Acinetobacter Infections ; microbiology ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Anthracosis ; microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Fosfomycin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology

In order to have a better understanding of the species diversity of medical plants in Enshi, Hubei of China, extensive field investigations and specimen collections were conducted in Enshi and adjacent regions. Based on field observations of plants in their living habitats and comparative morphological studies on specimens in herbarium of Hubei minzu University and other available herbaria as well, three new records of medical plants in Hubei, Scutellaria yunnanensis, Alangium faberi var. heterophyllum, and Drymaria diandra, were reported in this paper.
China ; Plants, Medicinal ; Records as Topic

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the relationship between point mutations of nt3243A --> G, nt3426 A --> G of mitochondrial DNA and type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM).

METHODSTwo hundred patients with type 2 DM and 180 controls with normal glucose tolerance and absence of DM family history were included. The mutations were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTSThe point mutation nt3426A --> G of mitochondrial DNA ND1 was found in 2 of the patients with type 2 DM (1.0%) but in none of the controls (0). The incidence of this mutation showed no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). And none was found to have the mutation of nt3243 --> G.

CONCLUSIONThe point mutation nt3426 A --> G of mitochondrial DNA ND1 may not be an independent factor to cause type 2 DM.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; analysis ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Family ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have indicated that many mutations in mitochondrial (mt) DNA NDI gene region are related to diabetes mellitus. In this study we explored the relationship between various mtDNA ND1 gene mutations and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among Chinese.

METHODSUsing PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and gene sequencing, 4 spots of mtDNA (nt3243, nt3316, nt3394, nt3426) were screened in 478 diabetics and 430 non-diabetic subjects.

RESULTSIn diabetic group, there were 13 carriers (2.72%) of 3316 G-->A mutation,12 (2.51%) of 3394 T-->C mutation and 2 (0.42%) of 3426A-->G mutation. In controls, only 3394 T-->C mutation was observed in 2 subjects (0.47%). There was significant difference in the frequency of 3316 and 3394 mutation between two groups (P < 0.05, respectively). More subjects with mitochondrial DNA ND1 gene mutations had DM family history and greater tendency of maternal inheritance when compared to those patients without mutation in diabetic group (P < 0.01). A 3426 mutation diabetic pedigree was studied, and we found 12 maternal members in the family had the same mutation.

CONCLUSIONmtDNA ND1 gene mutations at nt3316 (G-->A), nt3394 (T-->C) and 3426 (A-->G) might contribute to the pathogenesis of DM with other genetic factors and environment factors.

Base Sequence ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; NADH Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education in controlling the iodine deficiency diserders(IDD) in order to provide reference data for the further prevention and control. Methods Each village of 3 towns in Congjiang County was selected in 2007, where the health education lasting for 10 months had been implemented in the school students of 3-6 grade and the villagers. The school students of 3-6 grade and 30 housewives in the villagers were investigated for their IDD control knowledge, the salt consuming conditions as well as the sales of both rough and fine salt at a salt retail site in each village before and after the health education was implemented. Results The awareness rate of the knowledge of IDD control in the students and housewives was 91.4% (581/636) and 78.3% (282/360), respectively after intervention, which significantly increased (χ2= 532.044, 326.117, both P < 0.01) compared with the rate of 28.2% (184/652) and 11.4% (41/360) before intervention. The proportion of consuming fine salt was 91.8%(146/159) and 95.6%(86/90), significantly inereased(χ2= 236.623, 135.350, both P < 0.01) compared with 6.1%(10/163) and 7.8% (7/90) found before intervention. The selling proportion of fine salt at the salt retail site in the village was 60.0%(900/1500), significantly increased(χ2= 824.176, P < 0.01) compared with 10.0%(150/1500) before intervention. Conclusions Health education and promotion is solid foundation for effectively controlling IDD, through which the students and villagers are actively and voluntarily involved in the program and hence have formed good living and hygiene habits, thus expected effect has been obtained.

Adult ; China ; Genes, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Humans ; Methadone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Opioid-Related Disorders ; virology

OBJECTIVETo obtain human mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), mitochondrial transcription factor B1 (TFB1M), and mitochondrial transcription factor B2 (TFB2M) that were expressed efficiently in E. coli BE21 and to purify the target proteins.

METHODSTFAM, TFB1M, and TFB2M segments were designed and synthesized. After having been sequenced, the reconstructed expression vectors were constructed by enzyme digestion and by cloning into an expression vector pET42a. Then the reconstructed vectors were transformed into E. coli BL21. Recombinant glutathione S transferase (GST) fusion proteins were expressed via the induction of IsoPropyl beta-D-ThioGalactoside (IPTG) and purified by glutathione Sepharose 4B.

RESULTSThe expression plasmids of pET42a-TFAM, pET42a-TFB1M, and pET42a-TFB1M were successfully constructed. The sequences of the cloned gene segments were identical with GenBank reported. The protein bands with relative molecular masses of 56 000, 67 000, and 69 000 appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) after the expressed GST-TFAM, GST-TFB1M, and GST-TFB2M fusion proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. The expressed fusion proteins were purified to high purity.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant plasmids pET42a-TFAM, pET42a-TFB1M, and pET42a-TFB2M were successfully constructed, and the GST-fused target proteins were prepared.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

The silent information regulator protein 2 (Sir2) and its homologues play an important role in the regulation of cellular physiological processes such as survival, apoptosis, and aging. SIRT1, the mammalian Sir 2 homologue, has been shown to deacetylate a wide range of non-histone substrates and histone substrates. It has been constantly reported that SIRT1 may be associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, genomic homeostasis, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases. Calorie restriction may mitigate many major diseases in rodent models by SIRT1-mediated deacetylase activity and prolong the life expectancies in these animals. Therefore, SIRT1 may be emphasized as a new therapy target for many different diseases.
Animals ; Caloric Restriction ; Humans ; Longevity ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; physiology ; Substrate Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the drug resistance of imipenem-resistant (IR) Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP)-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and to provide a basis for clinical treatment.

METHODSSixty-six strains of IR-GNB were isolated from the sputum of CWP-COPD patients with LRTI, and the bacterial spectrum was investigated. The drug resistance of bacterial strains was studied by KB disk diffusion method.

RESULTSAmong the 66 strains of IR-GNB, 29 (43.9%) were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 17 (25.8%) were Acinetobacter baumannii, and 11 (16.7%) were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The drug sensitivity test showed that all bacteria had high drug resistance; Pseudomonas aeruginosa had a susceptibility rate higher than 50% to ciprofloxacin, polymyxin B, fosfomycin, and amikacin, Acinetobacter baumannii had a susceptibility rate higher than 55% to fosfomycin, polymyxin B, and cefoperazone/sulbactam, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia had a susceptibility rate higher than 50% to cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, levofloxacin, polymyxin B, and cefoperazone/sulbactam, and Pseudomonas cepacia had a susceptibility rate higher than 50% to piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, and polymyxin B.

CONCLUSIONThe main species of IR-GNB are such non-fermentative bacteria as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in CWP-COPD patients with LRTI. These bacteria have high drug resistance and are sensitive to only a limited range of antibiotics.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthracosis ; complications ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Humans ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate function of the Lim-only protein(LMO2) in hemangioblast generated from murine embryonic stem cells differentiation to hematopoietic cells.

METHODSThe hemangioblast-specific expression vector with lmo2 or green fluorescence protein gene was constructed, respectively. The murine embryonic stem cells were transfected by the hemangioblast-specific expression vectors. The neomycin-resistance ES cell clones were obtained after having been screened by G418. The cell clones were spontaneously differentiated into embryo bodies(EB) containing hemangioblast.Expression of the hematopoietic genes was investigated by real-time reverse transcription-ploymerase chain reaction during EB differentiation.For the EB cells, blast-cloning forming cells analysis and blood-colony forming unit analysis were then performed, respectively. The numbers of the blasts were counted during hematopoietic differentiation.

RESULTSThe hemangioblast-specific expression vector with lmo2 or green fluorescence protein was transfected into ES cells.The neomycin-resistance ES cells generated EBs from 2.5 days to 10 days.Real time reverse transcription-ploymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that overexpression of lmo2 increased the expression of hematopoietic genes(gata1, tal1, Β-h1, and Β-major globin) during EB formation.Blast-cloning forming cells analysis showed that the numbers of the blasts generated by ES/lmo2 was 2-or 3-fold than those in the controls.The total numbers of the blood-colony forming unit or the numbers of the erythrocyte colony-forming unit generated by ES/lmo2 were 2.5 times or 3 times, respectively, when compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONLMO2 enhances the proliferation and differentiation of hemangioblasts.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; physiology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; LIM Domain Proteins ; physiology ; Mice