Inhalation injury is caused by inhalation of heat, toxic or irritating gases which lead to respiratory and pulmonary parenchyma damage. At present, the clinical understanding about it is still limited and lack of effective diagnosis and treatment standard. Based on the experience of diagnosis and treatment of domestic inhalation injury, combined with reports of international researches, criteria (expert consensus) for inhalation injury were systematically discussed from pathological and pathophysiological changes, clinical diagnosis and evaluation, and clinical treatment, which provides reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients inflicted with inhalation injury.
Burns, Inhalation ; Consensus ; Humans ; Lung ; Smoke Inhalation Injury ; diagnosis ; therapy

3-Deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate synthase (KDO8PS) is the key enzyme to synthesize eight-carbon sugar in plant and gram-negative bacterial cell wall. To analyze the polymerization and characterization in plant KDO8PS, the candidate gene was cloned from fresh Phyllostachys edulis seedling by RT-PCR. The open reading frame of PeKDO8PS is 876 bp deduced into 291 amino acid residues. The target protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli induced by IPTG and then lager amount of fusion protein was purified through two-step methods with affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). SEC analysis shows that PeKDO8PS protein existed mainly in the form of dime in solution. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking experiments confirmed that the enzyme could form dimers. Further we identified that KDO8PS at high concentration two dimers could form tetramer in aqueous solution by analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) analysis. The pH of the catalytic reaction was between 4.0 and 9.0, the optimum pH value was 8, the thermal stability range was between 25 and 65 ℃, and the optimum temperature was about 55 ℃. The enzyme activity was inhibited by some metal ions at lower concentrations, especially in the presence of Fe3+metal ion and activated by metal protease inhibitor EDTA at low concentration.

Swine is an ideal model for diabetes studies. Insulin and insulin resistance are closely related with diabetes. To investigate the effect of SOCS-3 in insulin resistance, porcine primary adipocyte was treated with insulin (100 nmol/L) and dexamethasone (300 nmol/L) to induce insulin resistance. The simi-quantitative PCR results suggested that insulin increased GLUT4, PPARgamma and SOCS-3 gene expression in primary culture porcine adipocytes and no change of OB gene expression. Under insulin resistance conditions, SOCS-3 and OB gene expression were up-regulated, whereas GLUT4 and PPARgamma gene expression were down-regulated in primary porcine adipocytes. The overexpression of PPARgamma gene resulted in the increase of GLUT4 expression by insulin. Different expression levels of SOCS-3 determined the inhibitory effects of insulin signaling. Induction of insulin resistance by dexamethasone was not only due to inhibition of glucose transportation, but also repression of insulin signaling. SOCS-3 might be a potential gene to block the insulin resistance.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Swine

In order to construct recombinant adenovirus vector expressing Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and obtain infectious adenoviral particles, SOCS3 gene was amplified from plasmid pcDNA3-SOCS3 and subcloned into the adenovirus shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. After sequence confirmation, the recombinant shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV-SOCS3 was linearized by Pme I, and then transformed into BJ5183 competent cell, the recombinant plasmid pAd-SOCS3 was obtained by homologous recombination between pAdTrack-CMV-SOCS3 and the adenoviral backbone plasmid pAdEasy-1 in BJ5183. The pAd-SOCS3 was linearized by Pac I and transfected into HEK293 cells via liposome. The recombinant adenovirus was packaged and amplified in HEK293 cells. After purifying, virus titer was determined by tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50). Using the recombinant adenoviruses to infect porcine primary adipocytes, the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was observed by fluorescent microscopy, and SOCS3 gene was identified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Restriction enzyme and PCR analysis demonstrated that the recombinant adenovirus vector was constructed correctly, and the virus titer reached 1.2x10(9) PFU/mL. The result of RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that SOCS3 mRNA and protein expression was remarkably increased in porcine primary adipocytes infected with recombinant adenovirus. In conclusion, this study successfully constructed the recombinant adenovirus containing SOCS3 gene, and can be helpful for further research on the function of SOCS3.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adipocytes ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Swine ; Transfection

In June 2013, the first human H6N1 influenza virus infection was confirmed in Taiwan. However, the origin and molecular characterization of this virus, A/Taiwan/2/2013 (H6N1), have not been well studied thus far. In the present report, we performed phylogenetic and coalescent analyses of this virus and compared its molecular profile/characteristics with other closely related strains. Molecular characterization of H6N1 revealed that it is a typical avian influenza virus of low pathogenicity, which might not replicate and propagate well in the upper airway in mammals. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus clusters with A/chicken/Taiwan/A2837/2013 (H6N1) in seven genes, except PB1. For the PB1 gene, A/Taiwan/2/2013 was clustered with a different H6N1 lineage from A/chicken/Taiwan/ A2837/2013. Although a previous study demonstrated that the PB2, PA, and M genes of A/Taiwan/2/2013 might be derived from the H5N2 viruses, coalescent analyses revealed that these H5N2 viruses were derived from more recent strains than that of the ancestor of A/Taiwan/2/2013. Therefore, we propose that A/Taiwan/2/2013 is a reassortant from different H6N1 lineages circulating in chickens in Taiwan. Furthermore, compared to avian isolates, a single P186L (H3 numbering) substitution in the hemagglutinin H6 of the human isolate might increase the mammalian receptor binding and, hence, this strain's pathogenicity in humans. Overall, human infection with this virus seems an accidental event and is unlikely to cause an influenza pandemic. However, its co-circulation and potential reassortment with other influenza subtypes are still worthy of attention.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Animals ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype ; genetics ; physiology ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Laboratories ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; virology ; Protein Conformation ; Taiwan ; epidemiology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Purpose To promote the systematic development, interests, practice, research and clinical applications of health psychology in general hospitals in Hong Kong and the mainland of China.Data sources The targets and aims of therapeutic work with patients in pain, cancer patients, child and adolescent patients, patients with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and patients requiring organ transplantation are highlighted. Study selection The psychological interventions described are experiences derived from routine clinical services carried out in the Clinical Health Psychology Unit where the authors are affiliated, and can be seen as an example of a more comprehensive psychological intervention program for physically ill patients in Hong Kong.Results Psychological interventions have intrinsic values in reducing patients' distress and sufferings. The services are also an integral part of modern day comprehensive patient care with positive effects on treatment effectiveness and eventual illness outcome.Conclusions Physical illnesses affect a person physically as well as psychologically. Psychological care in general hospitals is cost effective and beneficial in reducing undue psychological complications precipitated by physical afflictions as well as in promoting better overall outcomes.

Objective To investigate the significance of interleukin-13 (IL-13) in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN). Methods Ten healthy volunteers and 16 patients with active LN were included in this study. The protein level of IL-13 in plasma was examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and gene expression of IL-13 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of IL-13 mRNA in renal tissue was studied by in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques. Results The level of IL-13 in plasma and the expression of IL-13 mRNA in PBMCs were significantly higher in LN patients than those in the controls ( P ＜ 0.001 ). Increased expression of IL-13 mRNA was detected in renal tissue of active LN patients compared to those in the controls ( P ＜ 0.001 ). Analysis of the linear correlation indicated that the level of IL-13 mRNA in the tubulointerstitial area in patients with active LN correlated with the concentration of serum creatinine (Scr), the glomerular activity index (GAl), the activity index of tubulointerstitium, and the level of serum C3 ( P ＜ 0.05 for each). Conclusion The elevation of IL-13 may play an important role inthe molecular pathogenesis of active LN.

Arabinose-5-phosphate isomerase (KdsD) is the first key limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate (KDO). KdsD gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-HTT by seamless DNA cloning method and the amount of soluble recombinant protein was expressed in a soluble form in E. coli BL21 (DE3) after induction of Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The target protein was separated and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, and its purity was more than 85%. Size exclusion chromatography showed that KdsD protein existed in three forms: polymers, dimmers, and monomers in water solution, different from microbial KdsD enzyme with the four polymers in water solution. Further, the purified protein was identified through Western blotting and MALDI-TOF MASS technology. The results of activity assay showed that the optimum pH and temperature of AtKdsD isomerase activities were 8.0 and 37 ℃, respectively. The enzyme was activated by metal protease inhibitor EDTA (5 mmol/L) and inhibited by some metal ions at lower concentration, especially with Co²⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal ion. Furthermore, when D-arabinose-5-phosphate (A5P) was used as substrate, Km and Vmax of AtKdsD values were 0.16 mmol/L, 0.18 mmol/L·min. The affinity of AtKdsD was higher than KdsD in E. coli combined with substrate. Above results have laid a foundation for the KdsD protein structure and function for its potential industrial application.
Aldose-Ketose Isomerases ; biosynthesis ; Arabidopsis ; enzymology ; Arabidopsis Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Metals ; Pentosephosphates ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis

In order to investigate the effects of germplasm and host tree trunk on endophytic fungal communities in epiphytic Dendrobium catenatum, a total of 3 835 isolates were recovered from roots, stems and leaves of four D. catenatum germplasms attached to one kind of host tree trunk and one germplasm attached to four kinds of epiphyte-host tree trunks. A total of 152 taxa were identified and classified based on the fungal cultural characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequences. The taxa were assigned to 60 genera, 35 families, 21 orders and 5 classes of 2 phyla. The results indicated that D. catenatum cultivated in stereo cultivation harbor variety of fungi. The dominant fungal groups were different between Lin'an and Yiwu. Moreover, several groups showed geographical specificity, such as Arthrinium, Coniochaeta, Fusarium, Neofusicoccum and Zopfiella only dominating in Panshan of Lin'an, while Alternaria, Bjerkandera, Cercophora, Nigrospora and Trichoderma only dominating in Shangxi of Yiwu. There was no significant difference in diversity or species richness of endophytic fungi neither among germplasm nor host tree trunk. However, the richness and diversity indices exhibited a strong dependence on tissue type (<0.05). The germplasm and host tree trunk impact the distribution patterns of endophytic fungi less than tissue type. Nevertheless, the relative frequencies of the dominant fungal groups were different among germplasms or host tree trunk types. Furthermore, there were some fungal species specific to certain germplasm or host tree trunk. This might be due to the distinctions in growth traits and chemical compositions of D. catenatum owning to the differences in D. catenatumgenetic background and microenvironment of host tree. Most of fungal taxa exhibit tissue specificity or preference. These results provide the basis for the study on the relationship between endophytic fungi and D. catenatum in stereo cultivation mode.

OBJECTIVE： To establish a UPLC fingerprint of Ficus tikoua. METHODS： UPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEF C18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.2％ aqueous acetic acid-acetonitrile （gradient elution）； the detection wavelength was 254 nm； the flow rate was 0.1 mL/min； the column temperature was 25 ℃， and sample size was 2 μL. UPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of samples and 2 batches of adulterants were determined by using No. 14 peak as reference. The similarity evaluation was carried out by using the TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System （2012 edition） so as to determine common peak. The cluster analysis was performed by using SPSS 20.0 software. SIMCA 13.1 software was used to conduct the principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）. RESULTS： There were 28 common peaks in UPLC fingerprint of 10 batches of F. tikoua. The similarity of 10 batches of F. tikoua was between 0.839 and 0.935， and the similarities of the 2 batches of adulterants were 0.503 and 0.173 respectively， which indicated that F. tikoua could be distinguished from adulterants. 10 batches of F. tikoua could be divided into 2 categories by cluster analysis and principle component analysis， and S3-S5， S9 and S10 were grouped into one category， and the remaining batches were grouped into one category. 7 components with a variable importance in projection （VIP） value ＞1 were screened by OPLS-DA analysis. These 7 components may be the main components that caused the quality difference of 10 batches of F. tikoua samples. CONCLUSIONS： Established fingerprint， cluster analysis， principle component analysis and OPLS-DA can be used for the identification and quality control of F. tikoua.