OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of transacting hepatitis D virus (HDV) ribozyme cleaving in vitro the hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA fragments.

METHODSAccording to the established pseudoknot-like structure, its' H1 domain was changed to design the transacting HDV ribozyme Rc1 and Rc2, which targeted the 701-713 site and 776-788 site of HBV C domain. After the chemically synthesised cDNA of the ribozyme was cloned into the vector PGEM-4Z, the transacting HDV ribozyme was transcriped using in vitro transcription technology. The in vitro cleavage characteristics of the ribozyme were studied and the kinetic parameters (Kcat and Km) were determined by Eadie Hofstee plotting.

RESULTSBoth the two ribozymes had the ability to cleave the substrate, the cleavage percentage at 37 degrees for 90 minutes were 50% and 51%. According to the Eadie Hofstee plot, the Km of the Rc1 and Rc2 were 0.61 micromol and 0.58 micromol, the Kcat were 0.64 x min(-1) and 0.60 x min(-1),respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe cleaving ability of trans-acting HDV ribozyme on non-HDV RNA fragment was tested. The results showed a new potential of the antisense antisense regent for HBV gene therapy.

DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis Delta Virus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the mRNA expressions of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins in endotoxemic rats.

METHODSThirty-seven Wistar rats were randomized into two groups with injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or normal saline through the femoral vein. The cardiac function of the rats was monitored continuously for 24 h, and the morphological changes of the cardiac myocytes were observed with HE staining and electron microscope. The mRNA levels of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins including actin, tubulin and desmin were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the number of CD3(+)T lymphocytes in the TILs between different groups. After the immunotherapy, the peLPS injection resulted in significant impairment of the cardiac function and myocardial microstructure of the rats with reduced heart rate and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP). The mRNA expression of actin in the cardiac myocytes measured by fluorescence optical density was reduced significantly 8 h after LPS injection, and that of tubulin was decreased significantly 24 h after LPS treatment; desmin mRNA expression showed no significant variation after LPS injection.

CONCLUSIONLPS can significantly impair the cardiac function of the rats possibly by inducing damages of the myocardial cytoarchitecture and causing changes in the mRNA expressions of such cytoskeletal proteins as actin and tubulin.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endotoxemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of modified lateral approach to sciatic nerve block guided by ultrasound and nerve stimulator for foot surgery.Methods Sixty-two patients of both sexes,aged 18-60 yr,with body mass index ＜ 30 kg/m2,of ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,scheduled for elective foot surgery,were included in the study.Anesthesia was induced with iv propofol 2-4 mg/kg and sufentanil 0.2-0.4 μg/kg.The laryngeal mask airway was inserted and the patients were mechanically ventilated.Sevoflurane was inhaled continuously.Modified lateral approach to sciatic nerve block was performed with 0.3 ％ ropivacaine 30 ml under the guidance of the ultrasound combined with nerve stimulator.Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg and propofol 1-2 mg· kg-1 · h-1 were administered after completion of sciatic nerve block.Additional sufentanil 0.10-0.15 μg/kg was intravenously injected immediately after skin incision and rocuronium 0.15 mg/kg was injected intravenously at 1 h intervals.The depth of puncture and time for puncture and success rate of puncture were recorded.Sensory block was assessed after the patients regained consciousness completely.Nerve injury,hematoma at the puncture site and infection within 72 h after surgery were recorded.Results The time for puncture was (40 ± 17) s.The depth of puncture was (5.8 ± 0.7) cm.The success rate of puncture at first attempt was 77 ％.The rate of complete sensory block was 100％.The post-operative follow-up showed that no patients developed nerve injury,hematoma or infection.Conclusion Modified lateral approach to sciatic nerve block guided by ultrasound and nerve stimulator is safe and effective for foot surgery.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of lateral femoral approach to continuous sciatic nerve block for patient-controlled analgesia after foot and ankle surgery.Methods One hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 18-60 yr,weighing 50-100 kg,with body height of 145-190 cm,scheduled for elective foot and ankle surgery,were divided into 2 groups (u =50 each) using a random number table:patient-controlled nerve block analgesia (PCNA) group and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) group.In group PCNA,the lateral femoral approach to sciatic nerve block was performed under the guidance of ultrasound and a neurostimulator,0.2％ ropivacaine 20 ml was injected after successful location,the catheter was inserted,and 0.2％ ropivacaine 10 ml was injected again.In group PCIA,0.2％ ropivacaine 30 ml was injected after successful location of the sciatic nerve.General anesthesia was performed using laryngeal mask airway in both groups.In group PCNA,PCNA was performed with 0.2％ ropivacaine (diluted to 200 ml in normal saline) at the end of surgery,and the PCNA pump was set up with a 0.5 ml bolus dose,a 15-min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 5 ml/h.In group PCIA,PCIA was performed with sufentanil 100 μg,tramadol 500 mg and tropisetron 10 mg (diluted to 200 ml in normal saline) at the end of surgery,and the PCIA pump was set up with a 0.5 ml bolus dose,a 15-min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 2 ml/h.The visual analog scale score was maintained≤ 3,and postoperative analgesia lasted until postopera-tive 72 h.When visual analog scale scores ≥ 4,tramadol 100 mg was intramuscularly injected as rescue analgesic.The requirement for rescue analgesia and development of adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting,insomnia,puncture site infection and bleeding were recorded within 72 h after surgery.Results The requirement for rescue analgesia and incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in group PCNA than in group PCIA (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion The lateral femoral approach to continuous sciatic nerve block can be safely and effectively used for patient-controlled analgesia after foot and ankle surgery.

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of life and related social support among people living with HIV/AIDS with related factors.

METHODS331 people living with HIV/AIDS and 148 of their family members were selected using a typical sampling method. Questionnaires on general conditions, tables on history of infection, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and social support scale (SSS) were used.

RESULTSData from one-way analysis suggested that people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members with the different sexs, different villages and different cultural backgrounds had differences in GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.05) while people living with HIV/AIDS with the different villages had differences in SSS scores (P < 0.05). Results from Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being elderly and negative life events were negatively associated with social support (P < 0.05), while factors as more advanced educational background, harmonious neighborhood relationship and having bother pouring nature were the predictive factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMany factors might affect dimensions of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members in rural areas of northern Anhui. Community care and social support of HIV/AIDS should still be greatly enhanced in the countryside of China. A community care mode based on family and neighborhood was expected to be developed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; ethnology ; psychology ; China ; Cultural Characteristics ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Social Support

In order to study the spectral reflectance differences of Glycyrrhizae Radix under different growth conditions and lay the foundation for quantitative monitoring of Glycyrrhizae Radix remote sensing images, spectra of Glycyrrhiza species under different growth period and different varieties and different regions were measured by a portable spectrometer. The results showed that the reflectivity of annual G. uralensis was obviously higher than that of the two years plant in the visible light band own to the contents of crown layer chlorophyll. The reflectivity of two years G. pallidiflora was higher than that of G. uralensis in the near infrared band own to the leaf area index and the content of leaf water. The red edge spectrum of annual plant fluctuated largely than that of two years plant due to vegetation coverage and leaf area index. G. pallidiflora grew well than G. uralensis. Under different regions of the Glycyrrhiza species, spectral data analysis showed that within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors to affect the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under different regions owe to the leaf water content, the higher leaf water content, the lower spectral reflectance. The principal component analysis and continuum-removed method of the spectral data under different regions found that, within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors caused by the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under the different regions, Glycyrrhiza species spectral similarity related to the spatial distance.
Geography ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrum Analysis

Chinese patent orthopedic medicines feature complex components, mainly including desperate and toxic herbal pieces, narrow safety window, more clinical contraindications and frequent adverse drug reaction/events (ADR/ADE). To study the general safe medication regularity of Chinese patent orthopedic medicines, define key points in the medication education and ensure rational clinical medication, the authors took 80 types of commonly used Chinese patent orthopedic medicines as the study objects, collect 237 cases from 164 ADR/ADE documents through a system retrieval strategy, make a multidimensional literature analysis to determine the common risk factors for safe and rational medication of Chinese patent orthopedic medicines and establish an ADR/ADE prevention regularity. First, in the aspect of clinical symptoms, skin allergy is the most common ADR/ADE and closely related to the toxic ingredients, particularly accumulated liver or kidney damage caused by some drugs. Second, there are three time nodes in the ADR/ADE occurrence; The ADR/ADE occurred in 30 minutes is closely related to the idiosyncrasy; the ADR/ADE occurred between several months and half a year is related to the drug-induced liver and kidney damages; The most common ADR/ADE was observed within 7 days and predictable according to the pharmacological actions; Third, toxicity is an important factor in the occurrence of ADR/ADE of Chinese patent orthopedic medicines. Fourth, emphasis shall be given to the special medication factors, such as the combination with western medicines and Chinese herbal decoctions, overdose and long-course medication and self-medical therapy. In conclusion, the general ADR/ADE prevention regularity for Chinese patent orthopedic medicines was summarized to provide supports for clinicians in safe and rational medication and give the guidance for pharmacist in medication education.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Diseases ; drug therapy ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Orthopedics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Young Adult

The aim of the manuscript was to optimize formulations and preparation technologies of cataplasm of white mustard seed varnish, and to evaluate its anti-asthma effect on rats. The single factor experiments included spreading thickness, types of crosslinking agents, dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate amount, sodium polyacrylate amount, types of adhesive agents with human sense as the evaluation index. Blank cataplasm matrix was optimized by the orthogonal experiment with the amount of glycerine, citric acid, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as the major influential factors. Initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense were as the evaluation index. The optimized formulation of blank cataplasm were as followings: glycerine-water-ethanol-PEG400-dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate-citric acid-sodium carboxymethylcellulose-sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 : 8 : 0.8 : 0.4 : 0.07: 0.15 : 0.1 : 0.5. The active ingredients of white mustard seed, corydalis, and gansui root were extracted by alcohol extraction method. Asiasarum volatile oil was extracted by oil extractor. The optimized drug loading amount was 11% with initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense as the evaluation index. Asthma rats model were established by sensitized with ovalbumin and nose-scratching time as the evaluation index. High dose (17%) group of drug-loaded cataplasm had the obvious inhibition effect on nose-scratching time of rats (P = 0.037 < 0.05). In comparison, middle dose (11%), low dose (4%) and positive-control groups had no obvious inhibitive effect on rats. White mustard seed cataplasm supplied a novel choice for anti-asthma therapy. And the overall pharmacodynamics assessment will be carried out on molecular level in near future.
Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo summarize the surgical treatment and clinical bio-characteristics of primary esophageal adenocarcinoma (PEAC).

METHODSClinical data of 43 cases with PEAC who had undergone operation from February 1980 to December 2000 in Linzhou City Esophageal Tumor Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSForty-three cases PEAC were reported in this study, which were 0.8% out of 5638 cases pathologically confirmed esophageal carcinoma treated during this period. Twelve cases (27.9%) were in the middle 1/3 of esophagus, thirty-one cases (72.1%) in the lower 1/3, which were significantly different from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Fourteen cases were pure esophageal adenocarcinoma (32.6%), twenty-nine cases were adenosquamous cell carcinoma and adenoacanthoma cell carcinoma (67.4%). The ratio of lymph node metastasis of PEAC was higher than that of ESCC (65.1% vs. 31.6%, P < 0.001). The overall survival rates of 1, 3 and 5-year of PEAC were 81.4%, 46.5% and 28.2%, respectively, which were lower than those of ESCC (89.7%, 68.2% and 39.4%, respectively; chi 2 = 4.846, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with ESCC, PEAC, mainly located in the inferior 1/3 of esophagus, is a malignant disease with higher frequency of lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Surgical resection should be the first choice of treatment. Early diagnosis and early treatment as well as curative operation could improve prognosis. The long-term survival may be increased by adjunct multi-modality treatment.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; adverse effects ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Lobe Syndrome ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome