Objective To develop a new type of gene vaccine against plague. Methods caf1 gene of caf Operon Encoding F1 Antigen of Y. pestis was inserted into pHSS6-mTn-3xHA/lacZ library plasmids, the recombinant plasmids were linearized with Not I and transformed into yeast cell by lithium acetate (LiAc) method to induce homologous recombination. Positive recombinants were then selected with uracil-lack medium. Results These recombinants were confirmed by colony PCR to have the target gene fragments. Conclusion The present study provided a platform for constructing a novel expression system for expressing Y. pestis F1 Antigen via homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which may contribute to the genetic prevention of plague through digestive-tract-route (DTR).

In order to evaluate the characteristics of the spray drying of total flavonoids of Epimedium extracts assisted with soybean polysaccharide, a certain percentage of soybean polysaccharide or polyvidone were added to the total flavonoids of Epimedium extract to conduct the spray drying. The effect of soybean polysaccharides against the wall sticking effect of the spray drying was detected, as well as the powder property of total flavonoids of Epimedium spray drying powder and the dissolution in vitro behavior of the effective component. Compared with the total flavonoids of Epimedium spray drying powder, soybean polysaccharide revealed a significant anti-wall sticking effect. The spray drying power which had no notable change in the grain size made a increase in the fluidity, improvement in the moisture absorption and remarkable rise in the dissolution in vitro behavior. It was worth further studying the application of soybean polysaccharide in spray drying power of traditional Chinese medicine.
Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Particle Size ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; Powders ; Soybeans ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopic endo-incision and drainage in the treatment of renal cysts.Methods Thirty cases(19 females and 11 males)of renal cysts(1 1 parapelvie cysts,15 simple cysts.and 4 multiple cysts)were treated with ureteroscopic endo-incision and drainage.The renal cysts were located in renal pelvis,and opened and decompressed by electrotme with ureteroscope.Double J stent was placed afterwards.Urinary and blood biochemistry were tested post-operatively.Results All the operations were successfully completed with no severe complication.The cyst managing time ranged from 15 tO 45 min.Urinary biochemistry(urinary protein and glucose)turned normal 1 2 days after the surgery.Patients were followed up for 3 to 9 months.Renal cysts disappeared in 24 cases,diminished in 4 cases,and recurred in 2 cases.Conclusion Application of ureteroscopic technique in the treatment of renal cyst is safe,effective and minimally invasive.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of posterior fixation with 3.5-mm pedicle screws in the atlantoaxial vertebrae of children.

METHODSIn this study, atlantoaxial vertebrae specimens were obtained from 10 cadavers of children aged 6-8 years. We measured the height and width of the C(1) pedicle and the midportion of C(1) lateral mass; the width of C(1) posterior arch under the vertebral artery groove and the height of the external and internal one-third of this part; the external, internal height and the superior, middle, inferior width of the C(2) pedicle (transverse foramen). Furthermore, computed tomography (CT) axial scan was performed on 20 age-matched volunteers to obtain relative data of their atlantoaxial vertebrae. We measured the length and width of the C(1) and C(2) pedicles in the atlantoaxial cross-sectional plane. On CT workstation, we also measured the angles between the longitudinal axes of the atlantoaxial pedicles and the midsagittal plane.

RESULTSFor the cadaveric specimen group, the height and width of the C1 pedicle were (5.26+/-0.44) mm and (6.26+/-0.75) mm respectively. The height of the medial one-third of the C1 posterior arch under the vertebral artery groove was (4.07+/-0.24) mm. The external, internal height and superior, middle, inferior width of the C2 pedicle was (6.86+/-0.48) mm, (6.67+/-0.49) mm, (6.63+/-0.61) mm, (5.41+/-0.39) mm and (3.71+/-0.30) mm, respectively. For the volunteer group measured by CT scan, the height and width of the C(1) pedicle were (5.47+/-0.34) mm and (6.63+/-0.54) mm respectively, while (6.59+/-0.51) mm and (5.13+/-0.42) mm of the C2 pedicle. The angles between the atlas, axis pedicles and the midsagittal plane were (9.60+/-1.32) degree and (27.80+/-2.22) degree respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to place a 3.5-mm pedicle screw in the C(1) and C(2) pedicles of children aged 6-8 years old.

Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Atlas ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Child ; Humans ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo establish a primary culture method of rat testis Leydig cell.

METHODSThe primary rat Leydig cells were treated with or without 4 U/ml human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and testosterone in culture medium was detected by radioimmunoassay. The morphology and biological characteristics of Leydig cell were observed.

RESULTSThe culture cells were highly homogeneous, proliferative and had a high differentiation rate. The high purified Leydig cells were verified by their dynamic morphological changes and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta4-delta5 isomerase (3beta-HSD) histochemical staining. The testosterone secretion induced by hCG significantly increased (P < 0.05) 24 hours after inoculation than that induced without hCG in the control.

CONCLUSIONIt suggests that the Leydig cell cultured in vitro may secrete high concentration of testosterone, and this study laid the basis of androgen replacement therapy for partial androgen deficiency in aging male.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of stem cell transcription factor Oct-4 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and seborrheic keratosis (SK) and its association with cancer stem cells.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect Oct-4 expression in 35 SCC cases, 21 SK cases and 15 normal control skin tissues.

RESULTSOct-4 expression was negative in normal skin and showed a significant difference between SCC and SK tissues (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Oct-4-positive cells in SCC and SK are probably tumor stem cells. Oct-4 expression may provide an important evidence for isolation and identification of human SCC and SK stem cells.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

Incorrect drug administration, lack of sexual stimulation, the way of obtaining sildenafil and associating risk factors of erectile dysfunction like severe cardiovascular or neurogenic diseases were the common causes of initial sidenafil failure. To improve the therapeutic efficacy for patients with initial sidenafil failure, education about how to use sildenafil properly plays an important role. Moreover, dose titration, more attempts, a good follow-up and sildenafil taking on a daily basis will yield a high response rate to sildenafil rechallenge.
Adult ; Aged ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Education as Topic ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Purines ; therapeutic use ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo obtain a simple and effective method to isolate and purify adult Leydig cells.

METHODSThe testes of human adults were digested and then the density gradient centrifugation of the cells was performed with four different Percoll concentrations (60%, 34%, 26%, 21%) to isolate Leydig cells, whose characteristics were identified by cytological observation staining, 3beta-HSD staining and detection of hCG and testosterone secretion.

RESULTSHigh-concentration (> 90%) purified Leydig cells were acquired, and many identification experiments demonstrated the adequate testosterone secretory function of the isolated and purified Leydig cells.

CONCLUSIONThis method is easy and efficient for the isolation and purification of adult Leydig cells.

Adult ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Povidone ; Silicon Dioxide ; Testosterone ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo research the changes in microscopic characteristics and ability of secreting testosterone between aged SD rat Leydig cells and young SD rat Leydig cells.

METHODSThe total and free serum testosterone levels of serum both young and aged rats were examined. The changes in microscopic characteristics between young and aged rat Leydig cells were observed under microscope and electron microscope. The testosterone secreted by cultured Leydig cells of stimulated by hCG and Forskolin both groups were detected.

RESULTSA significant difference was found in both total and free testosterone levels between young and old rats (P < 0.05). Aged SD rat Leydig cells were observed smaller in volume and more markedly stained than young ones; The secretion ability of aged rat Leydig cells was found lower than that of young rat Leydig cells with or without hCG and Forskolin stimulation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe secreting index of aged SD rat Leydig cells is lower than that of young rat Leydig cells both in vivo and vitro, and the reason is the system of synthesizing testosterone is arrested.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Leydig Cells ; pathology ; secretion ; Male ; Progesterone ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo study the hypoglycemic effect of the total flavonoids in Leucaena seeds(TF).

METHODExperimental observation was performed by using various diabetic mice induced by alloxan, adrenalin, etc.

RESULTTF could significantly lower the blood glucose levels in Alloxan model mice, adrenalin model mice and hyperglycemic mice, while had no hypoglycemic effect on the normal mice.

CONCLUSIONThe total flavonoids in Leucaena seeds has hypoglycemic effect in diabetic model mice.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; Epinephrine ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hyperglycemia ; blood ; chemically induced ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry