OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effects of azithromycin in treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis in children.

METHODSDefinite diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis was made on the basis of clinical manifestation combined with one or more positive results of the following laboratory tests and excluded other congenital infectious diseases: toxoplasma DNA (TOX-DNA), circulating toxoplasma antigen (TOX-CAG), and toxoplasma IgM antibody (TOX-IgM). All the patients were given oral azithromycin 10 mg/(kg.d) for 6 days followed by 8 days without medication (one course of treatment), and the regimen was persisted for 2 months and then another 2-month treatment was given at a 1-month interval. The authors continued to provide further treatment according to the state of the illness at one month interval. The patients received 2 to 8 (average 5) courses of treatment. The patients were followed-up for 2.5 to 5 (average 4) years.

RESULTSThe treatment was effective in all the patients and the patient's condition was improved. The authors repeated in 12 cases the four tests for toxoplasma (TOX-DNA, TOX-CAG, TOX-IgM, and TOX-IgG) 9 months to one and a half years after treatment. In 10 cases all these tests showed negative results, in 2 cases TOX-IgG was positive and in the other 4 cases symptoms disappeared.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the study showed that oral azithromycin had significant therapeutic effects with little side effect and was well tolerated. Azithromycin may become an alternative therapy in treatment of congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection in children.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Azithromycin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prognosis ; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo prepare monoclonal antibody (mAb) against prM epitope.

METHODSThe gene encoding prM was isolated using RT-PCR from brain of JEV infected mouse and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a. Recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21/DE3/LysS, then the transformed cells were expressed with the induction of IPTG. The expression and purification of the prM protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The BALB/c mice were immunized with purified prM protein. Hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against prM were established after cell fusion of mouse splenic cell and P3-X63-Ag8.653 cells. The specificity of mAb was identified by ELISA, Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSmAb against prM epitope of JEV was prepared successfully.

CONCLUSIONThe obtained prM specific mAb was valuable for the prevention and dignosis of Japanese encephalitis.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Specificity ; BALB 3T3 Cells ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; genetics ; immunology ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification

AIMTo further uncover the possible mechanism of quercetin-mediated inhibitory effect on prostate cancer cells.

METHODSThe cell extracts treated with quercetin or without treatment were used for checking protein expression levels of c-Jun and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) by Western blotting assay. Regulatory effects of c-Jun and CBP on the function of androgen receptor (AR) were examined by cotransfection experiment. Finally, a physical interaction of c-Jun and the AR was investigated by coimmunoprecipitation.

RESULTSQuercetin dramatically induced the protein expression of c-Jun which in turn inhibited the AR function. Meanwhile, quercetin had no detectable effect on CBP expression, and the results of transient transfection demonstrated that the ectopic CBP stimulated the transcriptional activity of AR, whereas CBP-mediated stimulation could be attenuated by quercetin. Furthermore, physical interaction of c-Jun and the AR was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation result.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of c-Jun induced by quercetin had inhibitory effect on the function of AR protein, and increased CBP expression did not reverse the inhibition by quercetin. Together, quercetin-mediated inhibition on the AR function might be not by competition with limited amount of CBP in the cell, but through a direct association of c-Jun and the AR.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; CREB-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo measure the axial rotation angles of the carpometacarpal joints during the digital opposition of thumb-index finger, thumb-medial finger, thumb-ring finger, thumb-little finger and the thumb's maximal opposition, then the application of these parameters were studied.

METHODSTwenty neutrality-occupation volunteers (female 10, male 10) with no history of hand injuries or related diseases were involved in the study. First, all the markers' 3-D coordinates were obstained using the 3D motion analysis system (EVaRT4.1) during the digital opposition movements of thumb. Then, the axial rotation angles were calculated.

RESULTSThe average rotation angles of carpometacarpal joints during all kinds of digital oppositions were 29.1 degrees +/- 9.4 degrees (male), 24.8 degrees +/- 10.2 degrees (female), while the maximal rotation angles are: 35.3 degrees (male), 28.8 degrees (female).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of video-based 3-D analysis system and mathematics make it possible to measure the axial rotation angles of thumb in vivo, as a result, the rotation angles of thumb carpometacarpal joints are measured precisely for the first time. These results can provide a few parameters for treatment and rehabilitation of carpometacarpal arthrositis.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Finger Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Fluoroscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Movement ; physiology ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo understand the variation of Shiga toxin (stx) genes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains isolated in China.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identity the types of stx genes and the nucleotide sequences of the amplified stex variants genes were determined. Compare to the cytotoxicity of Stx,variants were tested by HeLa cell assay.

RESULTSWe found novel stx2 genes in 3 of 289 strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 isolated from 1999 to 2002 in China. The novel stx2 genes were inserted by a 1.3-kb insertion sequence (IS) and the nucleotide sequences of IS showed 100% homology with that of IS1203 variant (IS1203v). The IS1203v inserted in the stx2 genes of three E. coli O157:H7 strains at different sites and the direction of the open reading frames (ORFs) of IS1203v of each strain was different. In addition to the above mentioned findings, the nucleotide sequences of three stx2 genes were completely identical and the type of the three Stx2 was Stx2 prototype. Compare to the cytotoxicity of Stx2 prototype, the novel Stx2 was found to be obviously lower.

CONCLUSIONE. coli O157:H7 strains harboring stx2::IS1203v genes were isolated in China. Consequently, the results of HeLa cell assay showed that the insertion of IS1203v could lead to low cytotoxicity of Stx2.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Escherichia coli O157 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genes, Bacterial ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Shiga Toxin 2 ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid STR genotyping method for individual identification. METHODS: Two hundred blood samples from FTA were collected. Equal amount of blood were collected by puncher and analyzed using two methods (6+1 STR kit in combination with EX-Q20 electrophoresis and Sinofiler kit in combination with POP4 electrophoresis). Consuming time and results of two methods were compared. RESULTS: 6+1 STR kit in combination with EX-Q20 electrophoresis method can obtain all genotyping results and be shorter time. CONCLUSION 6+1 STR kit in combination with EX-Q20 electrophoresis method is used to STR genotyping with accurate, reliable results and this new method is potential value in mass personnel investigation and comparison in major criminal cases. It also can raise the work efficiency.
Alleles ; Blood Stains ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA Primers ; Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques/methods* ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit. METHODS: One thousand nine hundred and forty-eight samples (including samples spotted on FTA cards, filter papers and case samples) were tested using Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit. At the same time, all were tested using Sinofiler kit, Identifiler kit and PowerPlex 16 kit respectively for comparison. The genotypes were compared at the same STR loci among these four kits to test the sensitivity and accuracy of Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit. RESULTS: 97.79% samples were successfully typed using Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit. The genotype profiles of the same samples using Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit were consistent with Sinofiler kit, Identifiler kit and PowerPlex 16 kit at the same STR loci. CONCLUSION Expressmarker 22 STR loci direct PCR amplification kit can provide huge information and accurate results
Alleles ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genetic Loci/genetics* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases(CVD)in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods:A total of 281 OSAHS patients admitted in Second People's Hospital of Huai'an City between May 2020 and March 2022 were selected and divided into CVD group(n=63)and no CVD group(n=218)according to presence of CVD.The OSAHS general data questionnaire designed by the re-search group was used to investigate the patients and univariate analysis was carried out,and the clinically significant single factors were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Influencing factors for CVD in OSAHS patients were analyzed.Results:Compared with no CVD group,patients in CVD group had significant higher age,body mass index(BMI),fasting plasma glucose(FPG)level,proportions of CVD family history,dyslipidemia and severe OSAHS(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that age,BMI,dyslipi-demia,FPG and severe OSAHS were independent risk factors for CVD in OSAHS patients(OR=2.213～2.482,P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Conclusion:Age,BMI,dyslipidemia,FPG and severe OSAHS are independent risk factors of CVD in OSAHS patients.Individualized prevention and control strategies can be formulated according to above fac-tors in clinic,which is of great significance for prevention of CVD occurrence.

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility of the 10 microg recombination yeast hepatitis B vaccine in the expanded applicable population group aged 5 - 18.

METHODSPeople with both HBsAg and anti-HBs negative were selected to take two-stage clinical experiment and the safety and immunogenicity were observed. Safety observation was conducted in 925 subjects, while 568 for immunogenicity. The observation group (aged 5 - 18) included 493 subjects, and (age > 18) 75 enrolled in control group. For the observation group, there were three sub-groups including a child group (141, aged 5 - 6), early youth group (177, aged 12 - 13), and youth group (175, aged 16 - 18). Both groups were administered with 10 microg recombination yeast hepatitis B vaccines with 3 doses at 0 month, 1st month, 6th month. To assess the immunogenicity, the vaccination reactions were observed during the following 4 weeks in order to assess the vaccine safety. The blood samples were taken during 4 - 6 weeks after fully vaccinated, and then anti-HBs were tested with RIA and analyzed by comparing the positive rate of anti-HBs, the geometric mean titer (GMT) and the protective rate between the two groups.

RESULTSBoth observation and control group didn't show any general reactions, adverse events following immunization (AEFI) or coincidental cases when observed at 0.5 h, 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks after being vaccinated. The result of serum test showed, the positive rates of child group, early youth group, youth group and control group were respectively 100.00% (141/141), 97.18% (172/177), 98.29% (172/175) and 89.33% (67/75); the GMTs of anti-HBs were respectively 440.28, 875.38, 467.80, 131.06 U/L; the protective rates were respectively 100.00% (141/141), 97.18% (172/177), 97.14% (170/175) and 86.67% (65/75). The positive rate, GMT and protective rate of the experimental group were all higher than that of control group (chi(2)(positive rate) = 12.77, 5.12, 7.99; t(GMT) = 3.89, 4.13, 5.91; chi(2)(protective rate) = 16.81, 8.60, 8.44; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis vaccine could be expanded to 5 - 18 year-old population with safety and effectiveness, the positive rate and protective rate of anti-HBs were both higher than that of control group.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic trend of specific antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV in serum collected at various periods among employees in Guangzhou Xinyuan animal market.

METHODSVolunteers from employees of the animal market were recruited and their serum specific antibody against SARS-CoV were determined by enzyme linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA) method.

RESULTSPositive SARS-CoV specific IgG antibody was found 25.61% (n = 328), 13.03% (n = 238), 12.59% (n = 135), 5.04% (n = 139) and 9.43% (n = 53) among volunteers, which were sampled in May 2003, Dec. 2003, Jan. 2004, July 2004 and June 2005 respectively. No specific IgM antibody was found in all of those samples. Among 129 samples which were tested twice or more, 97 were all negative, 18 all positive, 13 changed from positive to negative but only one sample from negative to positive. When the volunteers were divided by the duration of their working experiences as short-term or long-term, those who had worked at animal market for less than or more then 6 months when being tested, the positive rate for long-term employees were relatively constant, however, all of the persons employed after January 2004, when the palm civets and raccoon dogs were culled from the market, were tested negative.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of specific antibody against SARS-CoV in employees of the animal market were somehow related with the presence or absence of palm civet. No serum was tested positive for persons who were employed after palm civets and raccoon dogs were culled from market. This data indicated that the SARS-CoV might have been from the palm civets and raccoon dog, and the animal market seemed to serve as one of the sources of infection.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Commerce ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Raccoon Dogs ; virology ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; Viverridae ; virology