DNA microarrays have been acknowledged to represent a promising approach for the detection of viral pathogens. However, the probes designed for current arrays could cover only part of the given viral variants, that could result in false-negative or ambiguous data. If all the variants are to be covered, the requirement for more probes would render much higher spot density and thus higher cost of the arrays. Here we have developed a new strategy for oligonucleotide probe design. Using type I human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) tat gene as an example, we designed the array probes and validated the optimized parameters in silico. Results show that the oligo number is significantly reduced comparing with the existing methods, while specificity and hybridization efficiency remain intact. The adoption of this method in reducing the oligo numbers could increase the detection capacity for DNA microarrays, and would significantly lower the manufacturing cost for making array chips.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation on acute lung injury induced by paraquat (PQ) poisoning in rats, and to identify the optimal transplantation conditions.

METHODSTwo hundred female rats were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., PQ group (n = 15), BMSC treatment group 1 (n = 15 for each subgroup), BMSC treatment group 2 (n = 15 for each subgroup), BMSC control group 1 (n = 15 for each subgroup), BMSC control group 2 (n = 15), and normal control group (n = 5). In the PQ group, each rat was intraperitoneally injected with 20% PQ solution (15 mg/kg). In BMSC treatment group 1, each rat was injected via the caudal vein with 1×10(5), 10(6), 10(7)or 10(8) BMSCs (1 ml) after 6 hours of PQ exposure. In BMSC treatment group 2, each rat was injected via the caudal vein with 1×10(7) BMSCs (1 ml) after 1, 6, 12, or 24 hours of PQ exposure. In BMSC control group 1, each rat was injected via the caudal vein with 1×10(5), 10(6), 10(7), or 10(8) BMSCs (1 ml). In BMSC control group 2, each rat was injected via the caudal vein with 1×10(7) BMSCs (1 ml). In the normal control group, each rat was intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of 0.9% saline. The lung wet/dry weight ratio and plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured at 1, 3, and 7 days after various treatments.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the PQ group showed significantly higher lung wet/dry weight ratios at 3 and 7 days after PQ exposure and significantly higher plasma TNF-α and MDA levels at 1, 3, and 7 days after PQ exposure (P < 0.01). Compared with the PQ group, BMSC treatment group 1 showed significantly lower lung wet/dry weight ratios at 7 days after injection of 1×10(6) and 10(7) BMSCs, significantly lower plasma TNF-α levels at 3 and 7 days after injection of 1×10(5), 10(6), and 10(7) BMSCs, and significantly lower plasma MDA levels at 3 days after injection of 1×10(6) and 10(7) BMSCs and at 7 days after injection of 1×10(5), 10(6), and 10(7) BMSCs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the PQ group, BMSC treatment group 2 showed significantly lower lung wet/dry weight ratios at 7 days after injection of BMSCs following 1, 6, and 12 hours of PQ exposure, significantly lower plasma TNF-α levels at 3 and 7 days after injection of BMSCs following 1, 6, and 12 hours of PQ exposure, and significantly lower plasma MDA levels at 3 days after injection of BMSCs following 6 hours of PQ exposure and at 7 days after injection of BMSCs following 1, 6, and 12 hours of PQ exposure (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBMSCs have a protective effect on the lung in rats with PQ poisoning, and the effect is closely related to the transplantation time and number of transplanted BMSCs. After 6 hours of PQ exposure, intravenous injection of 1×10(7) BMSCs can result in significant decreases in lung wet/dry weight ratio and plasma TNF-α and MDA levels.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To validate the performance of six enzymatic glycated albumin reagents and evaluate their clinical application.Methods The performance of six enzymatic glycated albumin reagents(labled as A,B,C,D,E,F) from Beijing Jiuqiang Co, Beijing Lideman Co,Ningbomeikang Co, Beijing Haomai Co, Sichuan Maike Co and Asahi Kasei Co were assessed on Olympus AU5800 automatic biochemistry analyzer.According to the standard of CLSI,the precision,interference and linear correlation of these reagents were assessed.To assess the accuracy of GA% ,we used GA standard material whose value had been assigned using ID-LC/MS method provided by ReCCS.To do the method comparison and determine the consistency of assay, 50 fresh serum samples of T2DM outpatient and 80 fresh serum samples of apparently healthy people in Jan 2016 were tested using six kits.According to the EP28-A3C protocol, the reference range for GA%was validated in 122 apparently healthy individuals undertaking medical examination from January to February 2016 in PUMC.Results The precision,and the ability of anti-interference of the six reagents were good.The accuracy percentage deviation of six reagents was-19.3%-9.2%.The correlation coefficient of domestic reagents A to E and imported reagents F in the determination of GA% was 0.966-0.999, the average absolute bias was 7.0%-10.4%.The coincidence rate of A-E and F in determining abnormal GA% was between 88.5% and 96.9%.The coincidence rate was increased after switching to the reference range for preliminary clinical evaluation.Conclusion Six GA enzymatic kits used in automatic biochemical analyzer have high precision and strong anti-interference ability.Accuracy still needs to be improved.

