The mainly antigenic sites for the adenovirus neutraliation are present on Loop1 and Loop2 of hexon.Majority research were focus in the human adenovirus.Little was known on infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICHV), which was also called canine adenovirus typeⅠ.Here,ICHV (the isolated strain) DNA was isolated and purified from the cultured MDCK cells.The Loop1 and Loop2 fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method,and then was connected by ligase T4.The target fragment was then connected with vector pET28a.The nucleotide sequence ecoding Loop1 and Loop2 was determined.The nucleotide sequence identity of Loop1 region between the isolated strain and CLL, RI261 and Toronto A26/61 strains is 100%, 100% and 83.8%, and the nucleotide sequence identity of Loop2 region between the isolated strain and CLL, RI261 and Toronto A26/61 strains is 88.1% , 88.1% and 99.3%, and amino acid identity is 93.6%, 93.6% and 98.6%.The recombinant Loop protein was expressed in E.coli and was approximately 36kDa in size,and then was purified. Then BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously in the back and armpit with the recombinant Loop protein.The anti-ICHV antibody titers of immunized serum was tested by indirect ELISA and the titers were up to 1:320.Western blot demonstrated that immunized sera could specifically combine with ICHV. The research laid a foundation for creating new genetic engineering products of infectious canine hepatitis virus.

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyze the causes of death in elderly patients with hypertension in a hospital-based population from 1993 to 2012.

METHODSDuring the study period of over 19 years, a total of 2866 cases of death in 25238 hospitalized hypertensive patients with the age of 60 years or older were documented. Age, gender, complications, cause of death and other relevant variables were collected. All patients were divided into different subgroups according to gender, age or hypertension stage and risk stratification. The mortality of elderly hypertensive patients was analyzed using chi-square test.

RESULTS(1) Target organ damage (TOD) associated with hypertension was present in a substantial proportion of elderly patients. The complications related to death were heart disease (45.15%), stroke (34.37%), renal failure (11.88%), infective disease (4.58%), and cancer (4.06%). (2) Mortality in male elderly hypertension was higher than in women (53.31% vs 46.69%). The percentage of deaths from heart disease and stroke were higher in men than those in women (heart disease: 46.73% vs 43.35%; stroke: 37.04% vs 31.32%). (3) Age-specific constituent ratio of cause of death showed that deaths from stroke were significantly lower in very old patients (> or = 90 years) than in patients with 60-79 years of age (P < 0.01). In addition, deaths from heart disease, renal failure and infection disease were significantly lower in patients with more than 90 years than other patients. Deaths from cancer were highest in patients with 70-79 years of age (P < 0.01). (4) When compared with patients at stage 1 and 2 hypertension, subjects at stage 3 were more likely to die from stroke (P < 0.01) and renal failure (P < 0.05), while less likely to die from heart disease and cancer (P < 0.01). Patients in high and very high risk stratification of hypertension, compared with subjects in low and medium risk were likely to die from renal failure (P < 0.01) whereas less likely to die from heart disease (P < 0.05) and stroke (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPrevalence of complication and TOD is high in elderly hypertensive inpatients, especially in deaths. The male patients and 60- 79-year-old patients have a higher percentage of causes of death. The stage and risk stratification of hypertension are associated with constituent ratios of the causes of death.

Aged ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; mortality ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; mortality

Animals ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Rats

AIM:To investigate the potential role of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathways in the radioresistance of esophageal cancer.METHODS:Radioresistant cell line Eca109R was established by repeating X-ray irradiation at dose of 60 Gy in total using Eca109 cells as parental cells.The radiosensitivity of the parental and radioresistant cells was confirmed by colony formation assay.The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay.The intracellular protein levels of Shh and Gli1 were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence.RESULTS:The survival fractions at dose of 2 Gy for Eca109R cells and Eca109 cells were 0.937±0.013 and 0.499±0.042, respectively.The inhibitory rate of cell viability decreased gradually in the Eca109R cells (P<0.05), suggesting that the radioresistant cell line was successfully established.The results of Western blot indicated that the protein expression of Shh and Gli1 was much higher in the Eca109R cells than that in the Eca109 cells (P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that Gli1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and presented nuclear clustering in the Eca109R cells.The positive rate of Gil1 expression in Eca109 cells was 52.3%± 0.035%, while that in Eca109R cells was 87.6%±0.021% (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The radioresistance of esophageal cancer may be related to the activation of Shh signaling pathways with over-expression of Gli1 and other related proteins.

