Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genes, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

A full-length cDNA of GGPPS gene from Tripterygium wilfordii suspension cells was obtained by use of RACE strategy (GeneBank: KM978333), and then analyzed by bioinformatics approaches. TwGGPPS cDNA has 1857 nucleotides and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 514 amino acid residues. The deduced protein has isoelectric point (pI) of 7.85, a calculated molecular weight about 57.13 kD, 5 conserved domains and 2 functional domains. PSORT Prediction showed it was located at plasma membrane. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that TwGGPPS1 was similar to GGPPS from other species of plants. For the first time the cloning of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene from T. wilfordii was reported, it lays the foundation for further research of diterpenoids biosynthetic pathway.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Farnesyltranstransferase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia treated with nape cluster acupuncture and the immediate effect of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one.On the basis of conventional western medication treatment, swallowing function training was applied in the control group, once a day.On the base of the treatment as the control group, nape cluster acupuncture was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Wangu (GB 12), Lianquan (CV 23), Panglianquan (Extra), Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) in the observation group, once a day. Additionally, pricking blood was applied at Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13), 2 times a week. The treatment was given 30 min each time, a week as one course and 4 courses were required. Before and after treatment, the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) score and video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) score were compared in the two groups. The ultrasonic diagnostic device of swallowing and surface electromyography were used to observe the immediate effect on swallowing related muscles of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the SSA scores were reduced after treatment in the two groups (<0.05), and the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the VFSS scores were increased after treatment in the two groups (<0.05), and the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (<0.05). Acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) immediately increased the amplitude of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles in the observation group (<0.05), the geniohyoid muscle movement time was reduced and geniohyoid muscle displacement was increased (<0.05). CONCLUSION On the base of the routine treatment, nape cluster acupuncture could improve swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) could immediately affect swallowing related muscles, improve muscle amplitude and reduce swallowing time.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Stroke ; complications ; therapy ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

AIM To investigate the protective effects of Miaoling Natto Capsules (MNC) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIR) in rats.METHODS Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats randomly divided into sham group,model group,positive control group (propranolol),MNC groups (low dose,medium dose,and high dose groups) underwent corresponding 7-day oral administration at a frequency of twice daily (rats of the sham group and the model group were dosed with saline water at 1 mL/100 g).Anesthetized by 8％ chloral hydrate,rat models were made by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation,30 min coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion for ST segments and T waves monitoring,and rats in the sham group were performed opening and suture procedures.The rats had their serum levels of acetic transaminase (AST),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB),cardiac troponin-Ⅰ (cTn-Ⅰ),superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) detected,real time ECG changes monitored and myocardial infarction area assessed by TTC.RESULTS Compared with the sham group,the model group was observed with markedly elevated ST segments or high T waves rise,significantly increased activities of CK-MB,LDH,AST and the content of cTnⅠ,MDA,TNF-α,and decreased activity of SOD (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.001).Compared with the model group,the positive control group and the low,medium and high dose MNC groups achieved controlled ST segments elevation or greater T waves amplitude,significantly decreased activities of CKMB,LDH,AST and the content of cTnⅠ,MDA,TNF-α increased activity of SOD (P ＜0.01 or P ＜0.05) and mycocardial infact range reduction (P ＜ 0.001).CONCLUSION MNC is protective to rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUNDPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents one of the most frequent endocrine malignancies. Several factors have been found to be involved in determining the outcome of treatment for patients with PTC. Large tumor size, diagnosis at an early age, extra-thyroidal invasion, aggressive histological variants, and distant metastases are the most important determinants of a poor outcome. BRAF(V600E) mutation has been found to be a major genetic alteration in PTC. This study aimed to evaluate progression in patients with multifocal and solitary PTC.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective study to analyze 368 patients with PTC who underwent surgery, including 282 patients with solitary PTC and 86 patients with multifocal PTC. The status of BRAF(V600E) mutation in all tumor foci from multifocal PTC was detected.

RESULTSOur study suggested that multifocal PTC was more related to lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion than solitary PTC. However, the distant metastasis rate and 10-year survival rate showed no difference between these two groups. The number of tumor foci did not affect progression of disease in multifocal PTC patients. Lymph node metastasis in multifocal PTC patients was associated with larger tumors, diagnosis at early stage, and extra-thyroidal invasion.

CONCLUSIONThe status of BRAF(V600E) mutation was more frequent in multifocal PTC patients with lymph node metastasis and diagnosis at later age.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

AIMTo explore the level of anti-HSP70 antibody in plasma during atherosclerosis procedure induced by high-fat diet in rat and the relationship of them.

METHODSTwenty eight rat were divided into high-fat diet group (H) and control group (C). The total cholesterol (TC), Glyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum, pathology change of rat Arch of the aorta were determined, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody and their Phenotype were evaluated by ELISA.

RESULTSAfter two weeks, the serum concentrations of TC and LDL-C in rat supplemented by high-fat diet were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01), the serum TG were much lower than those in control group (P < 0.01). Four weeks later the level of anti-HSP70 antibody, IgM, IgG phenotype were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). There were lipin deposition and mottling formation in rat Arch of the aorta in rat supplemented by high-fat diet in 12th week.

CONCLUSIONAtherosclerosis could be induced by high-fat diet in rat. Accompany with the atherosclerosis procession, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody was continuously elevated, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody was related to atherosclerosis. The level of anti-HSP70 antibody was closely associated with atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of immature dendritic cells (imDC) expressing chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic bone marrow transposed (allo-BMT) mouse model.

METHODSWe constructed the lentiviral vectors carrying mouse CCR7 gene and infect imDC effectively in vitro. GVHD model was established with C57BL/6(H-2b) donor mice and BALB/c (H-2d) recipient mice. After irradiation, recipients were injected with donor bone marrow and spleen cells along with CCR7-modified dendritic cells. Mice were randomized into irradiation, transplant control, pXZ9-imDC (empty vector control) and CCR7-imDC groups. Survival, GVHD score, histopathological analysis and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines were observed.

RESULTSThe mean survival in irradiation, transplantation, pXZ9-imDC and CCR7-imDC groups were (8.20±1.48)d, (12.20±2.78)d, (20.70±6.01)d and (27.5±7.55)d respectively. The survival in CCR7- imDC group was significantly improved compared with other groups (P<0.05). GVHD scores in transplantation, pXZ9-imDC and CCR7-imDC groups were (6.90±1.66), (5.60±0.97) and (4.10±1.79) respectively. CCR7-imDC group had significantly lower GVHD score and minor tissue damages shown by histopathological analysis than the other groups. Plasma IFN-γ level increased and reached the peak at +10 day in transplant group, while it gradually decreased in pXZ9-imDC and CCR7-imDC groups, and then reached the nadir at +20 day post-allo-BMT, with the lowest level in CCR7-imDC group (P<0.01). Plasma IL-4 decreased in transplant group, while it gradually increased in pXZ9-imDC and CCR7-imDC groups and reached the highest level at + 10 day in CCR7- imDC group (P<0.01). The 95%-100% of H-2b positive cells in recipient mice on + 30 day post-allo-BMT demonstrated the complete donor- type implantation.

CONCLUSIONGenetically modified immature DC by CCR7 gene could alleviate damages by GVHD and prolong survival of recipient mice after allo-BMT.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Genetic Vectors ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptors, CCR7 ; genetics ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical phenotypes and hereditary patterns of the generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+).

METHODSDetailed family trees were constructed by inquire and physical examinations for the probands of the 15 pedigrees of GEFS+. Some patients received electroencephalography, cranial CT or MRI examination. The seizures and epilepsy syndromes were classified according to the 2001 Seizure International Classification. The clinical data of GEFS+ were reviewed.

RESULTSThe 15 families consisted of 196 individuals. Seventy-five individuals were confirmed with epilepsy. The phenotypes of 64 out of the 75 patients with epilepsy conformed to GEFS+. The 64 patients included 38 males and 26 females (1 deceased) and there was no gender difference in the morbility of GEFS+. The age at onset was all in childhood. GEFS+ had a diversity of phenotypes. Febrile seizures (FS) were confirmed in 44 patients, FS and myoclonic seizure in 1, febrile seizures plus (FS+) in 13, FS+ and absence seizure in 2, FS+ and myoclonic seizure in 1, and FS+ and focal seizure in 3.

CONCLUSIONSThe heterogeneity of phenotypes and genetics may be the hallmarks of GEFS+. FS and FS+ are common phenotypes while FS+ and absence seizure, FS+ and myoclonic seizure, and FS+ and focal seizure are rare. If one of the parents is affected in a GEFS+ family, the susceptibility of their children to GEFS+ is the same no matter what gender of their children is. It is speculated that the hereditary pattern of GEFS+ conforms to autosomal dominant inheritance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy, Generalized ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Seizures, Febrile ; genetics

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Osteopontin ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the bacteria isolated from middle nasal meatus, maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus and postoperative cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and their characteristics of antibiotic resistance.

METHODSEighty-seven patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were operated on by ESS to obtain the pus specimen for bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility test, before and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSTotally 645 strains (26 species) of bacteria were detected in 464 specimens [total positive rate was 78.9% (366/464)], in which aerobic bacteria was 95.3% (615/645). Gram negative bacteria and gram positive bacteria were 51.2% (330/645) and 48.8% (315/645), respectively. There was supernumerary tendency in detectable rate of gram negative bacteria isolated from postoperative groups. The main pathogens of postoperative patients were gram negative bacteria, with Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Hemophilus influenza occupying the first 3 places. The detectable rate of multiple drug resistance bacteria in postoperative group was much higher than preoperative groups, in which gram negative bacteria was the most, especially for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was significant difference in beta-lactamase detectable rate of the bacteria isolated from the delayed recovery group and the preoperative group (chi2 = 4.85, P < 0.05), Enterobacteriaceae occupied the first place among the beta-lactamase detectable bacteria isolated from the delayed recovery group. There was no significant difference in detectable rate of kinds of bacteria isolated from recovery group and control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe main pathogens of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis are multiple drug resistance gram negative bacteria after operation, in which Pseudomonas aeruginosa occupies the first place. Gram negative bacteria are becoming the main opportunity pathogenic bacteria, which shows antibiotic resistance. microbial population of postoperative cavity from recovery group are becoming balanced.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bodily Secretions ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Postoperative Period ; Rhinitis ; microbiology ; surgery ; Sinusitis ; microbiology ; surgery ; Young Adult