Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the characteristics of dipyridamole 201 Tl myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) SPECT in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods Thirty patients with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent pharmacological stress 201Tl MPI SPECT after intravenous infusion of dipyridamole (0. 56 mg/kg) for 4 min. The early and delayed SPECT images were acquired respectively at 10 and 240 min after 201Tl injection. The images were analyzed and reported by two or three experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Results All patients were found to have abnormal perfusion patterns at delay imaging, however 90.00% (27/30) were also abnormal at early images. Six patients had reverse redistribution. Conclusion Dipyridamole 201Tl MPI SPECT imaging may be of some value for the assessment of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective To investigate whether a novel long-acting tumor necrotic factor (TNF) antagonist (soluble TNF receptor:IgG Fc [sTNFR:IgG-Fc]) can protect hepatocyte damage against liver failure caused by drugs in immunity-induced cirrhotic rats.Methods Wistar rats were repeatedly sensitized by human serum albumin (HSA) emulsified in complete freud adjuvant.The blood was collected at day 10 after the final sensitization.If anti-albumin antibody was positive,the rats were intravenously injected with HSA twice a week.After six weeks,liver cirrhosis was induced by immunity.All the model rats were divided into three groups with 15 each.Liver failure was induced with D-galactosamine/ lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneal injection in the rats with liver cirrhosis in model group.The rats in pretreatment group were intraperitoneally injected with long-acting soluble TNF receptor p55 18 h before D-galactosamine/LPS injection.The control group were injected with 0.9％ sodium chloride.General condition,survival rate,liver function and pathological changes were all examined.Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6,IL-22 and intrahepatic level of IL-6 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The activity of Caspase 3 in hepatocyte lysis solution was measured by spectrophotography.Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mRNA expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),bcl-2,bax and IL-22 receptor.Data were analyzed by variance analysis among groups.Results Rats in model group were dispirited with poor response after 12 hours and only 3 survived,compared with soluble TNF receptor p55 pre-treated group rats,in which all survived (P=0.029 8) with flexible response.Serum alanine aminotransferase levels in these two groups were (6 533± 360) and (105 ± 7) U/L,respectively.Hepatic regenerative nodule developed massive or submassive necrosis with septal fibrosis in model group,whereas soluble TNF receptor p55 alleviated the inflammatory and necrosis reaction of hepatic tissue.Serum IL-6 levels in model group and pretreatment group were (842.0±12.9) and (91.9±1.6) pg/mL,respectively (F=380.30,P＜0.01).Intrahepatic levels of IL-6 in these two groups were (26.2±1.2) and (11.1±0.8) pg/mL,respectively (F=176.90,P＜0.01),and serum IL-22 levels were (167.0±27.8) and (988.0±109.6) pg/mL,respectively (F=37.91,P＜0.01).Hepatic Caspase-3 activity was reduced by almost 60％ by soluble TNF receptor p55 pretreatment (F=303.70,P＜0.01) and bax expression reduced by 22％ (F=108.80,P＜0.01),while bcl-2 and PCNA expressions were up-regulated by 3.6-folds and 23.0-folds,respectively (F=115.60,P＜0.01; F=594.20,P＜0.01).Conclusions Long acting soluble TNF receptor p55 could improve survival rate,liver function and reduce inflammatory reaction of rats with liver failure induced by drugs on the basis of liver cirrhosis caused by immunity,which indicates that this drug may process a potential therapeutic value.

The genomes of umbraviruses do not encode a coat protein, and thus no conventional virus particles are formed in infected plants. Umbraviruses are always coinfected with an assistor virus, which is always a member of the family Luteoviridae, to cause most devastating diseases in some areas. The epidemiology of the umbra-virus-caused disease is largely depended on aphid transmission. The symptomology, occurrence, characteristics of the causal agents, disease control of carrot motley dwarf, groundnut rosette and tobacco bushy top were reviewed detailedly in this article.

Objective To construct the Neisseria surface protein A (NspA) DNA vaccine of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by this vaccine in mice model.Methods The recombinant expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+)/NspA was constructed by inserting NspA gene into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+) and confirmed by poly merase chain reaction (PCR),restriction enzymes HindⅢ,XbaⅠand DNA sequencing.NspA mR- NA in transfected RAW264.7 cells and NspA protein expression in transfected COS-7 cells were de- tected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical stai- ning,respectively.Forty-five male BALB/c mice were immunized with pcDNA3.1 (+)/NspA recom binant plasmid.The level of serum anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae antibody of the immunized mice was detected by tube agglutination test,and the level of interieron (IFN)-?was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The proliferation of splenocytes was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colormetry.The NspA gene in BALB/c mice was identified by PCR with the total DNA extracted from quadriceps femoris in immunized sites.Results Restriction enzymes digestion a- nalysis and DNA sequencing results revealed that the pcDNA3.1 (+)/NspA had been constructed successfully.NspA gene had been transcripted and expressed in mammalian cells.The peak titer of specific antibody was 1:640 in pcDNA3.1(+)/NspA immunized group and there was no specific an- tibody detected in both pcDNA3.1 (+) immunized group and PBS group.The IFN-?level in pcD NA3.1 (+) immunized group was (23.79?11.85)pg/mL and that in pcDNA3.1 (+)/NspA immu- nized group was(169.71?30.52)pg/mL (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate potential mutations and clinical features of 9 unrelated patients with inherited coagulation factor VII (FVII) deficiency.

METHODSClinical diagnosis was validated by assaying of coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, FVII activity and specific antigens. All exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5' and 3' untranslated regions of F7 genes were amplified with PCR. Potential mutations were detected by direct sequencing of purified PCR products. Suspected mutations were confirmed by sequencing of the opposite strand.

RESULTSAll probands have featured prolonged prothrombin time, with FVII activity ranging between 2.0% to 6.0%. The titers of FVII antigen were significantly reduced in 7 probands. Eight mutations, including 6 missense mutations, 1 deletion and 1 insertion, were identified, among which 3 (Gln100Leu, Ser269Pro and g.11520_11521insT) were not described previously. Six mutations have located in the protease domain. All mutations were inherited, and consanguineous marriages were reported in 5 families. Mutations g.27_28delCT, Cys329Gly, Arg304Trp and His348Gln have been identified in unrelated families. There was a lack of correlation between the mutations and their clinical features. Two individuals with homozygous His348Gln mutations and 1 individual with homozygous Arg304Trp mutation were only mildly affected or asymptomatic. Two patients, who have respectively carried homozygous and heterozygous deletions of g.27_28delCT, were moderately affected and asymptomatic. In 4 patients carrying double heterozygous mutations, 1 (Ser269Pro and Cys329Gly) was asymptomatic, 2 (Arg304Trp and Cys329Gly, Arg277Cys and g.11520_11521insT, respectively) had a mild bleeding tendency, whilst 1 (Gln100Leu and His348Gln) has a moderate bleeding diathesis.

CONCLUSIONThere seem to be hotspots of F7 gene mutations in ethnic Han Chinese populations. And there is a lack of correlation between particular types of mutations and clinical phenotypes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited ; genetics ; Child ; Factor VII ; genetics ; Factor VII Deficiency ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze genetic mutation and explore its molecular pathogenesis for an hereditary coagulation factor XII(F XII) deficiency in a pedigree featuring consanguineous marriage.

METHODSActivated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), F XII procoagulant activity (F XII:C), F XII antigen (F XII:Ag) and other coagulant parameters were assayed. For the proband and his family members, exons 1-4, introns including the splice junctions of the F XII gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR product was purified and sequenced. The mutations were confirmed by sequencing the complimentary strand.

RESULTSThe proband has featured prolonged APTT at 157.5 s (reference range, 27.0-41.0 s). The APTT of his son has increased slightly at 48.3 s. The remaining members of the family were in normal range. F XII activity and F XII antigen of the proband were significantly decreased (<1%). The F XII activity of his wife, daughter, son and mother was also dropped to about 51%, 21%, 21% and 50%, respectively, and so was the F XII antigen (42%, 32%, 37% and 48%, respectively). Homozygous missense mutation of G→A transition at position 8699 in exon 14 resulting in Gly542Ser was identified in the proband. His mother, son and daughter were heterozygous for Gly542Ser. In the promoter regions of F XII gene, the genotype of the proband and the other members was 46T/T.

CONCLUSIONHomozygous missense mutation Gly542Ser was found in a pedigree of hereditary F XII deficiency. The homozygous missense mutation might have resulted from his parents by consanguineous marriage. Gly542Ser and 46T/T have contributed to the pathogenesis of the hereditary factor XII deficiency pedigree.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Consanguinity ; Exons ; Factor XII ; genetics ; Factor XII Deficiency ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the masticatory efficiency and the character of mandibular movement trace of the patients with complete denture (CD), complete overdenture (COD) and implant-supported overdenture (IOD).

METHODSA total of 42 subjects were rehabilitated with CD, COD and IOD respectively and wore the dentures at least half a year. Each study group was composed of 14 subjects. The masticatory function of patients were investigated by means of masticatory efficiency and mandibular movement trace. The characters of mandibular movement trace were evaluated from four aspects: the regulation of chewing cycle, centralization of end traces, the type of the contact slides and the type of the trace on the frontal plane.

RESULTSThe average chewing efficiency of almond and jujube in the IOD patients was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01), and the chewing efficiency of almond in COD group was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01). In the IOD group, there were more patients with regular chewing cycle (P < 0.05) and centralized end traces (P < 0.01) in mandibular movement than those in the CD group and COD group.

CONCLUSIONSIOD and COD benefit the fully or partially edentulous patients with a relatively good masticatory function. The patients with IOD have more regular mandibular movement than those with CD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; physiology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of drug resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) with DNA load and genotypes in children with MP pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 230 children who were hospitalized and diagnosed with MP pneumonia between January 2012 and December 2016 were enrolled. Throat swabs were collected from the 230 children, and a rapid drug sensitivity assay was used to determine the sensitivity of clinical isolates of MP to nine commonly used antibacterial agents. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure MP-DNA load in throat swabs. PCR sequencing was used to determine the genotype of 2063 locus of the MP 23S rRNA V domain.

RESULTSOf the 230 children, 86 (37.4%) had genotype A in 2063 locus, 134 (58.3%) had genotype G, 8 (3.5%) had genotype C, and 2 (0.9%) had genotype T. Mutant strains (genotype G+C+T) had a significantly higher MP-DNA load than wild-type strains (genotype A) (P<0.05). The strains resistant to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and clindamycin had a significantly higher MP-DNA load than non-resistant strains (P<0.05). MP had a high drug resistance rate to macrolide antibiotics. More than 60% of the cases with resistance to macrolides were found to have A2063G mutations. MP was rarely resistant to quinolones (less than 2%).

CONCLUSIONSMutations in 2063 locus of the MP 23S rRNA V domain may result in the resistance of MP to macrolides and the change in DNA load and can be used as a basis for selecting drugs for MP.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; drug effects ; genetics ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; drug therapy ; microbiology

Drug resistant bacteria is an increasingly urgent challenge to public health. Bacteria adaptation and extensive abuse of antibiotics contribute to this dilemma. Active efflux of antibiotics is employed by the bacteria to survive the antibiotic pressure. Efflux pump is one of the hot spots of current drug related studies and ideal targets for the improvement of treatment. The efflux pumps and related mechanisms of action, regulation of expression and methodologies were summarized. Comparative genomics analyses were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and evolution of efflux pump as exemplified by the Mycobacterium in our lab, which is a crucial re-emerging threat to global public health. The pathway and state-of-art drug development of efflux pump related drugs are included too.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; antagonists & inhibitors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Ion Pumps ; antagonists & inhibitors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; drug effects ; physiology ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mycobacterium ; metabolism