Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of cognitive impairment in older people. With the aging of society is more and more serious, AD caused great burden to patients and society. A β is a classical biomarker of AD, which has been widely used in clinical diagnosis of AD patients. Compared with positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), near infrared fluorescence imaging has many advantages including highly sensitive, non-invasive, safety and inexpensive. Therefore, many research groups have focused on developing the molecular probes of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging. In this article, we will review the progress of the probes of NIRF.
Alzheimer Disease ; diagnosis ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; analysis ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Molecular Probes ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

China ; epidemiology ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; Dengue Virus ; Humans

Objective To explore the iodine nutrition level of people, prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders and the thyroid function of women of childbearing age in pasturing areas of Tibet. Methods Thirty families were selected respectively in pastoral Dangxiong county and agricultural Qushui county of Lhasa in 2009,drinking water and edible salt samples were collected to test iodine content; at least 50 people from each crowd of the following populations including children aged 8 - 10, women of childbearing age of 18 - 49 old and male adults aged 18 - 60 were randomly sampled and to measure their urinary iodine content and for thyroid palpation. Direct titrimetric method was used to test salt iodine(GB/T 13025.7-1999); As3+-Ce4+ oxidation reduction process to test water iodine (GB/T 5750.1-2006); As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry using ammonium persulfate digestion to test urine iodine(WS/T 107-2006), and goiter examination was based on Diagnostic and Classificatory Criteria of Endemic Goiter (WS 276-2007). Results The median of water iodine was 1.3 μg/L in pasturing area and 0.7 μg/L in agricultural areas, there was no statistical significant difference between them(Z =- 1.809, P ＞ 0.05).There was no iodized salt used in pastoral people, but iodized salt coverage rate was 90.0％(27/30) in agricultural residents. The median of urinary iodine among people of pasturing areas was 50.2 μg/L, lower than that of agricultural areas( 193.2 μg/L, Z =- 10.48, P ＜ 0.01 ). However, the goiter rate in pasturing area[1.0％(1/100)]was significantly lower than that of agricultural areas[18.0％(18/100) , x2 =16.8, P ＜ 0.01]. Serum level of FT4 and TT4 in pastoral population[(14.0 ± 2.0)pmol/L, (85.6 ± 17.5)nmol/L] was significantly lower than that of agricultural areas[(16.2 ± 6.3)pmol/L, (95.4 ± 21.1)nmoL/L, t =- 2.06, - 2.20, all P ＜ 0.05]. The thyroid dysfunction rate[5.9％ (2/34)]and subclinical hypothyroidism rate[2.9％ (1/34)]in pastoral population was significantly lower than that of agricultural areas[25.5％(12/47), 21.3％(10/47), x2 =5.328, 5.651, all P ＜ 0.05]. Conclusions Pastoral areas of iodine intake is significantly lower than the agricultural areas, urinary iodine levels reflect a serious iodine deficiency in pastoral people, but the blood biochemical and urinary iodine and goiter rate does not match,and shows hidden iodine hunger, which does not constitute a goiter epidemic.

The protoplasts of original Aspergillus niger strain Uco-3 were treated with the cooperation of UV and ?-ray to obtain the high-yielding strain producing the thermostable ?-galactosidase. Under the optimum conditions of formation and regeneration protoplasts were prepared. According to the interaction of positive mutation rate and radiation dose,the optimum condition was determined. The optimum dose of UV was 4 minutes and the optimum dose of ?-ray was 500 Gy. After mutagenetic treatment of protoplasts and selection from a lot of mutants,a mutant DL116 producing the thermostable ?-galactosidase was obtained. The ?-galactosidase activity of DL116 was increased from 16.27 U/mL to 44.37 U/mL,which was higher than that of strain Uco-3.

