Toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It is anopportunistic zoonosis in warm-blooded animals and humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 16 (TgGRA16) can modulate some functions in host cells and is considered a significant virulent factor of the parasite. The present study reports sequence variation in TgGRA16 gene among T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations, and the construction of phylogenetic relationships of these T. gondii strains based on sequences of TgGRA16, and analysis of B cell epitopes in TgGRA16. Our results showed that all TgGRA16 gene sequences were 1518 bp and the C+G contents ranged from 52.17% to 52.59%. Sequence variation in the TgGRA16 gene was 0-1.51%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TgGRA16 gene sequence could not be used to differentiate the different T. gondii genotypes. Six B cell epitopes were predicted in TgGRA16. These results indicated that TgGRA16 gene is not an ideal marker for studying genetic relationships of T. gondii isolates, but may represent a good vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.

Purpose: We aimed to document the time of onset of ultrasonographic and histologic changes in the testes of a rat model following testicular torsion. Methods: Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. All animals underwent preoperative Doppler ultrasonography. Groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent unilateral surgical torsion of the testis lasting for 72, 24, and 6 hours, respectively. Group 4 underwent a sham operation. The animals were followed with Doppler ultrasonography at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Histologic examinations were performed at the designated final time point for each group. Results: After torsion, enlargement of the epididymal head and thickening of the spermatic cord over time were noted. Based on the ultrasonographic dimensions, the ratio of the epididymal volume increased with time following torsion (p=0.002). The torsed testes had an average weight gain of 0.27 g at 6 hours compared to the control testes, but an average weight loss of 0.22 g at 72 hours (P=0.006). Changes in testicular echotexture were noted as soon as 6 hours after torsion, but there was no consistent pattern of echotexture change thereafter. Histologically, viable tubules were seen 6 hours after torsion, while extensive hemorrhagic necrosis was found at 72 hours. Conclusion In evaluating testicular torsion, the enlargement ratio of the epididymis and thickening of the spermatic cord on Doppler ultrasonography may be useful for determining the urgency of immediate surgery. Changes in testicular echotexture may not be a reliable indicator of the time of onset.

ORF3 and partial ORF1 regions were amplified with RT-PCR f rom two patients (T1 and T11)infected with new genotype of hepatitis E Virus. Th e PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The results showed that G-C rich regi on in ORF3 was deleted when amplified with normal PCR reaction. However, PCR rea ction containing G-C melt solution can overcome this problem. The sequence anal ysis showed that T1 and T11 belong to a new genotype of HEV which differs from g enotype I,II and III reported.T1 and T11 have 79%～82%, 80%～81% and 83%～85% id entical to genotype I,II and III respectively.

Previous studies showed that crude antigens from Trichinella spiralis adult worms (AW) can be recognized by mouse infection sera at 8 days post infection. The aim of this study was to identify the early diagnostic antigenic bands in soluble proteins from T. spiralis AW by Western blot using early infection sera. The affecting factors of adult recovery were firstly observed in this study, and the results showed that the maximum number of adults was collected from small intestine when the female BALB/c mice were orally infected with 4000 ML and sacrificed at 3 days post infection. The results of Western blot analysis showed that seven protein bands (31, 35.1, 39, 40.6, 41.9, 47 and 50.6 kDa) could be recognized by early infection sera as early as at 8-10 days post infection, and were strongly reacted with mouse infection sera at 11-12 days post infection. Our results suggested that the seven protein bands of T. spiralis AW soluble proteins might be the early expressed antigens during the intestinal stage of Trichinella infection and therefore have potential value for the early diagnosis of trichinellosis.

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To investigate the hypoglycemic action and β-cell protective effect of salidroside in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice and cultured mouse islets.METHODS C57BL∕6J mice were injected with a single dose of 1 50 mg∕kg freshly prepared STZ with citrate buffer as control.The salidroside intervention with a dosage of 100 mg∕kg∕d was ini-tiated on the 8th day after STZ injection and conducted for 30 d.Fasting blood glucose levels were measured every five days. After 30 d treatment,the oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed,and blood samples were collected to detect plas-ma insulin concentrations.The isolated mouse islets were cultured with salidroside(50 μmol∕L) or DMSO for 3 d.Ki67 stai-ning and TUNEL assay were performed to investigate the effects of salidroside on β-cell proliferation and apoptosis.Mean-while,the mRNA levels of insulin,Pdx-1,GLP-1R and IL-1βin islets were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS Compared with the STZ group,salidroside displayed significantly hypoglycemic effects,together with increased plasma insulin contents as well as improved OGTT.The Ki67 staining in cultured islets showed the proliferation ofβ-cell was remarkably increased by salidro-side,while the β-cell apoptosis induced by high glucose was strongly inhibited by salidroside.Moreover,the mRNA levels of insulin,Pdx-1 and GLP-1R were up-regulated by salidroside significantly.However,the mRNA level of IL-1βwhich is a cyto-kine involved inβ-cell apoptosis was down-regulated by salidroside.CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that sali-droside can ameliorate the hyperglycemia in STZ diabetic mice by protecting β-cell survival with increased β-cell proliferation and decreasedβ-cell apoptosis.

This is the case of a 71 year old male who developed multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) within a two year period. The patient initially presented with osteolytic lesions of the lumbar spine, and following the initial work-up a diagnosis of multiple myeloma with an IgG kappa paraproteinemia was made and appropriate treatment was given. Two years later the patient developed a progressively worsening leukocytosis which was found to be due to Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph1) positive CML. The occurrence in the same patient of two distinct hematologic malignancies suggests a neoplastic transformation of a pluripotent stem cell. A review of the literature appears to support the existence of a relationship between MM and CML as well as a relationship between MM and the myeloproliferative disorders.
Aged ; Case Report ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/pathology ; Human ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic/*pathology ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma/*pathology

AIMTo design and synthesize new chiral 8-(substituted) amino-analogues of 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl] benzomorphans, to expand knowledge of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for 8-aminobenzomorphan.

METHODSTarget compounds were synthesized from the 8-triflate of the optically active 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-benzomorphans using Pd-catalyzed aminations. Opioid receptor binding experiments were performed to evaluate their biological activities.

RESULTSBoth 8-amino and 8-phenylamino analogues showed lower binding affinity for mu, delta and kappa receptors than corresponding 8-hydroxy-3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-benzomorphan in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe relative poor binding affinity of the target compounds did not warrant conducting the in vivo studies to determine if they have the profile(kappa agonist/mu antagonist) that will be potentially useful in the treatment of drug addiction. Further study is in progress.

Animals ; Benzomorphans ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Brain ; metabolism ; Furans ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Molecular Structure ; Narcotic Antagonists ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Radioligand Assay ; Receptors, Opioid ; metabolism ; Receptors, Opioid, delta ; metabolism ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; metabolism ; Receptors, Opioid, mu ; metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo observe two-year natural progression of chronic periodontitis in mild, moderate and advanced periodontitis patients.

METHODSThe periodontal status of 169 untreated chronic periodontitis patients aged from 22 to 64, were examined for two years. Periodontal measurements were performed on all teeth except the third molars and 6 sites examined for each tooth. Probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were measured at baseline, one year, and two year by a same experienced periodontist. Forty-five patients were diagnosed as having mild periodontitis, 87 with moderate, and 37 with advanced periodontitis. The changes of attachment level in these three group patients were analyzed. The site with change of AL greater than 3 mm (DeltaAL > or = 3 mm) were defined as periodontal disease activity (PDA) sites. The occurrence of PDA in three groups was compared.

