9β,11β-Epoxypregn-4-ene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (Ⅰ) is a substrate for the production of 9β,11β-Epoxypregn-1,4-diene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione (Ⅳ),which is a key precursor for the production of many 9-fluoro-substituted corticosteroid hormones.By comparing whole cells catalysis and cellular lysates conversion,it was found that whole cells of Mycobacterium sp.MS136 could only convert Ⅰ to 9β,11β-Epoxypregn-4-ene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione (Ⅱ),and Ⅰ can be effectively converted toⅣ by cellular lysates.The reaction order is that Ⅰ is spontaneously hydrolyzed to Ⅱ and Ⅱ undergoes C1,2-dehydrogenation reaction to Ⅳ.In order to improve the productivity of Ⅳ,the key genes kstD,kstD3 and kstDM encoding C1,2-dehydrogenase (KSTD) were overexpressed in Mycobacterium sp.MS136 to enhance the C1,2-dehydrogenation reaction rate,and the results showed that 1 g/L substrate Ⅰ can be converted by recombinant strain MS136-kstDM cellular lysates at pH 7.0,the productivity of Ⅳ reached 78.4％ after 45 h,which is 38.9％ higher than original strain.The reaction rate is enhanced by optimizing the pH,and the results showed that 1 g/L substrate (Ⅰ) can be converted by recombinant strain MS136-kstDM cellular lysates at pH 7.5,the productivity of Ⅳreached 92.8％ after 45 h,which was 63.4％ higher than original strain.

Objective: To determine if the hemagglutinin A (HagA) of Porphyromonas gingivalis could be involved in the adhesion and invasion in human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC). Methods:P. gingivalis 381 hagA mutant was constructed by conjugation method. The whole length of hagA gene was cloned into pYA292 in Salmonella typhimurium x4072 (S. typhimurium-hagA). The strains were used to test their ability of adhesion and invasion into HGEC using a standard antibiotic protection assay. S. typhimurium x4072 strains containing empty vectors were used as negative control. HagA expression in S. typhimurium-hagA was confirmed by Western blot. Results:Although there were no significant differences between P. gingivalis 381 hagA mutant and wild type in adhesion and invasion into HGEC, the adhesion values of S. typhimurium-hagA to HGEC were increased by 3 times compared to their respective controls, while the invasion ability of S. typhimurium-hagA was 4 times greater than that of the negative controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that HagA may participate in P. gingivalis adhesion and invasion into HGEC.

BACKGROUND: Cytokine is a poly-functional and effective regulator factor to regulate growth of multiple cells. Researches suggest that, as an inflammatory medium, cytokines play a key role in inflammatory reaction of eye; however, there are rare studies on dynamic changes after traumatic cataract.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among inflammatory reaction and dynamic changes of interleukin 1 (IL-1),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in aqueous humor of rabbits after extracapsular cataract extraction.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study.SETTING: Shenzhen Municipal Ophthalmology Hospital, Shenzhen Municipal Ophthalmology Center Affiliated to Medical College of Jinan University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in Institute of Shenzhen Municipal Ophthalmology Center Affiliated to Medical College of Jinan University from March 2004 to March 2006. Fifteen healthy adult New Zealand rabbits of 30 eyes,general grade, weighting 2.5-3.0 kg, of either gender, were provided by Animal Center of the Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University [certification: SYXK (yue) 2005-006]. Eyes of rabbits were normal before experiment. All rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group, traumatic control group and operative group with 5 in each group and in total of 10 eyes in each group. IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α kits were provided by Shenzhen Yawei Biotechnology Company Limited.METHODS: Rabbits in traumatic control group and operative group were totally anesthetized with intravenous injection of 10% 1 mi/kg urethan, and then, 5# needle was punctured from corneal limbus to anterior chamber to scarify anterior membrane of lens about 5 mm to establish animal models of traumatic cataract of oculus uterque. Rabbits in normal control group were fed normally. After successful modeling, common antibiotic eyedrops was used to clean conjunctival sac of rabbits in traumatic control group and operative group 3 times a day. On the 3rd day of successful modeling, rabbits in operative group were totally anesthetized with intravenous injection of 10% 1 mL/kg urethan, and then, they undertook extracapsular cataract extraction of oculus uterque: horizontally intercepting bladder or waterly separating with breakage of anterior bladder membrane, expulsing nucleus of lens, washing lens cortex and suturing incisions. On the operative day and on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days after operation, inflammatory reaction of anterior chamber in traumatic control group and operative group was measured and 0.2 mL aqueous humor was extracted from rabbits in three groups to count and classify cells; meanwhile, expressed level and dynamic changes of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in cytokines of aqueous humor were measured with double-antibodies ELASA technique.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total numbors of leucocytes and contents of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in aqueous humor of rabbits in three groups after operation.RESULTS: ① On the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days after operation, numbers of leucocytes were (2.4±0.7)×106/L, (2,2±0.5)×106/L, (2.8±0.8)×106/L and (2.0±0.5)×106/L in aqueous humor; (19.7±7.3)×106/L, (28.1±9.6)×106/L, (14.2±5.6)×106/L and(8.4±3.8)×106/L in traumatic control group; (65.3±14.5)×106/L, (79.8±12.7)×106/L, (21.7±8.2)×106/L and (12.4±4.1)×106/L in operative group. In addition, numbers of leucocytes were more in traumatic control group and operative group than those in normal control group (F =22.5, 27.9, 11.6, 8.4;P＜0.05). ② Within 1-14 days after operation, contents of IL-1, IL-6and TNF-α in aqueous humo were higher in traumatic control group and operative group than those in normal control group (P＜0.05), and there was a significant difference between traumatic control group and operative group (P＜0.05);however, there was no significant difference among three groups on the operative day (P＞0.05). ③ Contents of cytokines reached peak on the 7th day after operation, decreased gradually, and reached the lowest value on the 14th day.Contents in traumatic control group and operative group were higher than those in normal control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: The intraocular inflammation after lens extraction is closely related to the dynamic changes of IL-1, IL-6and TNF-α levels in aqueous humor. Cytokine may be one of crucially inflammatory agents in the eyes after traumatic cataract.

Objective To explore the effects of chronic fluorosis on neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats,and to provide some morphological evidence of damage in the central nervous system induced by chronic fluorosis.Methods Male Wistar rats 40 days after birth were fed with high fluoride contented water(100 mg/L)for inducing chronic fluorosis.Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect c-fos and Caspase 8 at cerebral cortical neurons respectively.Results c-fos positive cells rate and gray scale in the cerebral cortex of chronic fluorosis were 35.8%and 0.2756±0.0241,respectively,and that of control group were 32.1%and 0.2774±0.0331with statistical difference(χ2=0.305,t=0.826,P＞0.05).Caspase 8 positive cells rates of fluorosis group and control group were 18.7%and 14.1%,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(χ2=0.419,P＞0.05).The gray scale of fluorosis group and control group were 0.3874±0.0329 and 0.3884±0.0323,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(t=0.641,P＞0.05).Conclusion Chronic fluorosis had no significant influence on apoptosis of cerebral cortical neurons.

To examine whether or not the regulatory sequence of chicken ovalbumin gene can drive transgene expression specifically in hen oviduct, the authors constructed an oviduct-specific expression vector (pOV), containing 3.0 kilobases (kb) of the 5'-flanking sequence and 3.0 kb of the 3'-flanking sequence of the chicken ovalbumin gene. Jellyfish green fluorescence protein (EGFP) reporter gene and bacterial LacZ reporter gene were respectively inserted into the downstream of the 5'-regulatory region.The recombinants were named as pOVEGFP and pOVLacZ. Two transfer systems, in vitro and in vivo, were used to verify the function of the vector. In vitro, the plasmid DNA pOVEGFP and pEGFP-N1 were transfected respectively by the polyethyleneimine procedure into the primary chicken oviduct epithelium (PCOE) and fibroblasts cells isolated from laying hens. In vivo, the recombinant vector pOVLacZ was injected into egg-laying hens via wing vein and the tissues were collected for RT-PCR analysis.The results showed that expression of pEGFP-N1 was achieved at low level in oviduct epithelial cells and at high level in fibroblasts, but that the recombinant vector was not expressed in both cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that the LacZ gene was transcribed in the oviduct, but not in the heart, liver, kidney and spleen of the injected hens. Accordingly, the ?-galactosidase activity was only detected in the oviduct magnum (116.7 mU/ml) and eggs (16.47 mU/ml). These results indicated that the cloned regulation regions of chicken ovalbumin gene could drive exogenous gene expression specifically in the oviducts of hens. In vivo gene injection via wing vein may serve as a rapid production system of recombinant proteins in chicken eggs. In addition, the cultured primary oviduct cells from laying hens were not efficient temporary expression systems for analyzing the function of regulating elements of ovalbumin gene.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) and pregnancy outcome of the late pregnancy women.

METHODSLate pregnancy women were divided into two groups by age: over 35 group and under 35 group. The incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram was recorded when the patients were subjected to routine ECG examination. Then the pregnancy, delivery outcome and if there's low birth weight newborn were recorded later.

