Objective To evaluate the role of Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in detection of the fragment of GEF1α/a gene which are both located at ct and a mating type loci in identification of species, varieties, genotypes and mating types of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex(Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii). Methods The GEF1α/a gene was selected from 20 genes which both located at α and a mating type loci for RFLP analysis, according to the requirements of sequence similarities and primer design in PCR-RFLP analysis. Primer pair was designed from the conserved regions of GEF1α/a genes of distinct genotypes and mating types of reference strains to amplify a fragment of GEF1α/a gene from Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcns gattii strains tested. Sequence alignment,restriction maps analysis, endonucleases selection and electrophoresis stimulation were conducted by using DNAMAN and Vector NTI software. EeoT14 Ⅰ and Hap Ⅱ endonucleases were selected for RFLP analysis of the GEF1α/a fragments amplified from 125 isolates of Cryptococcns neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Results An approximate 1 300 bp fragment was amplified from total 82 Cryptococcus neoformans and 43 Cryptoceccus gattii isolates. However, negative PCR results were found in the reference strains of Cryptococcus laurentii, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krnsei,Candida glabrata, Trichosporon asahii, Aspergillus fumigatns and Aspergillus flavus. RFLP analysis successfully identified the species, varieties, genotypes and mating types of total 125 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcns gattii tested in this study. Condusion PCR-RFLP analysis of the GEF1α/a fragment has the potential value in identification of species, varieties, genotypes and mating types of Cryptococeus neoformans species complex simultaneously and rapidly, and may be a useful tool in molecular epidemiological analysis.

Objective To explore the measures and methods to cope with the early stage epidemic struck of H7N9 avian influenza,as the head nurses of the department of infectious diseases.Methods The main work focus of the head nurses of the department of infectious diseases were analyzed during the early stage of H7N9 epidemic struck systematically by reference to the domestic literatures.Results At the early stage of H7N9 epidemic struck,the main work focus of the head nurses of the department of infectious diseases was to draw up every emergency plans,prepare necessary protective medical supplies,train medical staff,and be ready to the preview and triage.Conclusions The head nurses of the department of infectious diseases should pay close attention to the progress of H7N9 epidemic struck,and get ready for all related work in order to ensure smooth treatment during early stage of the epidemic struck.

Objective To find out whether NOTCH receptors can serve as direct downstream targets of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)/Smad4 signaling in endothelial cells.Methods Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to verify whether the expression of notch1 and notch4 was regulated by TGF-β pathway.Luciferase reporter assay was employed to investigate how the promoter of notch1 and notch4 was regulated by TGF-β.Then, ChIP assay was used confirm whether the promoter of notch1 and notch4 physically interacted with SMAD protein.Results TGF-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) treatment increased the expression of both notch1 and notch4 at the transcriptional level.In addition, SMAD4 was physically associated with the SMAD binding sites on the notch4 promoter, which was largely enhanced under the treatment of TGF-β1 and BMP4.Importantly, TGF-β1 and BMP4 failed to transactivate notch4 in the absence of endogenous SMAD4 or the SMAD binding regions on the notch4 promoter.Conclusion The expression of NOTCH receptor can be directly up-regulated by SMAD4-mediated TGF-β/BMP signaling in cerebrovascular endothelial cells.

Objective To discuss whether mild hyperuricemia can lead to kidney damage and the protection of decreased uric acid,through observing that hyperuricemia did damage to glomerulus endothelial function and cell proliferation of vascular smooth muscle in rats. Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were divided into four groups,the control group,model group (Oxonate),allopurinol group and Oxonate+allopurinol group.Rats were administered on a low sodium diet and their systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured each 10 days.ELISA was used to detect rat plasma markers of endothelial function damage [nitric oxide (NO),type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1),endothelin 1 (ET-1)] and cell proliferation of vascular smooth muscle[plateletderived growth factor (PDGF),cycloxygenase 2 (COX2),monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)],and the markers of inflammatory reaction[interleukin-18 (IL-18),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)].PDGF and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels of rats were detected by immunohistochemical method.Renal tissue pathology of rats was observed. Results Compared to the control group,the plasmic concentration of COX2,ET-1,IL-18,PAI-1,PDGF,TNF-o,MCP-1 increased,and NO decreased significantly in rats of model group (all P＜0.05),expression of NOS significantly reduced and PDGF increased (all P＜0.05).Under light microscope,vascular wall thickening,intimal proliferation and lumen slight stricture without uric acid crystals in renal tissue were found in model group,which were obviously improved by using allopurinol. Conclusion Mild hyperuricemia can do damage to endothelial function of glomerulus and lead to vascular cell proliferation,which can be improved through decreasing uric acid.