The primary object of this fundamental research was to survey the synergistic cardiovascular effects of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, and clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium antagonists, thiazide diuretics and β receptor blockers by a 2 x 2 factorial-design experiment. It would provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combined antihypertensive therapy program after iptakalim is applied to the clinic. Amlodipine besylate, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol were chosen as clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac functions were observed in anesthetized normal rats by an eight-channel physiological recorder. The results showed that iptakalim monotherapy in a low dose could produce significant antihypertensive effect. There was no interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P > 0.05). However, the effects of combination iptakalim/amlodipine on the maximal changes of SBP, DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP were more obvious than those of iptakalim or amlodipine monotherapy. And there was strong positive interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of HR (P>0.05). According to the maximal changes of DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP (P < 0.05) of combination iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide, there was strong positive interaction between them. But there was no interaction between iptakalim and hydrochlorothiazide on the maximal drop of SBP and HR (P > 0.05). According to the maximal drops of DBP, MABP of combination iptakalim with propranolol, there was strong positive interaction between them (P < 0.05). But there was no interaction between iptakalim and propranolol on the maximal changes of SBP, LVSP, LVEDP and HR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was the first time to study the effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol, which had different mechanisms of action from iptakalim, on cardiovascular effects of iptakalim in anesthetized normal rats. This study proved that the combination of iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol respectively had significant synergism on lowering blood pressure, while the combination of iptakalim/amlodipine had additive action on lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile the antihypertensive effect was explicit, stable and long-lasting. Iptakalim thus appears suitable for the clinical treatment of hypertensive people who need two or more kinds of antihypertensive agents.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats

The post-operative patellar tendon length was studied to evaluate the possible tendon length change after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autografts.The Insall-Salvati index,modified Insall-Salvati index,curved modified Insall-Salvati index and Caton-Deschamps index were observed by MRI during a follow-up period of 12 weeks on 20 ACL reconstructed knees.The results showed no patellar baja or alta pre-existed on those ACL injured patients.After a follow-up period of 12 weeks,no patellar tendon length change was observed.It is suggested that the change of patella was not the primary reason that may contribute to the premature patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction.

Background Researches showed that the incidence rate of cataract is high in the nickel mining area. Nickel sulphate can apparently inhibit the metabolism and proliferation of human lens epithelium cells. But the study on the injury mechanism of nickel on lens is still seldom. Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of nickel sulphate on the lens of SD rats. Methods Forty-five SPF SD rats aged from 7 to 14 days were grouped randomly into subcutaneous injection group, intraperitoneal injection group and blank group. Nickel sulphate of 2 g/L ( 10 mg/kg) was subcutaneously or intraperitonealy injected for 45 days. The opacity of rat lens was examined under the slit lamp at two-week interval and scored based on the criteria of LOCS II and LOCS III. The rats were sacrificed in 45 days after experiment and the lens were obtained for the pathological examination. Result The mean score of the anterior subcapsule opacity of rat lens was obviously higher in subcutaneous injection group compared with blank control group with a significant difference between them (t= 14. 311, P < 0. 05 ) , but no significant difference in the anterior subcapsule opacity between intraperitoneal injection group and blank control group (t = 4. 355 , P>0. 05 ). The score of posterior subcapsule opacity of lens were evidently higher in both subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group (t = 9. 316,P = 0. 004;t = 7. 464, P = 0. 009) ,so was the mean score of the anterior +posterior subcapsule opacities(t = 23. 387,P=0. 000;t= 10. 533,P = 0. 002) and the total score of rat lens opacity ( t = 12. 358 , P = 0. 001; t = 10. 188 , P = 0. 003 ) . No significant differences were found in cortex opacity score and nuclear opacity score among three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Histopathology examination revealed that the degeneration of lens collagen protein was more serious in subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group,and the injury degree of lens collagen protein was more dominant in subcutaneous injection group. Conclusion System administration of nickel sulphate induced the injury of anterior and posterior subcapsule of lens in SD rat.

To examine if polyprotein gene (VP2/VP4/VP3) of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) could be delivered into mammalian cells and expressed using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as vector. The IBDV polyprotein gene was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted in to pCI, an eukaryotic expression plasmid. The resulting recombinant pCI-VP2/VP4/VP3 was transformed by electroporation into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain ZJ111 (dam- and phoP-), which was then use to transfect the Vero cells. Gene specific RT-PCR revealed that VP2/VP4/VP3 was transcribed into mRNA in the Vero cells. Indirect immunofluorscence assay, SDS-PAGE and Western-blot analysis showed that VP2/VP4/VP3 was expressed and the product was immuno-reactive with anti-IBDV serum. This work provides essential precondition for developing a new oral DNA vaccine against IBDV.
Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Electroporation ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyproteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhimurium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vero Cells ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Objective To investigate the glucose tolerance and ability of insulin secretion in SD rats in second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Methods SD rats with pregnancy of 15 d were selected as experimental group(n=6),and another 6 rats of the same batch without pregnancy were served as controls(n=6).Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance trials(IPGTT) were conducted in these two groups.Rat islets were isolated after in situ collagenase digestion through pancreatic duct perfusion,islet morphology was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope,and insulin secretion was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results It was revealed by IPGTT that the levels of glucose at 30,60,90 and 120 min were significantly lower in experimental group than those in control group(P

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), in order to provide scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in elderly patients.Methods:Clinical data of 102 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the B11 East Ward of the Zhongfaxincheng campus and the E1-3 ward of the Guanggu Campus of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan from 1 February 2020 to 28 February 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Patients were categorized into 2 groups: the elderly group(≥60 years old)and the young and middle-aged group(<60 years old). Differences in epidemiological features, demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory results and imaging findings between the two groups were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among 102 patients with COVID-19, 58 were in the elderly group(≥60 years old), with a median age of 67.0(63.8, 71.0)years old, and 44 in the young and middle-aged group(<60 years old), with a median age of 47.5(38.0, 51.8)years old.There was no significant difference in gender ratio between the two groups( χ2=0.033, P=0.855). Of 102 patients, 42.0%(21/50)had close contact with an infected person, 14.0%(7/50)were from infection clusters, and 18.0%(9/50)had suspected hospital-acquired infections.Fever and cough remained the most common symptoms, but gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, poor appetite, diarrhea and muscle cramps were also warning signs.Fatigue and cough were the most common presenting symptoms in elderly male patients.Bilateral patchy infiltrates(57.9%, 22/38)and ground-glass opacities(42.1%, 16/38)were the main imaging features and 42.1%(16/38)patients had multiple areas of the lungs involved.Over 50% patients had increased levels of blood glucose, D-dimer, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, multiple cytokines and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, as well as decreased levels of albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes and serum calcium.Compared with the young and middle-aged group, the elderly group had higher rates of abnormality in levels of D-dimer and serum calcium( χ2=7.067 and 4.166, P=0.008 and 0.041). Conclusions:Fever and cough are the most common symptoms in elderly patients with COVID-19.Elderly patients with COVID-19 have multiple abnormalities in clinical laboratory test results, which show a certain level of specificity compared with young and middle-aged patients.