RESULTSThe incidence of abnormal ECG in over 35 group was significantly higher than that in under 35 group (P < 0.05). And the incidence of ST segment changes, arrhythmia in the group of former was higher than that in the group of latter (P < 0.05). Among the different type of arrhythmia, the incidence of sinus bradycardia and ventricular premature beat in the group of former were higher than those in the group of latter (P < 0.05). But the incidence of sinus tachycardia in the former group was obviously lower than that in the latter group (P < 0.05). The incidence of pregnancy loss in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in under 35 with normal or abnormal ECG groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of premature birth in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in over 35 with normal ECG group (P < 0.05). The incidence of low body weight in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in under 35 with normal ECG group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe late pregnancy women with the age of over 35 are more likely to have ECG abnormalities, such as arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and so on. The older pregnant women with abnormal ECG easily suffer from pregnancy losing, premature birth and having a low birth weight baby.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; epidemiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; epidemiology

Objective: To study the role of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) in the growth of mandibular condyle cartilage. Methods: Primary chondrocytes of condyle were cultured. Expression plasmid of ATF-2 and plasmid bcl-2 promoter were transfected into chondrocytes. Luciferase assay and Western blot were used. Results: The absence of ATF-2 in mandibular condyle chondrocytes resulted in a decline in bcl-2 promoter activity, reduction in bcl-2 protein level. Conclusion: The results strongly imply that ATF-2 is required for adequate bcl-2 expression, and play a significant role in controlling growth plate chondrocyte progression.

Objective To explore a simpler, more economic and reproducible method to reproduce a model of high oxygen induced acute lung injury (HALI) in rats. Methods An animal feeding box equipped with a controllable high oxygen was designed. 100 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal control group and HALI group by random number table method, with 50 rats in each group. Each group was randomly subdivided into five subgroups according to the duration of exposure to high oxygen, namely 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96-hour subgroups, with 10 rats in each subgroup. The rats in normal control group were kept in cages with ambient air, and the rats in HALI group were kept in an oxygen tank in which the oxygen concentration was higher than 90% volume ratio, with the temperature maintained at 25-27 ℃, humidity of 50%-70%, and CO2 concentration < 0.5% for 23.5 hours every day. The arterial blood of rats was collected for analysis of blood gas at all time points, and the oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated. Then the rats were sacrificed and the right lung was harvested, which was sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The changes in histopathology were observed with light microscopy, and pathological score was recorded. The left lung was harvested for the measurement of the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). Results With the prolongation of high oxygen exposure time, the degree of lung injury in HALI group was gradually increased, and the degree of derangement of alveolar structure appeared in an increasing degree, with destruction of the alveolar wall, widening of alveolar space, and appearance of edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. A small quantity of red blood cells exudation could be found in some rats. The pathologic changes were most obvious at 48-72 hours after exposure. With the prolongation of high oxygen exposure time (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours), the OI (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in HALI group was gradually decreased (446.67±29.93, 306.19±37.23, 269.70±29.00, 253.81±43.40 and 245.58±35.25), RI, pathological score of lung tissue and W/D ratio were gradually increased [RI: 0.25±0.04, 0.31±0.06, 0.38±0.06, 0.46±0.07 and 0.44±0.03; pathological score of lung tissue: 0.00±0.00, 0.90±0.74, 2.90±1.20, 4.70±1.57 and 4.80±1.23; lung W/D ratio: 3.84±0.61, 4.14±0.46, 4.56±0.34, 5.32±0.27 and 5.18±0.25]. Statistically significant differences were found in 72-hour group as compared with that of other groups (all P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between 96 hours and 72 hours groups (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in changes between 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours as compared with those of the normal control group: OI (mmHg): 24 h 306.19±37.23 vs. 435.65±25.34 and 96 h 245.58±35.25 vs. 465.42±24.75; RI: 24 h 0.31±0.06 vs. 0.24±0.04 and 96 h 0.44±0.03 vs. 0.24±0.06. The same as true in pathological scores of lung tissue: 24 h 0.90±0.74 vs. 0.00±0.00 and 96 h 4.80±1.23 vs. 0.00±0.00; lung W/D ratio: 24 h 4.14±0.46 vs. 3.79±0.44 and 96 h 5.18±0.25 vs. 4.12±0.91, all P < 0.05. Conclusions A self-designed high oxygen box is simple, easy to operate and reproduction of HALI model can be attained. Sustained exposure to high concentrations of oxygen (≥ 90%) for 24 hours can replicate the HALI model successfully, and the most serious injury appears at 48-72 hours after exposure.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in inducing apoptosis of typeⅡalveolar epithelial cell (AECⅡ) after overexpression by adenoviral transfection of micro RNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p), and to explore the mechanism of its anti-apoptosis.Methods Subculture AECⅡ were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (normal saline), H2O2 challenge group ( 0.5 mmol/L H2O2), miR-21-5p overexpression group (miR-21-5p adenovirus+ 0.5 mmol/L H2O2), miR-21-5p negative transfection group (adenovirus void+0.5 mmol/L H2O2). Transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptotic morphology and early apoptotic rate. Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-21-5p in AECⅡ, and Western Blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 at the highest transfection efficiency at different time points (6, 12, 24, 48 hours).Results ① AECⅡ identification: fluorescence microscopy showed the presence of characteristic structure of AECⅡ, i.e. microvilli and osmiophilic lamellar bodies.② Apoptotic morphology: transmission electron microscopy showed cytoplasmic retraction, chromatin condensation, margination, lack of cell surface microvilli, and emptying of osmiophilic lamellar bodies in AECⅡ.③ The expression of miR-21-5p in AECⅡ: the highest transfection efficiency was found at 48 hours. The expression of miR-21-5p in miR-21-5p overexpression group was significantly higher than that of the normal control group, H2O2 challenge group and miR-21-5p negative transfection group (A value: 1.54±0.02 vs. 1.02±0.02, 0.56±0.03, 0.58±0.02, allP< 0.05).④ The rate of early apoptosis: compared with normal control group, the early apoptotic rates in H2O2 challenge group, miR-21-5p negative transfection group and miR-21-5p overexpression group were gradually elevated with the prolongation of injury time. The early apoptotic rate in miR-21-5p overexpression group was significantly lower than that of the H2O2 challenge group and miR-21-5p negative transfection group at all time points except 6 hours [12 hours: (10.73±2.80)% vs. (16.26±0.59)%, (16.04±0.70)%; 24 hours:(16.00±3.44)% vs. (23.29±2.78)%, (23.58±2.31)%; 48 hours: (31.30±3.55)% vs. (50.53±2.17)%, (49.41±1.97)%, allP< 0.05]. There was no significant difference in early apoptotic rate between miR-21-5p negative transfection group and H2O2 challenge group at each time point.⑤ Protein expression: the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 in miR-21-5p overexpression group were significantly lower than those of the H2O2 challenge group and miR-21-5p negative transfection group [Bax (A value): 0.07±0.01 vs. 0.18±0.01, 0.13±0.01; caspase-3 (A value): 0.07±0.01 vs. 0.23±0.01, 0.12±0.01, allP< 0.05], and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly higher than that of the H2O2 challenge group and miR-21-5p negative transfection group (A value: 0.26±0.01 vs. 0.06±0.01, 0.10±0.01, both P< 0.05).Conclusions① miR-21-5p has the function of anti-apoptosis of AECⅡ.② Adenoviral vector is a successful gene transfer vector when transfected with AECⅡ.③ The anti-apoptosis of AECⅡ by miR-21-5p may be associated with reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein levels and raised expression levels of Bcl-2 protein.

Objective To investigate the influence of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) on cardiac output (CO) value and parameters of hemodynamics monitored by transpulmonary thermodilution technique in critical patients. Methods A prospective cohort study was conduced. Sixty-two critical patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Zunyi Medical College Affiliated Hospital from January 2011 to October 2015 were enrolled. All of the patients received CVVH through femoral vein puncture catheter. The CO value was monitored before CVVH operation, immediately after CVVH operation (8 ℃ normal saline was injected immediately after the output of blood from the arterial end), 5 minutes after operation, the time at the sudden interruption (press pause key after 10 minutes of operation) and resumed immediately, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after operation by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) with transpulmonary thermodilution method. The changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and blood temperature were observed at all time points. Results From CVVH before start to 5 minutes thereafter, CO values were not significantly changed in patients, fluctuating in 6.96 (7.33, 8.67)-6.98 (6.43, 7.45) L/min. When CVVH was suddenly interrupted, CO value was immediately increased to the peak 8.04 (7.36, 8.77) L/min, which showed statistically significant difference as compared with other time points (all P < 0.01). Immediately after the CVVH recovery from interruption, the CO value dropped to 4.71 (4.14, 7.26) L/min, and it was significantly lower than those at other time points (all P < 0.01). With the CVVH recovery, the patients' CO value was gradually restored to the stable operation ahead of interruption [4.71 (4.14, 7.26)-6.85 (6.08, 7.26) L/min]. During CO monitoring, HR, MAP, CVP and blood temperature of the patients were at the same level, and no significant changes were founded. Conclusions CVVH interruption of immediate PiCCO monitoring CO value were significantly increased, immediately after the CVVH recovery the CO value were significantly reduced, and the normal operation of CVVH did not affect the CO value monitoring. Hemodynamics and blood temperature of all patients were stable during CVVH.