Differential display-PCR was used to clone the differential expressed genes between Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence strain H37Rv and its avirulent mutant H37Ra. All of different genes were cloned, sequenced and some were analyzed by Northern-blotting. Two cDNAs that appeared to be expressed in H37Rv, but not in H37Ra, were cloned and sequenced. Rv0170, and Rv1894c, code for proteins with unknown functions. The two gene were present in H37Ra, but not expressed. These results show that mRNA DD methodology can represent a potential tool for investigation of M. tuberculosis gene expression.

Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; classification ; standards ; utilization ; United States

Objective To evaluate the preoperative diagnosis and treatment of primary non-specific ureteritis,and to better understand this disease.Methods Three cases of primary non-specific ureteritis (1 man and 2 women)were reported.Their age was 28,38,68 years,respectively.One ease was found to have hydronephrosis on B-ultrasound at physical examination with no symptoms,and 2 had abdominal pain. The lesions were detected in lower part of the ureter in 2 cases,and in middle in I.The patients were diag- nosed preoperatively with combined use of MRU and ureteroscopy.Partial resection of the diseased part of the ureter was performed in all the cases.Results Pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of non-spe- cific ureteritis.Microscopy showed necrotic tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration of ureteral mucosa,dilated and congested blood vessels,hypertrophic muscular layer,and proliferation of fibrous tissue.During the fol- low-up of 2 years,the patients had no symptoms and were free from hydronephrosis.Conclusions The eti- ology of primary non-specific ureteritis is unclear,and no typical symptoms can be found clinically.Combined use of MRU and ureteroscopy is helpful for definite diagnosis of the disease.Partial resection of the diseased part of the ureter has good results.

Objective To analyze the X-ray,CT and MRI findings of synovial tuberculosis,and to evaluate the role of MRI in diagnosing synovial tuberculosis.Methods Fourteen eases of synovial tuberculosis comfirmed by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed and summarized. All patients were examined by MRI and X-ray,and CT scans were performed in 3 cases. Results X-ray showed joint swelling(8 cases),articular space narrowing(7 cases),marginal joint erosions(4 cases), and periarticular osteoporosis(9 cases).The joint swelling was detected on CT in all 3 cases,and bony erosion and speckled sequestra were seen in 2 cases.MRI in all of patients showed joint swelling and synovial proliferation in different drgees,demonstrated as heterogeneously low signal on T_1 WI and slight high signal(7 cases)and obvious high signal(6 cases)on T_2WI,and diffuse synovial proliferation was demonstrated as massive and nodular signal in 8 cases.Joint effusion was present in 7 cases as low signal on T_1WI and high signal on T_2 WI.Osseous erosion lesions were seen in 7 cases,and intra-artieular cartilage thinned,partly or mostly disappeared in 11 cases.Periarticular bone marrow edema was found in 7 cases. Conclusion MRI was superior to X-ray and CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of synovial tuberculosis.

Objective To investigate the significance of galactose galectin-3(Galectin-3)and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)expression in gliomas patients and thire role in process of gliomas' malignancy development. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Galectin-3 and MMP-2 protein expression in 5 normal brain tissue and 40 patients with different grade gliomas. According to positive cells number of Galectin-3,MMP-2 in tumor cells under a microscope,to determine the expression,and the positive index(LI)which came from the percentage of the positive cell number out of the total cell number was to expressed the number of positive cell. Results Galectin-3 and MMP-2 protein expression in normal brain tissue were negative. In glioma tissues,Galectin-3 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor cells. In 23 glioma tissue withⅠor Ⅱ grade,9 cases(39. 13% )was positive and the LI values was(5. 65 ± 3. 47)% in terms of Galectin-3 expression. In Ⅲ,Ⅳ grade glioma specimens,the positive rate of Galectin-3 expression was 76. 47%(13 / 17), and LI value was(27. 88 ± 22. 13)% . The difference of Galectin-3 expression and LI value were significant between specimens with Ⅰ,Ⅱ grade and Ⅲ,Ⅳ significant( χ2 = 4. 101,t = 4. 105;P < 0. 05). In human gliomas,MMP-2 expression protein was mainly expressed in tumor cells and vascular basement membrane of the endothelial cell cytoplasm. In 23 glioma tissue with Ⅰor Ⅱ grade,9 cases(39. 13% )was positive and the LI values was(5. 91 ± 4. 78)% in terms of MMP-2 expression. In Ⅲ,Ⅳ grade glioma specimens,the positive rate of MMP-2 expression was 88. 24%(15 / 17),and LI value was(30. 06 ± 22. 94)% . The difference of MMP-2 expression was significant between specimens with Ⅰ,Ⅱ grade or Ⅲ,Ⅳ grade( χ2 = 7. 882,t = 4. 271;P< 0. 05). The linear correlation analysis showed that there was positively correlation between Galectin-3 and MMP-2 positive cells(r = 0. 800,P < 0. 05). Conclusion Galectin-3 and MMP-2 protein expression in Ⅰ,Ⅱgrade gliomas is significantly lower than those inⅢ,Ⅳ grade glioma,and they are positively related with the progress of malignant gliomas. Galectin-3 and MMP-2 protein can be used to evaluate or judge the malignant stage of human brain glioma.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; Sequence Analysis

[Objective]To establish a novel noninvasive fluorescent animal model for endometriosis in vitro and in vivo.[Methods]Adenovirus encoding enhancing green fluorescent protein(Ad-eGFP)was used to transfect endometrial glandular cells and stromal cells(cells transfection and injection,Method No.1),and fragments(tissues transfection and injection,Method No.2).Transfection efficiencies were compared between the two methods in vitro.Then GFP transfected glandular cells and stromal cells suspension were injected into nude mice subcutaneously(Method No.1),taking Method No.2 as a comparison.In vivo observation last for 25 days,and positive rates and duration times of fluorescent lesions were calculated.Histological examination was used to confirmed lesion formation.[Results]On the fifth day after injection,lesion positive rate of Method No.1 was 88.9%,which was statistically significantly higher than that of Method No.2(22.2%),P=0.015＜0.05.The fluorescent positive duration of Method No.1 and No.2 were 12 ± 8 days and 7±4 days.The structures of lesions were all identified as human original endometrium by histological examination,including HE staining and immunofluoresceney.[Conclusion]Noninvasive animal model of endometriosis can be built up by subcutaneously injection of Ad-EGFP transfected endometrial glandular cells and stromal cells suspension with higher positive rate and longer observation time

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing yin removing fire Chinese herbs (NYRF-CH) on the gene expression of hypothalamic growth hormone secretion peptide (Ghrelin) and its receptor growth hormone secretion peptide receptor 1alpha (GHSR1-alpha) at the puberty onset of danazol induced female precocious rats.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group (N), the model group (M), the normal saline intervention group (NS), and the NYRFCH intervention group (NI), 10 in each group. 300 microg danazol was subcutaneously injected to all rats except those in the N group to prepare precocious rat model. NYRFCH and normal saline was respectively administered to rats in the NI and the NS group from the 15th day old for 7-10 days. No treatment was given to rats in the N group. Time of rats' vulva opening was recorded. Ovary index and uterus index were calculated. Peripheral blood levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamic contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as the gene expression of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha were determined. Results Compared with the N group, the vulva opening time was advanced in the model group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index, hypothalamic contents of GnRH increased; peripheral blood FSH levels and mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the M group and the NS group, the vulva opening time was not advanced in the NI group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index and hypothalamic contents of GnRH obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha increased (all P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the hypothalamic contents of Ghrelin, or the number and activity of GHSR1-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNYRFCH had regulatory effect on regulating hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha at gene transcription levels.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Ovary ; Puberty, Precocious ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

Objective To investigate the genotype of metallo-?-lactamases (MBL) produced by carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in pediatric patients.Methods 59 strains of resistance to imipenem or meropenem were collected from December 2003 to November 2005 in Beijing children's hospital.Isolates were further evaluated for MBL production by two screening methods.MBL Etest strips were used to screen the phenotype of MBL production.Molecular screening for blaVIM,blaIMP,blaSPM and blaGIM was carried out using primers targeting the conserved regions of the MBL genes.The PCR fragments obtained with integron primers were sequenced on both strands.The nucleotide sequences were compared with sequences available over the Internet.Results Of the 59 carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa included in this study,29 (49.2%)were MBL positive using Etest methods,and 39 (66.1%) of these tested positive for MBL genes by PCR.35 (89.7%) were positive for blaIMP genes and 4 (10.3%) were positive for blaVIM genes.All isolates were negative for SPM and GIM DNA sequencing revealed that the IMP-1 was detected in 35 IMP-producing isolates,and VIM-2 was detected in 4 VIM-producing isolates.Conclusions This study has demonstrated that MBL-producing strains in pediatric are more common than in adult.IMP-1-producing strains are the main in pediatric,and VIM-2-producing strains concurred.The production of MBL is one of the important reasons of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in pediatric.It is very important to monitor the production of MBL.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of external tissue expansion in the repair of massive skin and soft tissue defects.

METHODSFrom August 1998 to January 2004, 10 patients with massive skin and soft tissue defects ( the area ranging from 10 cm x 4 cm to 24 cm x 15 cm) , including 7 with wounds in the leg, 2 with wounds in knee region, and 1 with wounds in the forearm, were enrolled in the study. All patients were subjected to external tissue expansion together with external skeletal fixation for 2 -3 weeks, then the wounds were closed with suturing or supplemented with skin flaps.

RESULTSThe defects were closed completely after external expansion in 4 cases, and in other 5 cases the wounds were significantly decreased in area, and the residual wounds were covered with free skin grafting. In I case the wound could only be reduced in size, and the residual wound was closed with a local flap. Follow-up from 1 to 12 months showed that the wounds were closed with normal cutaneous sensation and good appearance.

CONCLUSIONExternal skin expansion is a simple, economical method for repair of massive skin soft-tissue defect, which can significantly be reduced or entirely closed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult