Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukotrienes ; immunology ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Respiratory Sounds ; drug effects ; immunology ; physiopathology

To evaluate the immunogenicity of inactivated SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), three groups of rabbits were immunized three times at 2-week intervals with inactivated vaccine + adjuvant, adjuvant,and normal saline respectively. Eight batchs of serum were sampled from the auricular vein at day 7 to day 51, and specific IgG antibody titers and neutralizing antibody titers were detected by indirect ELISA and micro-cytopathic effect neutralizing test. Antibody specificity was identified by proteinchip assay.Histopathological changes were detected by H&E staining. The results showed that, rabbits in the experimental group immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV all generated specific IgG antibodies with neutralizing activity, which suggested the inactivated SARS-CoV could preserve its antigenicity well and elicit an effective humoral immune responses. The peak titer value of specific IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody reached 1:40960 and 1:2560 respectively. In the experimental group, no obvious histopathological changes was detected in the H&E stained slides of heart, spleen, kidney and testis samples, but the livers had slight histopathological changes, and the lungs presented remarkable histopathological changes. These findings are of importance for SARS-CoV inactivated vaccine development.

OBJECTIVETo search for the best program for treatment of peripheral nerve incomplete injury.

METHODSNinety cases were randomly divided into a treatment group, a control group I and a control group II, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with electroacupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), etc. plus functional training, and the control group I with electroacupuncture and the control group H with functional training. After treatment for 3 months, basic function, practical function, EMG, nerve conduction velocity were compared among the 3 groups.

RESULTSThe good rate of basic function of 50.0%, the curemarkedly effective rate of practical function of 50.0% and the total effective rate of neurophysiology of 64.3% in the treatment group were better than 20.7%, 17.2%, 41.4% in the control group I (P < 0.05) and 23.3%, 20.0% and 36.O7% in the control group II (P 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with functional training can accelerate nervous repair, promote functional recovery of the denervated muscles, so as to shorten the restoring time of nerve-muscle and increase life quality of the patient.

Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Upper Extremity ; innervation

3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1), the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) inhibitor, suppresses tumor proliferation and metastasis by down-regulating HIF-1α expression under hypoxic conditions. Our previous studies demonstrated that YC-1 inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation under normoxic conditions. In the current study, we investigated the targets of YC-1 and mechanism of its action in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells. In the in vitro experiments, we found that YC-1 significantly inhibited MDA-MB-468 cell proliferation in normoxia and hypoxia. Under normoxic conditions, YC-1 induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-468 cells and blocked cell cycle in the G1 phase, and these effects were possibly related to caspase 8, p21, and p27 expression. RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that YC-1 primarily inhibited HIF-1α at the mRNA and protein levels under hypoxic conditions, but suppressed the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) at the mRNA and protein levels under normoxic conditions. In vivo, YC-1 prolonged survival, increased survival rate, decreased tumor size and metastasis rate, and inhibited tissue EGFR and HIF-1α expression. However, YC-1 exerted no obvious effect on body weight. These results indicate that YC-1 inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB-468 cells by acting on multiple targets with minimal side effects. Thus, YC-1 is a promising target drug for breast cancer.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; G1 Phase ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the hazards of gem dusts and the epidemiological features of the occurrence of gem worker's silicosis (GWS).

METHODSEpidemiological investigation in a gem factory in Guangdong province was carried out.

RESULTSThe average dusts concentration in workshop was 2.3 mg/m(3), average free silica content was 94.64%. There were 47 patients diagnosed as silicosis. The prevalence of GWS was 4.58% (47/ 1,027). The age of patients suffering from silicosis and the duration of dust exposure were (27.04 +/- 3.25) years and (4.67 +/- 1.17) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "q". The incidences of GWS complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis, spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary emphysema were 10.64%, 10.64%, 44.68% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe hazards of gem dust to workers might be serious. Higher incidence, younger age suffered from silicosis, shorter duration of dust exposure, more complications, and poorer prognosis in gem workers appeared to be the main epidemiological features of GWS in Guangdong.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; poisoning ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Silicosis ; epidemiology ; etiology

BACKGROUNDThe bacterial composition of periapical lesions in deciduous teeth has not been well documented. This study was designed to explore the bacterial compositions, especially the dominant bacteria in periapical lesions using 16S rRNA sequencing.

METHODSTissue samples were collected from 11 periapical lesions in deciduous teeth with primary endodontic infections. DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed using 16S rRNA cloning and sequencing for the identification of bacteria.

RESULTSAll DNA samples were positive for 16S rRNA gene PCR. One hundred and fifty-one phylotypes from 810 clones were identified to eight phyla, and each sample contained an average of 25.9 phylotypes. In addition, 59 phylotypes were detected in more than two samples, and Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum (8/11), Dialister (D.) invisus (8/11), Campylobacter (C.) gracilis (7/11), Escherichia (E.) coli DH1 (6/11), Aggregatibacter (A.) segnis (6/11), and Streptococcus (S.) mitis (6/11) were the most prevalent species. Furthermore, 45 as-yet-uncultivated phylotypes were also identified.