RESULTS(1) The average AL levels at 1 year and at 2 year were greater than that at baseline in mild, moderate and advanced periodontitis. (2) The percentage of sites with AL > or = 1 mm in three groups all increased from baseline to 1 year and to 2 year. (3) The occurrence of periodontal disease activity increased significantly from mild (0.14% at site level, 15.56% at subject level), moderate (0.39%, 29.89%) to advanced (0.73%, 43.24%) periodontitis patients. (4) The mean baseline AL and PD levels in active sites were greater than that in inactive sites (PD: 3.03 +/- 0.45 vs. 2.87 +/- 0.38, P < 0.05; AL: 2.25 +/- 0.93 vs. 1.77 +/- 0.90, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONUntreated advanced periodontitis patients were the risk population for further periodontal breakdown.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontal Attachment Loss ; diagnosis ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; diagnosis ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore anti-inflammation and mechanism of Qinghuachang Decoction (QD) by using LPS stimulated differentiated colon cancer Caco-2 cells (as an inflammation model of human enterocytes).

METHODSQD was prepared. Human colonic epithelial Caco-2 cells were cultured. Expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were determined using ELISA. Expressions of inhibitory Kaba protein (IkappaB-alpha), phosphorylated inhibitory Kaba protein (p-lkappaB-alpha), nuclear transcription factor p50 (p50), and nuclear transcription factor ReIA (ReIA) protein were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group (without LPS stimulation), LPS stimulated the release of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in Caco-2 cells (P < 0.05). QD treatment could reduce the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-8 induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). QD at 0, 5, 10, and 50 microg/mL had no significant effect on Caco-2 cell survival rates (P > 0.05), with no statistical difference among various concentrations (P > 0.05). QD could significantly suppress nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) phosphorylation stimulated by LPS. The expression of p-IKappaB-alpha was decreased with increasing concentrations of QD (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in IKB-alphaB expressions (P > 0.05). Expressions of p50 and ReIA decreased with increasing concentrations of QD (P < 0.05). Both of them were in a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONQD inhibited LPS mediated NF-kappaB activation, which might be one of its mechanisms for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Caco-2 Cells ; Colon ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enterocytes ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-8 ; Lipopolysaccharides ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

INTRODUCTIONThe relationship between electrocardiograph (ECG) changes and troponin levels after the emergency orthopaedic surgery are not well characterised. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between ECG changes (ischaemia or arrhythmia), troponin elevations perioperatively and cardiac complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODSOne hundred and eighty-seven orthopaedic patients over 60 years of age were prospectively tested for troponin I and ECGs were performed on the fi rst 3 postoperative mornings or until discharge.

RESULTSThe incidences of pre- and postoperative troponin elevation were 15.5% and 37.4% respectively, the majority were asymptomatically detected. Most of the patients who sustained a troponin rise did not have any concomitant ECG changes (51/70 or 72.9%). Postoperative ECG changes were noted in 18.4% (34/185) and of those with ECG changes, slightly more than half (55.9%) had a troponin elevation. Most ECG changes occurred on postoperative day 1 and were non-ST elevation in type. ECG changes occurred more frequently with higher troponin levels. Postoperative troponin elevation (P = 0.018) and not preoperative troponin level (P = 0.060) was associated with ECG changes on univariate analysis. Two premorbid factors were predictors of postoperative ECG changes using multivariate logistical regression; age [odds ratio (OR), 1.05; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.100, P = 0.029) and sex OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.069 to 5.446, P = 0.034). Twenty patients sustained postoperative cardiac complications; 9 (45%) were associated with ECG changes and 16 (80%) with postoperative troponin elevation. Pre- or postoperative troponin elevation better predicted cardiac complications compared with preoperative ECG changes.

CONCLUSIONElectrocardiograph changes do not necessarily accompany troponin elevations after the emergency orthopaedic surgery but are more likely to have higher troponin levels. The best predictor of postoperative cardiac complications is troponin elevation.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; mortality ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Ischemia ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; mortality ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Postoperative Complications ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; mortality ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors ; Single-Blind Method ; Troponin I ; blood