BACKGROUNDThere are few effective methods for treating injuries to the lower trunk of brachial plexus, and the curative effect is usually poor. The purpose of this study was to provide anatomic references for transferring the brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve (BMBMCN) for selective neurotization of finger flexion in brachial plexus lower trunk injury, and to evaluate its clinical curative effects.

METHODSMicroanatomy and measurement were done on 50 limbs from 25 adult human cadavers to observe the origin, branch, type of the BMBMCN and median nerve, as well as their adjacent structures. Internal topographic features of the fascicular groups of the median nerve at the level of the BMBMCN were observed. In addition, the technique of BMBMCN transfer for selective neurotization of finger flexion of the median nerve was designed and tested in 6 fresh adult human cadavers. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining of the BMBMCN and median nerve was done to observe the features of the nerve fibers. This technique was clinically tried to restore digital flexion in 6 cases of adult brachial plexus lower trunk injury. These cases were followed up for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. Recovery of function, grip strength, nerve electrophysiology and muscle power of the affected limbs were observed and measured.

RESULTSThe brachialis muscle was totally innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). Based on the Hunter's line, the level of the origin of the BMBMCN was (13.18 +/- 2.77) cm. AchE histochemical staining indicated that the BMBMCN were totally made up of medullated nerve fibers. At the level of the BMBMCN, the median nerve consistently collected into three fascicular groups as shown by microanatomy in combination with AchE stain. The posterior fascicular group was mainly composed of anterior interosseous nerves and branches to the palmaris longus. The technique was tested in six fresh cadavers successfully, except that stoma split occurred in one case. Five of the six cases recovered digital flexion 12 months after operation, and at the same time grip strength, muscle power, and nerve electrophysiology also recovered markedly.

CONCLUSIONSThe technique of transferring the BMBMCN for selective neurotization of finger flexion is anatomically safe and effective, with satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Acetylcholinesterase ; analysis ; Adult ; Brachial Plexus ; anatomy & histology ; injuries ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; surgery ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculocutaneous Nerve ; transplantation ; Nerve Transfer ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of using the Chinese Shang Ring in circumcision children with either phimosis or redundant prepuce, and to investigate its superiority over the similar devices available.

METHODSA total of 824 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring. The clinical data were assessed concerning the duration of the procedure, incidence of post-operative complications, time of recovery and appearance of the penis.

RESULTSThe procedure duration was (2.6 +/-1.2) min, and the complications included infection in 4 (0.6%), edema in 21 (3.2%), delayed removal of the ring in 10 (1.5%), redundant and asymmetric mucosa attributable to performance in 6 (0.9%) of the cases. The wounds healed and the rings were removed at 13.4 +/- 5.8 days after circumcision, with well-smoothed incision and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONChild circumcision with the Chinese Shang Ring is easy and simple in performance, with less operative time, fewer complications and better cosmetic results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo test whether nuclear factor kappa B plays an important role in the apoptosis-inhibitory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22(e) protein.

METHODSHepG2 cells were transfected with recombination plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22(e). The Act-D and TNF alpha were used to induce apoptosis. NF-kappa B inhibitor ALLN were used to inhibit the signaling pathway. The activation of NF-kappa B was EMSA, and the nulear translocation of NF-kappa B was determined by immuno-staining.

RESULTSLaser scanning confocal microscopy and EMSA indicated that HBV P22(e) protein enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B after apoptosis induction. ALLN treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B, and blocked the apoptosis-inhibiting effect of HBV P22(e) protein.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that HBV P22(e) protein inhibits apoptosis of hepatocyte via the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Leupeptins ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of mercury on T lymphocytes and serum immune indexes of workers with Methods occupational mercury exposure. A total of 45 workers with occupational mercury exposure were selected as the ， mercury exposure group and 47 workers without occupational mercury exposure were selected as the control group using the judgment sampling method. Cold atomic absorption spectrometry was used to detect the urinary mercury level of the two groups. （ ） +， + +， + + - + Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of cluster of differentiation CD 3 CD3CD4 CD3CD8 and CD3CD19 ， - （ - ） - （ - ） cells in peripheral blood and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α TNF α and interleukin 8 IL 8 in serum. The levels of （ ） ， Results immunoglobulin Ig A IgG and IgM in serum were measured by immune nephelometry. The urinary mercury level of （ ： vs ，P ） individuals in the mercury exposed group was higher than that of the control group median 92.7 13.2 μg/g Cr <0.01 . The +， + +， - + proportion of CD3 CD3CD4 CD3CD19 cells in peripheral blood and serum IgG level in the mercury exposed group （ P ）， - - （ P ） decreased all <0.05 and the serum TNF α and IL 8 levels increased all <0.01 compared with the control group. Urinary - + mercury level was negatively correlated with the proportion of CD3CD19 cells in peripheral blood and serum IgG level in the ［ （r） ， ， P ］， study subjects Spearman correlation coefficient S were −0.21 and −0.31 respectively all <0.05 and positively - - （r ， ， P ） ， correlated with serum TNF α and IL 8 levels S were 0.36 and 0.39 respectively all <0.05 . However the urinary mercury （ P ）， +， + +， level was neither correlated with IgA and IgM levels in serum all >0.05 nor with the proportion of CD3 CD3CD4 + + （ P ） Conclusion CD3CD8 cells in peripheral blood all >0.05 . Occupational exposure to mercury can lead to abnormal ， changes in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets B lymphocytes and serum immune factors in workers. The mercury load of occupational mercury exposure workers may impact their immune function.

OBJECTIVETo compare balance ability between elderly individuals who practiced Tai-Chi-Chuan (TCC) for average 9.64 years and elderly individuals who did not practice TCC and its relationship with lower extremity muscle strength and ankle proprioception.

METHODSTwenty-five elderly volunteers were divided into two groups according to their TCC practcing experience. Sixteen were TCC group and the other nine were control population. Subjects completed a static balance test and ankle proprioception test using a custom-designed evaluation system, and concentric and eccentric knee extensor and flexor muscle strength tests. Subjects stood on the plate form to measure the proprioception in functional standing position which was differed from the previous studies. Multiple linear regressions were also used to predict the important factor affecting balance.

RESULTSTCC group performed better than the control group in balance, proprioception, and muscle strength of lower extremity. The proprioception was the most important factor related to balance ability and it can be accounted for explaining 44% of variance in medial-lateral sway direction, and 53% of variance in antero-posterior sway direction. The proprioception may be a more important factor which affecting the balance ability.

CONCLUSIONTCC training is recommended to the elders; as it can improve balance ability through better proprioception.

Aged ; Ankle Joint ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Kinesthesis ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; physiology ; Postural Balance ; physiology ; Posture ; physiology ; Proprioception ; physiology ; Tai Ji

BACKGROUNDThe neurogenic bladder dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury is difficult to treat clinically. The aim of this research was to establish an artificial bladder reflex arc in rats through abdominal reflex pathway above the level of spinal cord injury, reinnervate the neurogenic bladder and restore bladder micturition.

METHODSThe outcome was achieved by intradural microanastomosis of the right T13 ventral root to S2 ventral root with autogenous nerve grafting, leaving the right T13 dorsal root intact. Long-term function of the reflex arc was assessed from nerve electrophysiological data and intravesical pressure tests during 8 months postoperation. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing was performed to observe the effectiveness of the artificial reflex.

RESULTSSingle stimulus (3 mA, 0.3 ms pulses, 20 Hz, 5-second duration) on the right T13 dorsal root resulted in evoked action potentials, raised intravesical pressures and bladder smooth muscle, compound action potential recorded from the right vesical plexus before and after the spinal cord transaction injury between L5 and S4 segmental in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats. There were HRP labelled cells in T13 ventral horn on the experimental side and in the intermediolateral nucleus on both sides of the L6-S4 segments after HRP injection. There was no HRP labelled cell in T13 ventral horn on the control side.

CONCLUSIONUsing the surviving somatic reflex above the level of spinal cord injury to reconstruct the bladder autonomous reflex arc by intradural microanastomosis of ventral root with a segment of autologous nerve grafting is practical in rats and may have clinical applications for humans.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Animals ; Atropine ; pharmacology ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reflex, Abdominal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Trimethaphan ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze factors influencing prognosis and to develop a prognosis predicting model for patients with chronic severe hepatitis.

METHODSClinical data from 408 patients suffering from chronic severe hepatitis were divided into improved group and deteriorated group. The main clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed as predictive factors of prognosis with logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSIt was shown that age, sex, TBil, DBil, [Cl-], [Na+], WBC, MCV, PT, NH3, PTA, and BUN were different between the two groups with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The prognosis predicting model was P = 1/(1 + e(-y)), Y = -4.636 + 0.022X1 + 0.034X2 + 0.096X3 + 0.047X4 - 0.042X5, (X1-age, X2-TBil, X3-BUN, X4-MCV, X5-PTA).

CONCLUSIONAge, TBil, BUN, MCV and PTA are the independent risk factors related to prognosis of chronic severe hepatitis.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors