Chigger mites are arthropods and are the sole vectors of scrub typhus, and rodents as well as other small mammals are the most common hosts of chigger mite larvae. Therefore, it is of great medical significance to study the ecology of chigger mites. In this study, a detailed analysis of chigger mites was conducted based on field survey data. A total of 4,941 chigger mites were collected from 86 hosts at 34 survey sites in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China. Among the 4,941 chiggers, five genera in one subfamily were identified; Schoengastiella ligula was the dominant chigger species with the highest infestation index, prevalence (Pm, 42.86%) and mean intensity (MI, 59.09%) (P<0.001). The association coefficient (V) between S. ligula and Gahrliepia radiopunctata was positively correlated (P<0.05), indicating the tendency of chiggers to select and coexist on the same host at the same time. The dominant species Leptotrombidium kunmingense, Ascoschoengastia indica, S. ligula and G. radiopunctata showed aggregation distribution patterns, indicating that the distribution of chiggers among different hosts was not uniform. Low altitudes and low latitudes appeared to be more favorable for the growth and reproduction of chigger mites (P<0.05). It is suggested to collect as many host samples as possible in future field investigations to better understand the dynamics of chigger mite populations and their primary hosts.

Objective　At present, the main studies of ginsenoside Rg1 are almost on the field of solid tumors and acute leukemias, and few on chronic leukemias. We aims to figure out the role of ATR-Chk1 pathway on cell aging in ginsenoside Rg1-treated leukemia K562 cells.　Methods　K562 cells were treated with ginsenoside Rg1 at different concentrations and divided into a control group (with 50 μL PBS culture solution) and 5 μmol/L ginsenoside group, 10 μmol/L ginsenoside group, 20 μmol/L ginsenoside group, 40 μmol/L ginsenoside group, 80 μmol/L ginsenoside group. CCK-8 assay，colony formation assay and flow cytometry for cell cycle detection were used to determine the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the aging of K562 cells. SA-β-Gal staining and Wright’s staining were used to observe the morphological changes of K562 cells’ aging. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the changes of ATR and Chk1 expression.　Results　The colony formation rate of K562 cells in the 20 μmol/L ginsenoside group was significantly lower than that in the other groups (P<0.05). CCK-8 test results showed that K562 cell proliferation of ginsenoside Rg1 induced groups was higher than that of the control group at 24, 48, and 72 hours (P<0.05). K562 cell proliferation inhibition rate was the highest in 20 μmol/L ginsenoside group for 48 hours treatment (P<0.05). The rate of SA-β-Gal positive cells [(95.833 ± 1.528) %] in 20 μmol/L ginsenoside-treated K562 cells for 48 h was significantly higher than that of the control group [(3.083 ± 0.764) %]. Cells blocked in G0/G1 phase and entered S and G2/M phases were significantly higher and lower than those in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).The ATR and Chk1 mRNA expression levels [(0.0117 ± 0.0038) %, (0.0120 ± 0.0021) %] were significantly higher than that of the control group ([0.0027 ± 0.0006) %, (0.0058 ± 0.0019) %) (P<0.05). ATR and Chk1 relative protein expression levels [(19.370 ± 0.994) %, (43.520 ± 1.236) %] were significantly increased compared with that of the control group [(17.080 ± 1.274) %, (39.100 ± 0.969) %) (P<0.05).　Conclusion　Ginsenoside Rg1 can induce the aging of K562 cells by regulating the ATR-Chk1 pathway, providing a new target for clinical leukemia treatment.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the polymorphisms of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in rs2240424, rs2057951, rs2240427 and rs714909 loci in the PATZ1 gene and azoospermia.

METHODSThe allele and genotype frequencies of the four SNPs were investigated in 180 patients with azoospermia and 190 normal men as controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The allele and genotype frequencies of the four SNPs were investigated in 180 patients with azoospermia and 190 normal men as controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTSThe frequencies of allele C (35.0% vs. 27.6%, P=0.031) and individuals with allele C (TC+CC) (57.8% vs. 46.3%, P=0.027) at the rs2057951 locus in azoospermic patients were significantly higher than that in normal men. There was a significant difference in distribution of haplotypes of the four SNPs between the two groups (P=0.01). Hapoltypes ACAC (11.1% vs. 6.6%, P=0.029) and ACGC (11.2% vs. 5.2%, P=0.003) increased significantly in azoospermic patients compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONThe allele C of rs2057951 locus and haplotypes ACAC and ACGC of the four SNPs in PTAZ1 gene increased the susceptibility to azoospermia, suggesting that PATZ1gene may be associated with azoospermia.

Alleles ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics

Male infertility is a complex disease affecting the reproduction of childbearing couples, for which genetic polymorphism of spermatogenesis genes is an important genetic pathogenic factor. Lots of genes closely related with spermatogenesis have been successfully identified through the gene knockout technology. Spermatogenesis impairment related genes include those associated with expression enzymes, receptors, cell apoptosis, transcription regulation, and so on. The genetic susceptibility of these genes, infection, and environment jointly contribute to non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia in males. The analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of spermatogenesis impairment related genes helps explain the possible mechanism of pathogenesis at the molecular level, and provides theoretical evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. The article focuses on the correlation of the SNPs of spermatogenesis impairment related genes with azoospermia and oligozoospermia.
Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUND: Apatite-wollastonite containing glass-ceramic (AWGC) is a kind of good bone repairing materials with excellent bioactivity, which is prepared by traditional melting process.OBJECTIVE: To observe AWGC prepared with sol-gel method and its bioactivity.DESIGN: Design experiment of materials process and in vitro bioactivity experiment.SETTING: College of materials science and Engineering of Sichuan University.MATERIALS: AWGC.METHODS: This experiment was conducted at the laboratory of College of Materials Science and Engineering of Sichuan University between August 2002 and May 2003. AWGC was prepared from sol-gel and followed by heattreating process. Bioactivity was investigated in vitro by immersing in the simulate body fluid (SBF) at 37 ℃ for 7 days . JL-1155 laser particle analyzer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope were used for micro-morphological structure analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①The crystalline structure and microstructure of sol-gel derived glass-ceramic② The apatite forming process in simulate body fluid③ The diameter of the pore of the sol-gel derived apatite/wollastonite glass-ceramicRESULTS: ①Main crystalline phases of the sol-gel derived glass-ceramic materials were hydroxyapatite/fluoroapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH, F)] and β-wollastonite[β-CaSiO3]; Microstructure contained many micro-pores of 2-3μ m;② Sol-gel derived AW glass ceramic had excellent bioactivity: plenty of apatite granules were generated on the surface of the material after soaking for 7 days. ③Porous scaffolds possessed good macro-porous structure with the interconnected macro pores of 300-400 μm in diameter;CONCLUSION: Apatite-wollastonite containing glass-ceramic (AWGC)with excellent bioactivity was developed by sol-gel process. The material is expected to be a good candidate for bone-repairing and bone tissue engineering scaffold materials.

Objective: To investigate CT manifestations and their diagnostic value of schistosomal appendicitis. Methods: Totally 26 patients with schistosomal appendicitis and 36 patients with non-schistosomal appendicitis confirmed by surgery and pathology were enrolled. CT manifestations were observed and compared, including appendix morphology, appendix stone shape and calcification on the adjacent colon wall. Results: There was no significant difference of appendix widening, thickening of appendix wall nor inflammation around appendix between patients with schistosomal appendicitis and non-schistosomal appendicitis (all P>0.05). Compared with non-schistosomal appendicitis, calcifications of the colonic wall and the orbital sign of the appendix stone were more common in schistosomal appendicitis, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Conclusion: The orbital sign of the appendix stone and calcification signs of the intestinal wall around the appendix showed with plain CT combined with MPR and CPR are helpful to the diagnosis of schistosomal appendicitis.

Objective To observe the protective effect and molecular mechanism of C-phycocyanin (CPC) on acute lung injury (ALI) in septic rats. Method 75 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and CPC group. Cecal ligation and puncture was used to establish a septic acute lung injury rats (model group). For the CPC groups, septic acute lung injury rats were administrated by 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg CPC by intraperitoneal injection. 72 h after the operation, serum and lung tissue were obtained, the wet to dry weight ratio, the content of TNF-α、IL-6 and IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was analyzed. Expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1,activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf 2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B) were detected by Western blot. Superoxide and Nitrite/Nitrate Level production in Lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by chemiluminescence and reduction method, respectively. Results Treatment with CPC significantly inhibited septic-induced inflammatory responses including elevation of superoxide formation, myeloperoxidase activity, leucocytes and protein infiltration in lung tissues, and production of proinflammatory cytokine, and nitrite/nitrate in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P<0.05). In addition, CPC could activate Nrf 2 and induce HO-1 expression, and inhibit NF-B activation in ALI rats. However, blocking HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an HO-1 inhibitor, markedly abolished these beneficial effects of CPC in septic-induced ALI. Conclusion The protection mechanism of CPC may be through HO-1 induction and suppressing of NF-kB-mediated inflammatory responses.

Objective:To observe the changes of TLR4 and IL-6 expression in rats hippocampus CA1 region in remote ischemic postconditioning(RIP) and explore its significance.Methods: All the 72 male SD rats were divided into Sham group,Contrast group and RIP group randomly.Each group was divided into 4 time points:12h,24 h,48 h and 72 h group.There were 6 rats in each group.Use the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model which was established with modified Longa method as the contrast group.The method of RIP was to Fasten rats Posterior limbs by a tourniquet for 30 min immediately,then relax them for 30 min, repeat 3 times.To observe the pathological variation of hippocampus CA1 region by HE dyeing;to test the expression of TLR4 and IL-6 by immunohistochemical staining.Results: Compared to contrast group, neuronal loss and swelling reduced significantly in RIP group.Compared to sham group, the TLR4 and IL-6 expression in contrast group and RIP group increased significantly ( P<0.05 ) .Compared to contrast group,the TLR4 and IL-6 expression in RIP group reduced significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion:RIP dose have protective effect on cerebral ischemia.The effect may be associated with the inhibition of TLR4 and IL-6 expression.

Objective To explore the related risk factors of stroke in progression(SIP)and establish discriminant models to predict the incidence.Methods 31 possible related factors were compared between progressive group(n=110)and non-progressive group(n=336),and the related factors were analyzed in discriminant models.Results Discriminant models were established by 16 factors,including arterial stenosis,OCSP subtype,blood glucose,low density lipoprotion,creatinine,the sign of early cerebral infarction on CT,the temperature increasing and the rapidly decreasing of blood pressure in 48 hours after admittion.The evaluation to the models by interview data and prospective data showed a satisfied result.Conclusion Arterial stenosis,OCSP subtype and other significant factors selected by model will be helpful in prediction of SIP.

Objective To discuss the effect of von willebrand factor (vWF) antibody on idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP) .Methods 28 cases of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura were selected in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2013 ,and 30 healthy persons as control group ,ADAMTS13 and vWF of two groups were detected .Results 3 cases of patients were detected with positive vWF antibody ,vWF antibody negative in the remaining patients .3 patients with positive vWF antibody ADAMTS13 antibodies were negative ,ADAMTS13 levels were lower than the normal value .The levels of ADAMTS13 in vWF antibody positive patients was significantly lower than that of vWF antibody negative patients and the control group ,(P<0 .01) .vWF antibody positive patients plasma vWF antibody A was higher than vWF antibody negative and the control group (P<0 .01) .In idiopathic TTP after PE ADAMTS13 antigen increased significantly ,vWF antibody and A levels decreased significantly (P<0 .05) .Conclusion vWF antibodies in idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic plays an important role in the pathogenesis of purpura ,vWF antibody may affect patients ADAMTS13 ,promote vWF complex formation ,effect of disease .