To explore the possibility of prokaryotic expression of human hepatic stimulator substance (hHSS), hHSS gene was inserted in the downstream of glutathion S-transferase (GST) in a pET-42a expression vector and recombinant GST-hHSS fusion protein was expressed under IPTG induction in BL-21(DE3) cells. The recombinant HSS was purified with His.Tag affinity chromatography, and its bioactivity was analyzed. The results showed that GST-hHSS fusion protein was expressed both as a soluble or a inclusive body in bacterial cytosol. The soluble GST-hHSS expression reached up to 30% of the whole soluble protein of bacteria as determined by densitometry. The cleavage of GST-hHSS fusion protein with Factor Xa produced two fragments of the protein, which sized 33 and 15 kD, respectively. The molecular weight of recombinant HSS protein was identical to theoretical deduction based on the DNA sequences. The protein homology of 15 kD hHSS could be efficiently eluted out after Factor Xa cleavage. It is further indicated that the recombinant hHSS is able to proliferate hepatoma cells of BEL-7402 in the preliminary experiments.
Cell Division ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Growth Substances ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Peptides ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a rate-limiting enzyme in heme metabolism, has been recently defined as a novel stress-stimulated protein, since the intracellular expression of HO-1 in response to various stimuli as oxidation, ischemia and endotoxin injury has been proved to be able to protect the cells from damage. In this study, a retroviral vector containing human HO-1 gene was constructed and transfected to rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Using Southern and Northern blot analyses, the integration and mRNA expression of HO-1 gene in the transfected cells were confirmed. The profound protein expression of HO-1 as well as HO enzyme activity in the transfected cells increased by 1.8-fold and 2.0-fold respectively as compared with the non-transfected cells. It was found that the HO-1 transfected-VSMCs presented dominant resistance to toxicity produced by exposure to H2O2, as a significant protective effect of HO-1 marked by cell survival and LDH leakage was observed when 200, 400 and 600 micromol/L of H2O2 were used. The protection of HO-1 rapidly declined after the transfected-VSMCs were pretreated 24 h with an HO-1 specific inhibitor (ZnPP-IX). The results of this investigation suggest that the functional expression of HO-1 gene within VSMCs raises an alternative ability to protect the vascular cells against active oxygen injury.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiology ; Oxidants ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To improve the processing protocol of the frozen erythrocyte ( RBC) washing machine of the dialysis type to enhance its efficiency of treating the 2 U frozen RBCs .Methods The frozen RBC washing machine for dialysis was used to deglycerolize the 2 U frozen RBCs after thawing .Measures including adjustment of the Pump speed , washing buffer adding and solution osmolarity were taken to decrease the processing time .Hemoglobin(Hb) content, Hb recovery, residual glycerol, free Hb content, deforming ability, and apoptosis of the deglycerolized RBCs were assessed to evaluate the efficiency of the improved protocol .Results As for the cells processed respectively by the previous and improved protocols, contents of Hb were (35.03 ±4.20) g and (53.82 ±2.08) g, respectively; Hb recoveries were (61.10 ±8.46)% and (80.22 ±3.73)%,respectively.Osmolarities representing residual glycerol were (307.00 ± 14.50)mOsm and (322.00 ±29.00)mOsm.Free Hb values were (0.74 ±0.04) and (0.80 ±0.08)g/L.The processing time was (1.64 ±0.31) and (1.04 ±0.16) h,respectively.There were significant differences in Hb content , Hb recovery, and deforming ability between the cells processed by the two protocols respectively .However , there were no significant changes in glycerol contents , free Hb, and apoptosis extent between the cells processed by the two protocols .Conclusion The innovated protocol can improve the quality of washed frozen RBCs , decrease the processing time and enhance the efficiency of the machine.

BackgroundIt is important to measure the corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length accurately for calculating IOL power. The interchange outcomes from different measuring methods and apparatus will cause unreliable IOL power. ObjectiveThe present study was to compare the differences of corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD) measured by IOLMaster and Orbscan Ⅱbefore and after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) and further compare the axial length measured by IOLMaster and A-ultrasound. Methods One hundred and thirty eyes from 65 consecutive myopic patients before LASIK and 56 eyes of 28 cases with 1-month follow-up duration after LASIK in Henan Eye Institute were enrolled in this study. The K value, ACD between IOLMaster and Orbscan Ⅱ as well as results of axial length between IOLMaster and A-ultrasound were compared by using paired t test. The agreements of the measured values among IOLMaster, Orbscan Ⅱ and A-ultrasound were evaluated using Bland-Altman plot. ResultsBefore LASIK,the K value measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ were ( 43.32 ± 1.52 ) D and ( 42.99 ± 1.45 ) D respectively with the difference value of( 0. 33 ±0. 03 ) D, showing a significant difference(t=10. 380,P=0.000) and a positive relation between them(r=0.971,P=0.000). After LASIK,the K value measured by IOLMaster, Orbscan Ⅱwere(39. 02±2. 14) D and ( 38.91 ±2. 04) D with the difference value (0. 12±0. 33 ) D, presenting a significant differences between them (t =2.715, P =0.009). Bland-Altman plots indicated the disagreement in K value and uninterchangeable. Before LASIK, the ACD measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ and A-ultrasound were ( 3.72 ± 0. 22 ) mm, ( 3.69 ±0. 22 ) mm and ( 3.75± 0.27 )mm respectively and no significant differences were found between them (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Axial length measured by IOLMaster significantly prolonged in comparison with A-ultrasound(25.59± 1. 01 mm vs 25.22±0.99 mm ) , and the difference was( -0. 37 ±0. 30 ) mm, showing significant difference ( t =- 14. 098, P =0. 000 ) and positive correlation ( r =0. 954, P =0. 000 ). Axial length values measured by IOLMaster were ( 25.54 ± 1.05 ) mm in preoperation and ( 25.48 ± 1.01 ) mm in postoperation with the difference (0.052±0. 412)mm, showing statistically insignificant difference between them (t=0. 946,P=0. 348). ConclusionsKeratometries measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ are much more different. Therefore,these two methods are not recommended to use interchangely. ACD measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ and A ultrasound are proved to obtain the similar results and is clinically interchange. Axial length measured by IOLMaster is longer than that measured by A-ultrasound.

Objective To master the level of iodine nutrition among population in Jiangxi province,and to provide a scientific basis for establishing the strategy for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).Methods Retrospective method was adopted to analyze the goiter rate and frequency distribution of urinary iodine of children aged 8-10,the qualified rate of iodized salt,the coverage rate of iodized salt and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in residents of Jiangxi province from 1995 to 2010.The method of correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between goiter rate of children (by palpation) and the qualified rate of iodized salt,iodized salt coverage rate and residents consumption rate of qualified iodized salt.Results The goiter rates (measured by the method of palpation) of children aged 8-10 were down from 40.17％(482/1200) in 1995 to 0.80％(16/2000) in 2010(x2 =4.864,P＜ 0.05).The median of urinary iodine of children was higher than 200 μg/L; the proportion of people whose urinary iodine content higher than 300 μg/L was above 25.00％ and the highest propoaion was up to 58.01％ (210/362) between 1995-2010.The minimum median of salt iodine was 17.77 mg/kg in 1995,and 29.30-39.10 mg/kg in other years.The qualified rates of iodized salt,the iodized salt coverage rates and the consumption rates of qualified iodized salt increased from 43.58％(452/1037),86.42％(1037/1200) and 37.67％(452/1200) in 1995 to 97.95％ (1916/1956),99.95％(1956/1957) and 97.90％(1916/1957) in 2010,respectively; there was a growth trend over the years(x2 =5.240,6.118,5.631,all P ＜ 0.05).The goiter rates of children were related to the qualified rates of iodized salt,the iodized salt coverage rates and the consumption rates of qualified iodized salt,and the correlation coefficient(r) was-0.833,-0.881 and-0.918 (all P ＜ 0.05),respectively.Conclusions The level of iodine nutrition among residents in Jiangxi province has already gone beyond the appropriate level,and the iodine concentration in salt should be cut to ensure the appropriate iodine nutrition level among people.

BACKGROUNDCurcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has recently been reported to have anticonvulsant effects in several animal models of epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on the pilocarpine rat model of status epilepticus.

METHODSThe effect of intraperitoneal administration of curcumin (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) on pilocarpine-induced seizures in rats was tested. The correlation between seizure activity and hippocampal levels of nitric oxide synthase and free radicals was quantified. Whether curcumin treatment modulated these parameters was also investigated.

RESULTSCurcumin significantly increased seizure threshold at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. Rats with pilocarpine- induced seizures showed significantly elevated levels of malonaldehyde, nitric oxide synthase, and lactate dehydrogenase, but decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione compared with normal control rats. At doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, curcumin reversed the effects of pilocarpine-induced seizures on nitric oxide synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. However, curcumin did not restore the elevated malonaldehyde levels.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin has anticonvulsant activity in the pilocarpine rat model of seizures, and that modulation of free radicals and nitric oxide synthase may be involved in this effect.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Curcumin ; therapeutic use ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pilocarpine ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism