Guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1) is an interferon induced protein, that belongs to the guany late-binding protein family. GBP1 is widely involved in anti-infection immune responses, anti-tumor activity and various biological reactions. Recent studies have proved that IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, IL1alpha, IL1beta, TNF-alpha and LPS can induce GBP1 expression; hence, the diverse biological functions of GBP1 have been gradually deduced and exploited. Many studies have been performed over recent years to understand the exact mechanisms that underlie the anti-infection and anti-tumor properties of GBP1. This review describes the molecular structure, biological activity, anti-infective properties and other functions of GBP1, in order to provide insights into the divergent roles of GBP1 in the regulation of various biological processes.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; metabolism ; Antiviral Agents ; metabolism ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferons ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To assess the quantitative relationship between the distribution of Himalayan marmot and its ecological environment,the terrain,the temperature and the precipitation,using remote sensing and geographic information system in Qinghai province.Methods The distribution of Himalayan marmot was located by Google Earth and ArcGIS software and by using field survey data provided by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.The corresponding ecological environment of marmot including terrain,temperature and precipitation were derived from the spatial information datasets.All results were processed according to the overlay and statistics analysis using ArcGIS software.Results Seventy-seven point twenty-seven percent(153/198) of Himalayan marmot were distributed in the area of elevation between 3000 and 4000 meters.The number of marmot reached the highest when the slope was between 0 and 17 degrees,and aspect range was between 91 and 270 degrees,180 degree was as south direction.During the period with the maximum temperature of the warmest month of 14.3-17.5 ℃,17.6-20.8 ℃ and 20.9-24.0 ℃,the distribution of marmot reached 95％(186/198) of the total area.Meanwhile,most of the marmot were presented in the area with average precipitation of 46-108 mm.Conclusions A quantitative analysis of appropriate ecological environment of Himalayan marmot in a large scope is carried uul successfully using remote sensing and geographic information system.The study indicates that spatial information technology has important applications in plague prevention and control.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the spatial distribution of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and to explore environmental factors associated with HPAI using geographic information system (GIS) techniques in Mainland China.

METHODSDatabases were set up using the information of HPAI during epidemics in 2004, and linked to digital maps at provincial and county administrative layers in the country through the ArcGIS 8.3 software. Spatial cluster analyses, spatial statistics analyses and tracking analyses on epidemic situation of HPAI were implemented. Environmental factors associated with HPAI were also analyzed on data related to weather, vegetation and migratory birds etc.

RESULTSFindings from spatial cluster analyses showed that high incidence area was centralized in 113.261 degrees ordm; east longitude and 23. 119 degrees ordm; north latitude with a radius of 1090.52 kilometers (relative risk= 2.646, P value= 0.001). Spatial statistical analyses showed that HPAI took place mainly in capital cities of provinces and surrounding areas as well as in the circumference areas of arterial rivers, lakes and seacoasts. Results also showed that HPAI occurrences were associated with low air temperature, high relative humidity and high air pressure as well as with east & central migration routes of migratory birds. The average normalized difference vegetation index was 0.36 +/- 0.11 in epidemic areas of HPAI.

CONCLUSIONHPAI was unrandomly distributed and geographically clustered in China.

Animal Migration ; Animals ; Atmospheric Pressure ; Birds ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; Environment ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humidity ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza in Birds ; epidemiology ; Temperature

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A (ConA). MSCs were isolated from male C57BL/6 mice and cultured, and a ConA-induced acute liver injury model was used. MSCs were systemically infused immediately after mice were challenged with ConA, control mice received only saline infusion. 24 hours after MSC transplantation, the level of serum aminotransferases, histologic change and in situ apoptosis of cells were detected, the expression of inflammatory mediators were examined by real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated that MSC transplantation significantly reduced ConA-induced acute liver injury, including the decrease of the level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the extenuation of liver necrosis and in situ apoptosis. Furthermore, after MSC infusion the expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in liver decreased greatly (p<0.05) with no statistical difference in the expression of iNOS, IL-2 and IL-10 (p>0.05). It is concluded that the systemic infusion of MSCs can alleviate ConA induced acute liver injury in mice.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; therapy ; Concanavalin A ; adverse effects ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

0.05).Conclusions Unexplained chest distress and(or)chest pain of children may has close relationship with the autonomic disturbance.As for children with unexplained chest distress and(or)chest pain without organic cardiovascular disease,HUTT in a timely manner will contribute to diagnosis of the cause.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):24-25

Animals ; Asthma ; pathology ; therapy ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genetic Therapy ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Male ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEAlthough chondroprotective activities have been documented for polysaccharides, the potential target of different polysaccharide may differ. The study was aimed to explore the effect of glucan HBP-A in chondrocyte monolayer culture and chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs in vivo, especially on the expression of type II collagen.

METHODSChondrocytes isolated from rabbit articular cartilage were cultured and verified by immunocytochemical staining of type II collagen. Chondrocyte viability was assessed after being treated with HBP-A in different concentrations. Morphological status of chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs in vitro was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The constructs were treated with HBP-A and then injected to nude mice subcutaneously. Six weeks after transplantation, the specimens were observed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mRNA expressions of disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTs-5), aggrecan and type II collagen in both monolayer culture and constructs were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expression of type II collagen and matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) in chondrocyte monolayer culture was also tested through Western blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

RESULTSMMP-3 secretion and ADAMTs-5 mRNA expression in vitro were inhibited by HBP-A at 0.3 mg/mL concentration. In morphological study, there were significant appearance of collagen in those constructs treated by HBP-A. Accordingly, in both chondrocyte monolayer culture and chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs, the expression of type II collagen was increased significantly in HBP-A group when compared with control group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe study documented that the potential pharmacological target of glucan HBP-A in chondrocytes monolayer culture and tissue engineered cartilage in vivo may be concerned with the inhibition of catabolic enzymes MMP-3, ADAMTs-5, and increasing of type II collagen expression.

ADAM Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Aggrecans ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alginates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Glucans ; pharmacology ; Glucuronic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hexuronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mice, Nude ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision. In this review, we report recent trends in international MC and HIV prevention efforts, as well as the potential benefits and importance of promoting MC in China. We appeal to medical and public health authorities to pay close attention to the international experience in MC and HIV prevention.
Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Medicine ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

Vp1 gene of O type foot-and-mouth diseases virus and M. tuberculosis HSP70 were expressed in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expression system. The results of cellular immune responses and humoral immune response were examined after BALB/c mice were immunized with fusion protein expressed in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The genes was cloned into the vector pPICZalpha-A by routine molecular technique. The plasmid fusion (pPICZalphaA-vp1-HSP70) was created that HSP70 located downstream of VP1 gene of O type foot-and-mouth disease virus. Vp1 was expressed by fusing to the amino terminus of M. tuberculosis hsp70 in yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombined fusion plasmid was transformed into methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris X-33 by electrophoration. The recombinant transformants were selected by Zeocin and induced by the addition of methanol every 24h. The expressived product analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The result indicated that the fusion protein(vp1-HSP70) has specific antigenicity. Mice were inoculated transcutaneous three times at a two-weeks interval with fusion protein, PBS and conventional inactivated vaccines. To evaluate the prophylaxtic efficacy of fusion protein, Titers of antibodies was detected by ELISA and proliferation of lymphocytes were determined by MTT. The results indicated that fusion protein could elicit specific humoral immune and cellular immune responses. Compared with conventional inactivated vaccines, fusion protein elicited slightly lower FMDV antibody level but stronger T cell proliferation.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus ; immunology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pichia ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

To explore the effects of ATP concentration in the medium and hypoxia exposure on mitochondrial DNA expression at transcriptional and translational level, rats were exposed to hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber simulating 4000 m above sea level for 3 d (acute hypoxia) or 40 d (chronic hypoxia). Cerebral cortex mitochondria were isolated from control and hypoxia-exposed rats by centrifugation program. The activities of intramitochondrial RNA and protein synthesis were measured respectively by the methods of incorporation of (3)H-UTP or (3)H-Leucine in a cell-free system in vitro in isolated organelle. The effect of different ATP concentrations in medium on incorporation activity of mitochondria from control rat brains was observed. The results showed that there was a 40% reduction in RNA synthesis and a 60% inhibition in protein synthesis in isolated mitochondria in vitro in acute hypoxia exposure compared to control. But in chronic hypoxic exposure, the inhibition of both RNA synthesis and protein synthesis was alleviated, being 72% and 76% of the normoxic control, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of ATP concentration in medium on mitochondrial RNA and protein synthesis in vitro showed two phases. The mitochondrial RNA and protein synthesis were inhibited when ATP concentration was either above or below 1 mmol/L in the incubation medium. These results indicate that hypoxia exposure affects the expression of mtDNA at both transcription and translation levels. It also suggests that the improvement of mitochondrial semi-automation during chronic hypoxic exposure may be at least one of the cellular mechanisms of body adaptation to hypoxia. The regulation of ATP in mitochondrial RNA and protein synthesis is therefore an economic and effective mode of regulation.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Male ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar