diagnosed as immunity idiosyncrasy's DILI, it's reflected these patients' Proliferation of PBMC when explored to the suspicious drug for the second time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Cedemex on cAMP and cGMP contents in different brain regions in morphine withdrawal rats precipitated by naloxone.

METHODA physical morphine dependent model of rats was established by subcutaneous injection of morphine in gradually increasing dosage within 7 days. cAMP and cGMP contents of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the rat brains were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTThe morphine withdrawal symptoms of rats were relieved significantly by ig Cedemex. Compared with the controls, cAMP content in the region of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the morphine dependent rats were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while cGMP contents in those regions were significantly lower (P < 0.05). cAMP contents in the area of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the morphine dependent rats were significantly reduced, while cGMP contents were significantly increased by ig Cedemex.

CONCLUSIONCedemex may significantly attenuate the morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. The mechanism of this effect may be related to adjusting the contents of cAMP and cGMP in some brain regions.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Morphine ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of 585 nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye lasers (PDL) in the treatment of port-wine stains (PWS).

METHODSA retrospective review was performed in 2 317 patients with PWS who visited the Dermatology Laser Centre of PUMC Hospital and accepted treatment with 585 nm PDL. The correlation between the treatment efficacy and the treatment sessions, lesion types, and usage of other therapies were analyzed. The adverse effects were also observed.

RESULTSAll the 2 317 patients with PWS received 1-13 consecutive treatments with PDL at 2-3-month intervals. The median number of treatment was 4.93 and the median energy density was 8.29 J/cm2. The response rate after 8 treatments sessions were 84%. The response rate in patients whose lesions are characterized as purple plaques with proliferation and treated with isotope, CO2, cryotherapy, and other treatments was significantly lower than the total response rate (P < 0.05). Superficial scar, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation were found in 5.2%, 2.5%, and 4.0% of these patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION585 nm PDL is effective and safe in treating PWS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Port-Wine Stain ; radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome