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).

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.

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

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 observe the incidence, causes and deviation angle of axial offset in patients with fracture ununited treated by Ilizarov bone transport technology.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to December 2012, 10 patients with fracture ununited were treated by Ilizarov bone transport including 8 males and 2 females with an average age of (30.3 ± 10.6) years old ranging from 18 to 49 years old. The segment of bone defect involved upper tibial in 2 cases, medial tibia in 2 cases, lower tibial in 5 cases, upper femoral in 1 case. For Paley type of bone defect, 6 cases were type B1, 4 cases were B3. The incidence and deviation angle of axial offset after Ilizarov bone transport technology were observed and evaluated on bone result by Paley assessment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 19 to 32 months with an average of (22.0 ± 5.6) months. Three cases were natural healed at fracture ends, the other 7 cases were healed after bone graft. The time of external fixator was 16 to 28 months. At the last follow-up, there were 3 cases occurred coronal angulation of angle 5° to 11° with an average of (8.7 ± 3.2). Sagittal angulation was in 4 cases, angle 6° to 9° with an average of (8.5 ± 2.1)°. There were 4 cases occurred axial offset. In the last follow-up, according to Paley evaluation criteria, osseous results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 3 cases; functional results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONAxial deviation after the Ilizarov bone transport treatment is relatively common, which will result in delayed healing of bone and poor limb alignment. In order to improve the bone healing, corresponding measurements should be taken to avoid or reduce the incidence of axial deviation during and after the operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Feiyanning Recipe's (FR) components on the microvessel density (MVD), the mRNA and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in Lewis tumors loaded in C57BL/6 mice.

METHODSC57BL/6 Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established. Mice were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the model group, the FR group, the qi benefiting group, the Shen-tonifying group, and the anti-cancer group. The mice were killed on the 22nd day after 21-day gastrogavage. Tumors were extracted. The MVD of Lewis tumor was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. The mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and SP method.

RESULTSCompared with the model group and the qi benefiting group, the MVD was significantly reduced in the FR group, the Shen-tonifying group, and the anti-cancer group (P<0.01, P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the qi benefiting group and the model group (P>0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-2 in the FR group, the Shen-tonifying group, and the anti-cancer group were also significantly less than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the same time the expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the Shen-tonifying group and the anti-cancer group was also less than that in the qi benefiting group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-9 in the FR group, the Shen-tonifying group, and the anti-cancer group were significantly lower than those in the model group and the qi benefiting group (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe target for Shen-tonifying and anti-cancer Chinese herbs to inhibit tumor angiogenesis might be correlated with restraining expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and protecting tumor microenvironment.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of transurethral resection of ejaculatory ducts (TURED) for azoospermia with ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO).

METHODSFrom June 2003 to December 2004, 20 azoospermia with EDO were diagnosed, diagnostic criteria included a history, physical examination, semen analyses, semen fructose measurement, endocrine assessment, testicular biopsy and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS); All 20 cases were treated by TURED. Fifteen of them were followed up more than 3 months after the treatment. The semen samples of them were analysed at 3-month intervals in post-therapy.

RESULTSSemen analyses in all 20 cases showed the typical characteristics of EDO, low semen volume (0.4-1.6 ml), azoospermia, low pH, absent or low semen fructose. TRUS showed the main etiology factor of EDO was a midline cyst in 11, lateral cystic lesions in 2, the remaining 7 cases had dilated ejaculatory duct with or without dilated seminal vesicles. Among 15 cases followed up more than 3 months after TURED, 10/15 (67%) had an improvement in semen parameters and 3/15 (20%) had pregnancies. Semen analyses had not been done in anther 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral resection of ejaculatory ducts may be a safe and effective method for the treatment of azoospermia with EDO.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Electrosurgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; Ultrasonography

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 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