Objective To analyze the composition and distribution of pathogens from 1366 superficial candidiasis cases in Shanghai.Methods Candida species identification was carried out for 1366 adults or children with superficial candidiasis by using CHROMagar Candida plates,API20C AUX system,etc.Pal's agar,Xylose assimilation and the test for growth at 45 ℃ were utilized to differentiate Candida dubliniensis.Newly identified pathogenic Candida species including Candida orthopsilosis,Candida metapsilosis,Candida fermentati,Candida nivariensis and Candida bracarensis were differentiated by molecular biological methods.Finally,the composition and distribution of pathogens in superficial candidiasis cases were statistically analyzed.Results A total of 1366 Candida strains,included 2 Candida orthopsilosis strains and 4 Candida metapsilosis strains,were isolated from these cases.Among these isolates,Candida albicans predominated(79.0％),followed by Candida parapsilosis(9.5％),Candida tropicalis(2.9％)and Candida guilliermondii(1.9％).The composition of Candida species was significantly different between child and adult patients(x2 =196.46,P ＜ 0.01),with the isolation rate of non-albicans Candida species being 14.4％ and 45.8％ respectively in child and adult patients.Conclusions Candida albicans is still the dominant pathogen of superficial candidiasis.Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis can cause superficial candidiasis.The isolation rote of non-albicans Candida species is higher in adult patients than in child patients.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of fibrauretin injection against acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.Methods Seventy-two healthy male adult Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 goups:normal control group,LPS group (intratracheal instilation of 5 mg/kg of LPS),hydrocortisone group (intraperitoneal injection of 3.3 mg/kg of hydrocortisone,once daily for 3 days,and intratracheal instilation of 5 mg/kg of LPS on the 4th day) and low dose,medium dose and high dose of fibrauretin groups (intraperitoneal injection of 2,10 and 50 mg/kg of fibrauretin,respectively,once daily for 3 days,and intratracheal instilation of 5 mg/kg of LPS on the 4th day).The mice in each group were sacrificed by dislocation 24 h after intratracheal instilation of LPS.The lung tissues of partial mice in each group were extracted and weighed to calculate the lung coefficients,and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in partial mice in each group to collect the BALF for counting the inflammatory cells.Results The lung cofficients of mice in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P＜0.05).The lung cofficients of mice in hydrocortisone group,low dose,medium dose and high dose of fibrauretin groups were significantly lower than those in LPS group (P ＜ 0.05).For the percentage of inflammatory cells in BALF and the percentage of neutrophils in inflammatory cells,LPS group was significantly higher than the normal control group (P＜0.01),and compared with LPS group,hydrocortisone group,low dose,medium dose and high dose of fibrauretin groups were significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Conclusion Fibrauretin injection can significantly ameliorate the inflammatory reaction degree in mice with acute lung injury induced by LPS.

Background and purpose:Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is considered to be a special type of gastric cancer. Currently, the effect on AFPGC is not as good as the common AFP-
negative gastric cancer. Therefore, it is very important to explore clinicopathological features of AFPGC cancer, to improve diagnosis and individualized treatment. This study is to investigate the expressions of hepatocyte growth factor receptor c (c-Met), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) in the AFPGC.Methods:A total number of 44 cases of AFPGC (serum AFP≥10 μg/L) tissues were selected as a test group. There were 30 cases of serum AFP≥200 μg/L. This study collected 30 cases of gastric cancer with normal AFP and 30 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with increased AFP (serum AFP≥200 μg/L) as 2 control groups. The cases of the 3 groups had the same clinical stage basically. The expressions of c-Met, VEGF, EGFR and HER-2, CD34 were detected by immunohistochemistry (EnVision staining method). Tumor microvessel density (MVD) was calculated by marking CD34, and the results were analyzed. The clinicopathologic parameters were recorded accurately: gender, age, highest level of serum AFP, tumor differentiation, tumor stage, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, Lauren classiifcation, etc. These patients were followed up regularly. The clinical pathological features of AFPGC patients were investigated.Results:AFPGC clinical characteristics showed that, among 44 cases of AFPGC group, 86.36% (38/44) had lymph node metastasis, 54.55% (24/44) had hepatic metastasis, intestinal type was 36.36% (16/44), diffuse type was 56.82% (25/44), mixed type was 6.82% (3/44). The positive expression rates of c-Met protein in AFPGC, gastric cancer with normal AFP, hepatocellular carcinoma with increased AFP were 73.33% (22/30), 70.00% (21/30) and 53.33% (16/30), respectively. The positive expression rates of VEGF protein were 76.67% (23/30), 56.67% (17/30) and 66.67% (20/30), respectively. The positive expression rates of EGFR protein were 53.33% (16/30), 40.00% (12/30) and 73.33% (22/30), respectively. The “++ and +++” expression rates of HER-2 in AFPGC, gastric cancer with normal AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma with increased AFP were 38.64% (17/44), 23.33% (7/30) and 26.67% (7/30), respectively. The MVD values in AFPGC, gastric cancer with normal AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma with increased AFP were 23.03±10.24, 21.92±11.45 and 19.43±7.83, respectively. Compared with gastric cancer with normal AFP, expression of VEGF protein was signiifcantly higher in the AFPGC (P<0.05). Compared with hepatocellular carcinoma with increased AFP, the expression of c-Met protein was significantly higher in AFPGC (P<0.05).Conclusion:AFPGC is prone to lymph node metastasis and hepatic metastasis. The major part is the diffuse type in Lauren classiifcation. The positive expression rates of VEGF protein in AFPGC were signiifcantly higher than the gastric cancer with normal AFP. The positive expression rates of c-Met protein in AFPGC were signiifcantly higher than the hepatocellular carcinoma with AFP increased.

ObjectiveComparingfourgroupsofimmunosuppressivemousemodelsestablishedby cyclophosphamide administration in different doses and periods , we used partial least squares ( PLS) analysis to evaluate the immunosuppressive mouse models comprehensively and select the appropriate way to establish this model .Methods In this experimental study, 58 male KM mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal group (10 mice) were given normal saline daily by i.p.injection, model group 1 (12 mice) was given 40 mg/kg CTX daily by i.p.injection for 10 days, model group 2 (12 mice) was given 80 mg/kg CTX daily by i.p.injection for 3 days, model group 3 (12 mice) was given 40 mg/kg CTX daily by i.p.injection twice for a week, model group 4 (12 mice) was given 50 mg/kg CTX daily by i.p.injection for 7 days.After the injection of cyclophosphamide , the daily metabolic activities were detected everyday such as body weight , water intake , and food intake , organ index and immunological indexes such as blood RT of the model mice were measured as well .Using partial least squares ( PLS) analysis to the models and analyzing the final weight , final anal temperature , organ index , and blood routine examination in order to evaluate the immunosuppressive mouse models comprehensively .Results Compared with the normal group , different dosages of CTX reduced the weight and anal temperature of model mice (P<0.05), the food intake and water intake (P<0.01), and the spleen index and thymus index ( P<0.01 ) .Besides , the amount and percentage of basophilic granulocytes decreased ( P <0.05 ) , and the percentage of MCHC , macrophage went up , as well as the absolute value of WBC and lymphocytes were decreased in the model groups 1, 2, and 4 (P<0.05).According to the PLS analysis, there were significant differences among models 1, 2, and 4 when compared with the normal group , especially the most different in the model group 1.Conclusions After the PLS analysis of different indexes , the optimal way to establish immunosuppressive mouse models is the procedure with 40 mg/kg CTX daily injected i .p.for ten days .Our findings provide experimental evidence for the establishment of immunosuppressive mouse models .

Adult ; Aged ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; analysis ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Lymphokines ; analysis ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps ; chemistry ; etiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Objective To observe the effects of Yuanzhi San (YZS) on the ethology and cerebral acetylcholinesterase(AchE) activity of mouse model of memory disorder induced by scopolamine. Methods Sixty mice were randomly divided into six groups, namely blank control group, model group, positive medicine group, and low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose YZS groups. Except for the blank control group and model group were given the normal saline, the mice in other groups were administered with the corresponding drugs for 10 days. And then, mice in the medication groups were given subcutaneous injection of scopolamine in the dose of 3mg/kg to induce memory disorder model. Morris water maze test and step-down test were adopted for the observation of the learning-memory ability of the mice, and at the end of the tests, the activity of AchE in mouse cerebral cortex was measured by a biochemical method. Results Compared with the model group, escape latency was decreased, and retention time and swimming distance in the effective area in Morris water maze test were prolonged in YZS groups (P<0.05); latency in step-down test was also prolonged (P<0.05). YZS had an effect on decreasing AchE activity in the cerebral cortex of model mice (P < 0.05 compared with the model group). However, the differences were insignificant among the medication groups(P>0.05). Conclusion YZS exerts certain effect on improving learning-memory ability of memory disorder mice induced by scopolamine , and the mechanism might be related with the inhibition of AchE activity in the cerebral cortex of model mice.