The biochemical mechanism of degrading keratins by S.fradiae var S-221 was primarily studied.The compounds (Na_ 2 SO_ 4 , Na_ 2 SO_ 3 and sulfdryl acohol), which respecitively enhance specific activity of keratinase, activate keratinase intensively and mainly act on the disulfide bonds reductase in the keratinase, Na_ 2 SO_ 3 activates intensively both disulfide bonds reductase and polypeptide hydrolytase at 0.01 mol/L, whereas Na_ 2 S_ 2 O_ 3 , which acts on the disulfide bonds reductase, inhibits keratinase.On the condition that substrate, keratins exists, S.fradiae var S-221 is induced to produce exo-keratinase, which is a multiproteinase, containing disulfide bonds reductase, which is a key enzyme degrading keratins, then, with polypeptidic, hydrolytase, graduately hydrolyzates denatured keratins into polypeptides, oligopeptides and free amino acids, so that keratins have been decomposed completely.Sulfur in the keratins was transferred into sulfhydryl compounds, H_ 2 S and sulfates in the course of keratinolysine.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between impaired fasting glucose and the extent and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease( CAD ) in patients who underwent coronary angiography.Methods A total of 630 consecutivc patients who underwent coronary angiography were selected in the stndy.The extent and severity of angiographic CAD were diagnosed based on the followings:whether or not with CAD diagnosis by angiography,the number of diseased vessels,the CAD Gensini cumulative index.According to fasting plasma glucose ( FPG),all patients were divided into three group,group 1 ( FPG ＜5.6 mmol/L),group 2 ( 5.6 mmol/L ≤ FPC ＜ 6.1 mmol/L) and group 3 ( 6.1 mmol/L ≤ FPG ＜ 7.0mmol/L).The CHD risk factors and the lesion degree of coronary arteries were compared among three groups.The relation of FPG and CAD were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results The incidence of CH and,the CAD Gensini cumulative index and the incidence of mult-vessel lesions were significantly different among the three subgroups ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).After adjusting other inffluencing factors,there were significantly positive correlation between the number of diseased vessels and the CAD Gensini cumulative index and FPG( P ＜0.05).The FPG had significant correlation with the diagnosis or not of CAD by angiography( OR =3.042,95％ CI:2.589 -6.275,P ＜0.01).Conclusions In prediabetic period,the extent and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease have significant correlations with the impaired fasting glucose,and the extent and severity can increase along with the increasing FPG.

Objective To investigate the optimal concentration and site for ozoneadministration to relieve neuropathic pain in rats. Methods Twenty-four adult male rats with sciaticnerve injury (SNI) were randomized equally into 4 groups, and received ozone injections for analgesia atdifferent sites, namely the operative site, the sciatic nerve, the L5 spinal nerve or the operative site inaddition to the L5 spinal nerve. Another 4 groups of rats with SNI (n=6) had ozone injections at theconcentrations of 40, 50, 60, or 70 μg/mL, all administered at both the operative site and the L5 spinalnerve. The analgesic effects of the ozone injections were evaluated using paw withdrawal threshold test inall the rats. Results In rats with ozone injection at both the operative field and the L5 spinal nerve, themechanical pain threshold was significantly increased in comparison with that in rats with injections atother sites (P<0.05), but different doses of ozone simultaneously injected at the two sites did not producesignificant differences in the pain threshold (P>0.05). Conclusion Ozone produces obvious analgesiceffects in rats with SNI-induced neuropathic pain when injected at both the operative site and thespinal nerve, and ozone within the concentration range from 40 to 70 μg/mL has similar analgesic effect.

Bronchi ; abnormalities ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; methods ; Pulmonary Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Trachea ; abnormalities

Sweetpotato starch thermal properties and its noodle quality were analyzed using a rapid predictive method based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This method was established based on a total of 93 sweetpotato genotypes with diverse genetic background. Starch samples were scanned by NIRS and analyzed for quality properties by reference methods. Results of statistical modelling indicated that NIRS was reasonably accurate in predicting gelatinization onset temperature (T(o)) (standard error of prediction SEP=2.014 degrees C, coefficient of determination RSQ=0.85), gelatinization peak temperature (T(p)) (SEP=1.371 degrees C, RSQ=0.89), gelatinization temperature range (T(r)) (SEP=2.234 degrees C, RSQ=0.86), and cooling resistance (CR) (SEP=0.528, RSQ=0.89). Gelatinization completion temperature (T(c)), enthalpy of gelatinization (DeltaH), cooling loss (CL) and swelling degree (SWD), were modelled less well with RSQ between 0.63 and 0.84. The present results suggested that the NIRS based method was sufficiently accurate and practical for routine analysis of sweetpotato starch and its noodle quality.
Food Technology ; methods ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Starch ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the presence of HBV mutant in vaccinees simply reflects the prevalence of HBV mutant in a specific geographic area or is indeed due to the immune pressure induced by vaccination.

METHODSHBV S genes were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis of the "a" determinant was performed on sera from 30 childhood patients with immunoprophylaxis and 30 patients without vaccinations.

RESULTSMutations of the "a" determinant were detected in 8 of the 60 patients. They were all of the adw subtype. The prevalence of amino acid substitutions as detected by direct sequencing was higher in those fully-vaccinated than of those not vaccinated. In all 8 vaccinated and also with detectable mutants, the mean age was older than the other vaccinated children.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of mutants is related to HBV subtypes and genotypes. Universal vaccination has accelerated an accumulation of HBsAg "a" determinant mutants with amino acid changes critical for immune escape in vaccinated children who became carriers. This suggests that new vaccination strategies should be considered.

Child ; China ; Epitopes ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Point Mutation ; Vaccination

AIMStudies on synthesis and antibacterial activity of new heterocycles.

METHODSThe cyclocondensation of [(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl] thio acetic acid with various aroyl hydrazines in the presence of POCl3 and xylene gave the corresponding titled compounds, and the in vitro antibacterial activity was primarily evaluated by the method of cupplate diffusion solution.

RESULTSSixteen novel titled compounds were synthesized, their structures were confirmed by IR, 1HNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Biological screening results demonstrated that most of the compounds prepared displayed potential antibacterial activity.

CONCLUSIONOxadiazoles incorporting pyridyl oxadiazole ring may be usefully antibacterial candidate drugs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Oxadiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Proteus vulgaris ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of micrometastasis in levels lII - IV of clinical negative neck (cN0) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of oral tongue, and to discuss the management of cervical lymph node for cN0 tongue SCC.

METHODSA total of 471 cervical lymph nodes derived from 25 patients with cN0 tongue SCC, including 263 lymph nodes in level III and 208 lymph nodes in level IV, were included in this study. All lymph nodes were re-examined by anti-cytokeratin (CK) immunohistochemical staining combined with semi-serial section per 500 microm.

RESULTSAmong the 25 cases, seven patients were confirmed harboring metastasis in 11 lymph nodes of level III, and no positive lymph node in level IV was detected by routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. 11 positive lymph nodes in level IIl, which confirmed by HE staining, were also detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK combined with semiserial section. Among the 460 cervical lymph nodes in which HE staining did not show metastasis, only one lymph node in level III harboring a 2.0 mm x 1.5 mm micrometastasis was detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK, and no positive lymph node in level IV was detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of occult metastasis in level IV was very low, so it seemed unnecessary to dissect level IV for all patients with cN0 tongue SCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis ; Tongue ; Tongue Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo study the value of high-frequency electrocautery combined with high-pressure balloon expansion in the treatment of benign airway obstruction.

METHODSTwelve patients with complete airway obstruction received treatment with high-frequency electrocautery and high-pressure balloon expansion, and 6 months of follow-up was performed.

RESULTSAfter the initial treatment, the rate of airway obstruction relief exceeded 50% in 8 patients, who showed lung recruitment and an increased dyspnea index, suggesting total effectiveness; one patient showed mild improvement with airway stenosis relief by less than 50% (the upper-left lobe remained obstructed). Stents were implanted eventually in 7 patients for airway maintenance. Two patients showed relief of the airway obstruction by over 50% after the initial treatment, but lung recruitment or dyspnea relief failed to be achieved, suggesting non-response to the treatment. The airway failed to be found in 1 case (who received 5 previous operations of ablation and dilatation), which was considered a non-response case.

CONCLUSIONHigh-frequency electrocautery combined with high pressure balloon expansion is clinically effective with few complications in some cases of benign complete airway stenosis. The possibility of airway stenosis and even obstruction should be considered in patients with tuberculosis during the treatment.

Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; surgery ; therapy ; Bronchoscopy ; methods ; Catheterization ; methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of colon cancer TH-29 cells and to explore its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSPhorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the activity of SphK1 and N, N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) was used to suppress the activity of SphK1. Cell prolieration and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The migration and invasion capabilities of the cells were assessed in Transwell chambers. The activity of SphK1 was assayed by autoradiography. Western blot was used to evaluate the protein expression of SphK1, p38, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) and SAPK/JNK.

RESULTSPMA and DMS were able to induce and suppress the activity and protein expression of SphK1 in a time-dependent manner, respectively. PMA enhanced and DMS suppressed the cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Being treated with 100 nmol/L PMA or 50 µmol/L DMS for 0, 6, 12, 24 h, the cell apoptosis rates of PMA group were (9.35 ± 0.84)%, (7.61 ± 0.48)%, (5.53 ± 0.76)% and (0.56 ± 0.33)%, contrastly, that of DMS group were (9.18 ± 0.94)%, (12.06 ± 1.41)%, (19.80 ± 2.36)% and (31.85 ± 3.60)%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the cell migration and invasion capabilities of the PMA group were significantly enhanced, and that of the DMS group were significantly suppressed. The migration cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 68.75 ± 6.15, 109.33 ± 11.63 and 10.83 ± 2.48, the invasion cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 55.42 ± 4.50, 90.58 ± 7.06 and 9.58 ± 2.39, respectively. With the elevating activity and expression of SphK1, the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were strikingly suppressed. On the contrary, after treating with DMS the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSSphK1 potently enhances the prolieration, migration and invasion of colon cancer HT-29 cells, meanwhile suppresses the cell apoptosis. The suppressing of the p38 and SAPK/JNK signalling pathways may be one of its molecular mechanisms.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinogens ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sphingosine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Time Factors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism