This study aims to investigate the genetic characteristics of hemagglutinin in wild-type measles viruses in Henan Province, China and to provide a basis for measles control and elimination. Specimens were collected from suspected measles cases in Henan during 2008-2012. Cell culture was performed for virus isolation, and RT-PCR was used to amplify hemagglutinin gene. The PCR products were sequenced and analyzed, including construction of phylogenetic tree and analysis of the distance between the isolated virus and the reference virus; then, the variations in predicted amino acids were analyzed. The results showed that 12 measles viruses were isolated in Henan Province and identified as H1a genotype; the nucleotide and amino acid homologies were 98.0%-100% and 97.2%-99.8%, respectively. One glycosylation site changed in all the 12 sequences because of the amino acid mutation from serine to asparagine at the 240th site, as compared with Edmonston-wt. USA/54/A. Overall, the wild-type measles virus genotype circulating in Henan Province from 2008 to 2012 was H1a, with high homology between strains; there were some variations in amino acid sequences, resulting in glycosylation site deletion.
China ; Hemagglutinins ; genetics ; Humans ; Measles ; virology ; Measles virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the interface characteristics of the new-designed locking plate (LP) and limited contact-dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) and compare the fracture healing between LP and LC-DCP in a goat tibia fracture model.

METHODSEight-hole LP and LC-DCP were applied to fix fresh goat tibiae in a reproducible manner. The average pressure, force and interface contact area were calculated using Fuji prescale pressure sensitive film interposed among the plate and the bone and image analysis system. Eight-hole LP and LC-DCP were applied to each tibia in a goat tibia fracture model. The fracture healing was evaluated by X-ray photography at postoperative 8 weeks. The goats were sacrificed at postoperative 12 weeks. Three-point bending test was conducted in the tibiae.

RESULTSThe interface contact of LP system was smaller than that of LC-DCP (P < 0.05), while interface contact force of LP system was higher than that of LC-DCP (P < 0.05). Radiographs revealed that the fracture line disappeared in the LP group, while the fracture line was visible in DCP group at postoperative 8 weeks. At postoperative 12 weeks, the bending strength and bending load of fractured tibia were higher in LP group than in DCP group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe new-designed locking plate can significantly decrease the contact area on the bone interface, which further provides better fracture healing than conventional plates.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Goats ; Internal Fixators ; Tibia ; physiopathology ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of OPCML gene in ovarian epithelial carcinoma and determine the relationship between mRNA expression and methylation of their promoters.

METHODTwenty normal ovarian tissues and 89 ovarian epithelial tumor specimens (72 malignant, 17 benign), as well as 3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines (SKOV-3, CAOV3, and 3AO), were collected for detection of OPCML gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and for detection of promoter methylation by restriction enzyme cut analysis from 7. 1999 to 7. 2003.

RESULTSAmong ovarian epithelial carcinoma 19.4% expressed OPCML mRNA, while 85% of normal ovarian tissue and 76.5% of benign ovarian tumor. The ratio of expression of OPCML mRNA in ovarian epithelial carcinoma was significantly lower than those of normal (chi2 = 30.108, P = 0.0000) and benign tumors (chi2 = 21.162, P = 0.000). No OPCML mRNA expression was found in SKOV-3 and CAOV3, but was found in 3AO. Methylations were detected in 44.4% of cancer cells promoter, while 0% in normal ovarian tissue and benign ovarian tumors. The ratio of methylation of ovarian epithelial carcinoma was significantly higher than those of normal (chi2 = 13.630, P = 0.0000) and benign tumors (chi2 = 11.797, P = 0.000). Methylation was found in SKOV-3 and CAOV3, but not in 3AO. The relationship between gene expression and promoter methylation was correlated (r = 11.589, P = 0.002), especially at Hap I1 site (r = 11.640, P = 0.004). Methylation was also found in SKOV-3 and CAOV3 cell lines, but not in 3AO cell line.

CONCLUSIONDeletion of OPCML gene exists in ovarian epithelial carcinoma cell. The gene promoter methylations, especially Hap II motif, may be one of pathways that contribute the inhibition of OPCML expression.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the activation pattern of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, and gain an insight into the molecular mechanism and signal transduction pathway of VEGF that has an effect on CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells.

METHODSAfter isolated from umbilical cord blood by using a high-gradient magnetically activated cell sorting system (MACS), CD34+ cells were stimulated by VEGF (50 ng/ml) for different time (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 min) to detect the tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT-3 and STAT-5 with Western blot and immunocytochemistry methods. The expression of VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) on the membrane of CD34+ progenitor cells was examined by immunocytochemistry. ATWLPPR, an effective peptide screened from phage epitope library by affinity for membrane-expressed VEGFR2 and blocking the binding of VEGF to VEGFR2, was used to determine whether the activation of STAT pathway induced by VEGF was blocked.

RESULTSTyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-3 and STAT-5 was undetectable in unstimulated CD34+ cells, but was evident at 15 min in response to VEGF stimulation. VEGF resulted in a rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-3 and STAT-5. The maximal tyrosine phosphorylation was catched at 30 and 45 min, respectively (P = 0.0001), and returned to basal levels at 90 min. Immunocytochemistry confirmed that increased phosphorylated STAT-3 was translocated into the nuclei at 30 min (P = 0.0001), and mainly in cytoplasms again at 90 min after stimulation with VEGF. However, compared with unstimulated CD34+ cells, there was only increased phosphorylation of STAT-5 appeared mainly in cytoplasms, but no significant nuclear translocation was found after stimulation with VEGF (P > 0.05). The presence of VEGFR2 was confirmed using anti-VEGFR2 antibody staining by immunocytochemistry, moreover, the phosphorylation of STAT-3 and STAT-5 failed to be activated by the co-culture with ATWLPPR and VEGF, suggesting that activation of the STAT pathway be specifically mediated by VEGFR2 in CD34+ progenitor cells.

CONCLUSIONSSTAT signaling pathway participates in the signal transduction of VEGF via VEGFR2 in CD34+ hemopoietic progenitor cells.

Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Milk Proteins ; Phosphorylation ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; Tyrosine ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) give intravenously in the primary treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT).

METHODSA total of 37 patients with low-risk GTT was primarily treated by single MTX in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Data on the patients' age, clinical stage, WHO classification criteria, antecedent pregnancy, presenting level of human chorionic gonadotropin, courses of chemotherapy required to achieve complete remission, and toxicity related to chemotherapy treatments were collected.

RESULTSThirty-seven patients with low-risk GTT totally received 137 cycles of MTX between Oct. 1999 and Sep. 2002, 34 patients (91.9%) achieved complete remission. Twenty-nine patients received multiple courses of MTX, complete remission was induced in 26 patients (89.7%). The complete response rates of I stage and III stage were 100.0% and 70.0% (P = 0.03) respectively in patients who were received multiple courses of MTX. However, eight patients received single course of chemotherapy, 7 patients achieved complete remission, and 1 achieved complete remission after another additional course of MTX was conducted. Grade III side effects (WHO criteria) only appeared in 7 courses (5.1%) during MTX treatment. Follow-up data showed that only one patient with single course of chemotherapy relapsed after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONSingle MTX chemotherapy may be effective and well tolerated for low-risk GTT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; Choriocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on differentiation and function of dendritic cells derived from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells.

METHODSAfter isolation from umbilical cord blood with a high-gradient magnetic cell sorting system (MACS), the CD34+ cells were cultured with a cocktail cytokines for differentiating into dendritic cells (DC). The cells were stimulated by VEGF (25 ng/ml) either at the beginning or at day 9 of culture. Kinetics analysis of cell proliferation was performed during the process of cell culture, and the expression of DC differentiation antigens including CD1alpha, CD83, CD80, CD54 and HLA-DR was examined by flow cytometry. DC function was evaluated by the ability to induce proliferation of allogeneic T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay, and the production of IL-12 by ELISA.

RESULTSVEGF added at day 1 of culture induced an increase of total cell numbers by (1.51 +/- 0.23)-folds (P = 0.001). VEGF added at the initial but not the late stage of culture could dramatically down-regulate the expression of CD1a [(33.00 +/- 2.12)% vs (81.20 +/- 6.93)%], CD83 [(42.23 +/- 1.15)% vs (87.98 +/- 7.97)%], CD80 (42.93 +/- 1.32)% vs (94.53 +/- 0.87)%], and HLA-DR [(37.93 +/- 5.30)% vs (74.15 +/- 3.74)%], while obviously up-regulate the expression of CD14. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of VEGF on DC function was confirmed by a reduced ability to induce proliferation of allogeneic T cells and production of IL-12 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVEGF could induce the expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells and inhibit at the early stage their differentiation into mature DC.

Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD1 ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; blood ; B7-1 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Interleukin-12 ; analysis ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA isoforms in ovarian carcinoma and to explore their role in tumorigenesis and development of ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: The types and levels of VEGF mRNA isoforms of surgical samples from 30 patients with ovarian carcinoma were determined by relatively quantative RT-PCR, nest PCR and sequence analysis. RESULTS: VEGF(121), VEGF(145), VEGF(165) and VEGF(189)mRNA were detected in normal ovaries and ovarian carcinoma tissues. The expression level of VEGF(121) was significantly higher than that of VEGF(145), VEGF(165) and VEGF(189) (P<0.001, respectively). The expression of all 4 isoforms in carcinoma tissues was increased significantly compared with that in normal ovaries (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of VEGF(121), VEGF(145), VEGF (165) and VEGF(189) mRNA, especially VEGF(121), was found in varian carcinoma tissues. This findings suggest that all 4 VEGF isoforms may be involved in the tumorigenesis and development of ovarian carcinoma and VEGF(121) may play a key role.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a vector expressing eukaryotic human interluken-7(hIL-7). METHODS: hIL-7 DNA was identified and cloned (cDNA) from human spleen tissue using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We incorporated the cDNA into the pMD18-T plasmid. The pMD18-T plasmid was then inserted into a dual expression vector (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) pBK-CMV and called pBK-CMV-hIL-7. We used pBK-CMV-hIL-7 vector to infect E.coli DH5alpha. The expression of the recombinant hIL-7 protein (rhIL-7) by E.coli DH5alpha was analyzed using SDS-PAGE and western blot testing. RESULTS: The genetically engineered E.coli DH5alpha did express rhIL-7 confirmed by western blot. CONCLUSION: The successful construction of genetically engineered eukaryotic gene for hIL-7 was done, This will enable further research into therapeutic uses for hIL-7.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the authenticity of the parents' memory on their children's immunization status.

METHODSTwo counties and 1 district in each of the 18 prefectures were selected, and parents of the children 1 - 2 years old, residents in counties or floating in district, were studied on the authenticity of their memory regarding their children's immunization status.

RESULTSThe rates of inoculation with all the four expanded programme on immunization (EPI) vaccines were 89.7% in the whole province, and 77.9% among floating children. The authenticity of the reply from parents on their children, inoculation status with vaccines was above 96%. However, less than 50% of the parents could remember what specific vaccines that their children had received. The authenticity of parents' memory was higher in the parents with high school or college education than those who were illiterates or only having had elementary school education. Mothers had better memory than the fathers. Of the children whose parents could not remember the vaccination status, 97% of them had been inoculated.

CONCLUSIONThe definite answer of parents to children's immunization status had high creditability, especially when the mothers having had more schooling. Those children whose parents failed to remember whether vaccination had been received should not be ranked as unimmuned.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Immunization ; statistics & numerical data ; Immunization Schedule ; Infant ; Memory ; Parent-Child Relations ; Parenting ; psychology ; Social Class

AIMTo investigate the metabolic profile of roxithromycin in dogs and the effects of oral and intravenous administrations on the metabolism of roxithromycin.

METHODSLiquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn) was used for separation and analysis of roxithromycin and its metabolites in dog bile after an oral dose or intravenous dose of roxithromycin. The metabolites were identified by comparisons of their mass spectra and LC behaviors with the references.

RESULTSTotally 13 metabolites were detected in dog bile, including N-demethylated derivatives, N, N-didemethylated derivatives, O-dealkylether derivatives, decladinose derivatives, and the geometric isomers of parent drug and its metabolites.

CONCLUSIONRoxithromycin underwent 4 metabolic pathways in which geometric isomerization and decladinose metabolism were found to be markedly different between the two administration routes.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Bile ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dogs ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Roxithromycin ; administration & dosage ; metabolism