CONCLUSIONSChronic periapical lesions in deciduous teeth contained polymicrobial infections. F. nucleatum, D. invisus, C. gracilis, E. coli DH1, A. segnis, and S. mitis were the most prevalent species detected by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Periapical Tissue ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Tooth, Deciduous ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between leukotriene expression in blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children with asthma.

METHODSThirty-two children with asthma (5-12 years) and ten healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The asthmatic children were subdivided into ICS well-controlled and ICS poorly-controlled groups based on their clinical symptoms and lung function. The level of leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) mRNA in PMNL was detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The level of LTC4S mRNA was expressed by the value of qCt, and the value of qCt was diversely correlated with the level of LTC4S mRNA expression. The concentration of urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) was measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe expression of LTC4S mRNA in PMNL was significantly higher in children with asthma (qCt: 1.12+/-0.27) than that in the control group (qCt: 1.42+/-0.12; P< 0.05). The expression of LTC4S mRNA in PMNL in the ICS poorly-controlled group (qCt: 1.03+/-0.17) was significantly higher than that in the ICS well-controlled group (qCt: 1.24+/-0.33; P< 0.05) and the control group(1.42+/-0.12; P< 0.01). There was no significant difference in the level of urinary LTE4 among the the ICS poorly-controlled, the ICS well-controlled and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONSLTC4S mRNA expression in PMNL in asthmatic children increases, and the LTC4S mRNA expression in the ICS poorly-controlled group is higher than that in the ICS well-controlled group. This suggests that an increased leukotriene expression might be associated with poorly-controlled asthma.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukotriene E4 ; urine ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; blood

BACKGROUNDActive suppression by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes plays an important role in the down-regulation of T cell responses to foreign and self-antigens. This study was conducted to analyze whether the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells exist and function normally in tuberculous pleural effusion.

METHODSThe percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells in pleural effusion and peripheral blood from patients with tuberculous pleurisy and peripheral blood from healthy control subjects were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 was also examined. CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25(-) T cells from pleural effusion and blood were isolated, and were cultured to observe the effects of CD4+CD25+ T cells on proliferation response of CD4+CD25(-) T cells in vitro.

RESULTSThere were increased numbers of CD4+CD25+ T cells in tuberculous pleural effusion compared with peripheral blood from both patients with tuberculous pleurisy and normal subjects, and these cells demonstrated a constitutive high-level expression of Foxp3. Moreover, CD4+CD25+ T cells mediated potent inhibition of proliferation response of CD4+CD25(-) T cells.

CONCLUSIONThe increased CD4+CD25+ T cells in tuberculous pleural effusion express a high level of Foxp3 transcription factor, while potently suppressing the proliferation of CD4+CD25(-) T cells.

Adult ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; analysis ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; etiology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; physiology ; Tuberculosis, Pleural ; etiology ; immunology

AIMTo study the integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into sperm chromosomes in hepatitis B patients and the features of its integration.

METHODSSperm chromosomes of 14 subjects (5 healthy controls and 9 HB patients, including 1 acute hepatitis B, 2 chronic active hepatitis B, 4 chronic persistent hepatitis B, 2 HBsAg chronic carriers with no clinical symptoms) were prepared using interspecific in vitro fertilization between zona-free hamster oocytes and human spermatozoa. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to sperm chromosome spreads was carried out with biotin-labeled full length HBV DNA probe to detect the specific HBV DNA sequences in the sperm chromosomes.

RESULTSSpecific fluorescent signal spots for HBV DNA were seen in sperm chromosomes of one patient with chronic persistent hepatitis B. In 9 (9/42) sperm chromosome complements containing fluorescent signal spots, one presented 5 obvious FISH spots and the others 2 to 4 signals. The fluorescence intensity showed significant difference among the signal spots. The distribution of signal sites among chromosomes seems to be random.

CONCLUSIONHBV could integrate into human sperm chromosomes. Results suggest that the possibility of vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line to the next generation is present.

Adult ; Chromosomes, Human ; genetics ; virology ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; virology ; Virus Integration

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the characteristics of variation and the genetic evolution of non-structural protein (NS1, NS2) genes related to avian influenza subtype H5N1 viruses isolated from the boundary region of Yunnan province.

METHODSSwab samples were collected from foreign poultry and wild birds in the boundary regions of Yunnan province and screened by H5/N1 subtype-specific multiplex RT-PCR. The NS segment of H5N1 virus from the positive samples were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pMD18-T vectors for sequencing. The alignment and phylogenetic analysis on those available NS1, NS2 genes were performed with sequences of the known reference strains.

RESULTS71 positive samples were identified from 1240 samples, with the positive rate as 5.72%. Fourteen different NS segment sequences were obtained from 30 representative positive samples and could be divided into 3 distinct clades or sub-clades (I-1, I-2 and II), by phylogenetic analysis. The NS1/NS2 genes and Hemagglutinin (HA) genes of H5N1 viruses from the boundary regions of Yunnan province showed different relationships regarding the characteristics on genetic evolution. The substitution or mutation of key amino acids sites had been noticed in the nuclear location signal domains, effect domain, and other pathogenicity markers.

CONCLUSIONNS genes of H5N1 subtype viruses in boundary region of Yunnan province showed genetic divergence and the virus of clade I-2 and II had become dominant epidemic strains in this region since 2010.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Birds ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; epidemiology ; virology ; Phylogeny