Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods

BACKGROUND: The contact lenses were easily contaminated by adsorbing components from the tear film, particularly protein after wearing for a period of time. Lysozyme adsorption dynamics of fluorosilicone acrylate contact lenses has been studied in order to further improve data of protein adsorption, reduce adsorbing amount of surface protein, and prevent surface contamination of contact lenses.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adsorption dynamics of fluorosilicone acrylate contact lenses to lysozyme in vitro. METHODS: A stock solution of lysozyme was prepared in Hanks balanced salt solution (2.0 g/L, solution Ⅰ) and different trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) concentrations were prepared. Recovery experiment, the contact lenses were placed in shaking incubator at 37 ℃ for varying time intervals. After incubation there was a single rinsing in Hanks balanced salt solution. Contact lenses in control group were placed in diluted water, and contact lenses in the other group were placed in different concentrations of TFA. For deposition, FSA contact lenses in experimental group were placed in shaking incubator at 37 ℃ for varying time intervals. After incubation there was a single rinsing in Hanks balanced salt solution. Then FSA contact lenses were immersed in 0.2% TFA solution. The amount of lysozyme was assayed with BCA method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lysozyme which attached to fluorosilicone acrylate contact lenses could be resolved by TFA, and the recovery was influenced by the immersed time and the concentration of TFA. The optimal time was 1 hour, and the optimum concentration was 0.2%. The adsorption dynamics of lysozyme on FSA contact lenses was a second-phased process, i.e., lysozyme adsorption increased rapidly during 10 minutes-1 hour, reached a plateau at 1 hour, stably adsorbed during 1-24 hours, and reached a saturation of 0.349 mg/cm~2. The recovery of lysozyme was lower at 10 and 30 minutes, but reached 90%-100% while the time of incubation was between 40 minutes and 24 hours.

Objective To evaluate the influential factors of iron acquisition during Francisella tularensis LVS infection of mouse macrophages.Methods F.tularensis LVS expressing green fluorescent protein was used to infect murine macrophage J774A.1 cells.Transferrin receptor 1(Tfr1)was detected with mono-antibody and visualized with a goat-anti mouse IgG conjugated to Alexa 594.The expression profile of 5 iron metabolism related genes of J774A.1 murine macrophages uninfected or infected with F.tularensis LVS was determined with real-time PCR.Immunoblot analysis was used to compare the Tfr1 expression of live Francisella infected macrophage with dead bacteria.Tfr1 knock-off in J774A.1 cells was performed with siRNA.The transfected cells were infected with Francisella for immunoblotting and microscopy and infection assay.Results It was revealed that the live vaccine strain of F.tularensis induced the expression of Tfr1 in host macrophages.Gene expression analysis indicated that F.tularensis LVS drove an active iron acquisition program with induction of Tfr1 and iron regulatory proteins(Irp1 and Irp2).It was shown by Western-blotting that the siRNA-Tfrc-1 could knock off about 75% of Tfr1 in J774A.1 cells.It was determined by infection assay that,Tfr1 was knocked off,the bacteria number at 1h infection with Francisella was not different from that of control(F=1.06,P=0.326 5),while it was decreased significantly after 24h of infection(F=24.12,P=0.000 6).Conclusions It is demonstrated that upregulation of the Tfr1 may be mediated by post-transcriptional regulation during early infection,but sustained later through increased expression of Irp 1 and Irp 2.Increased expression of Tfr1 expands the intracellular iron pool through transferrin-mediated delivery and may thus be readily available for uptaking by Francisella.Knocking off the expression of Tfr1 does not affect bacterial invasion.Francisella,however,may fail to proliferate in macrophages in which the expression of transferrin receptor has been suppressed.

Objective To investigate the clinical factors influencing the treatment efficacy of microsurgery on patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Methods One hundred and eleven patients,admitted to our hospitals from January 1,2003 to December 31,2009 and underwent microsurgical cerebral AVMs resection were chosen in our study; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The functional neurological status was classified with modified Rankin scale 7 d and 6 months after surgery. Binary logistic regression models were applied to test the effect of patient gender, age,intra-cerebral hemorrhage,and the size,deep venous drainage pattern and location of AVMs on long-term and short-term treatment efficacy. Results Twenty-nine patients (26.1％) showed new neurological deficits 7 d after the surgery.Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis demonstrated that deep venous drainage, eloquent location and large size of AVMs, high Spetzler-Martin grading aneurysms and no intra-cerebral hemorrhage were significantly associated with new early neurological deficits (P＜0.05),while gender and age of the patients had no significant association with new early neurological deficits (P＞0.05).The scores of neurological status scale in patients with Spetzler-Martin grading Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly different between 7 d and 6 months after the surgery (P＜0.05). Conclusion AVMs patients having deep venous drainage,eloquent location and large size of AVMs,and having aneurysm and intra-cerebral hemorrhage may be the risk factors of new early neurological deficit after microsurgical resection; analyzing the Spetzler-Martin grading before surgery can help to determine the treatment options.

OBJECTIVETo clone and express Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2) sly gene for constructing an foundation on identification of S. suis 2 protective antigen.

METHODSThe sly gene was amplified from S. suis 2 clinical isolate strain 05ZYH33 genome DNA by PCR. The gene fragment was inserted into the expression vector pET-30b(+) to build pET30b-sly. When recombinant vector pET30b-sly was identified by restriction enzyme cutting and DNA sequencing as a correct one, subsequently it was transformed to E. coli Rosetta for expression under IPTG induction. The obtained fusion protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The immunologic and hemolysis activity of the purified protein was proved through Western blot and hemolysis assay respectively.

RESULTSThe PCR product was around 1500 bp. The gene segment inserted into the recombinant vector was proven to be completely identical with the sly gene sequence in the total genome sequence of S. suis 2. The target protein expressed was up to 30% of the total somatic protein under IPTG induction. The protein purity reached above 80% after purification. The protein could be recognized by human serum infected with S. suis 2 and could dissolve swine erythrocytes with the Hemolytic titer as 256.

CONCLUSIONThe expression vector pET30b-sly was successfully constructed. The target protein could be over-expressed in E. coli and possessed its biological activity after purification.

Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Streptococcus suis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo study the current situation and factors influencing the behavior of fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents, and to discuss health education strategy related to the behavior.

METHODS1677 students were selected from primary school and middle school in urban area of Hangzhou by a multistage sampling method. The behavior of fruit and vegetable intake was surveyed by questionnaires of the patient-centered assessment and counseling for exercise plus nutrition project (PACE+) for adolescent-scale of fruit and vegetable consumption, and analyzed by Transtheoretical Model on the servings of intake, the stage of change, process of change, decisional balance and the current status of self-efficacy.

RESULTSThe average intake of fruit and vegetable in adolescents was (3.21 +/- 1.50) servings per day ("one serving" means 100 g cooked vegetable or 100 g fruit). The behavior of consuming fruit and vegetable in most of the adolescents was in the contemplation stage, accounting for 36.91% (619/1677). The process of behavior change, decisional balance (Pros) and self-efficacy existed a positive correlation with the process of stage (r(process) = 0.38, r(decisional balance (Pros)) = 0.26, r(self-efficacy) = 0.33, t values were 16.78, 11.02 and 14.31, P < 0.05). The servings of fruit and vegetable intake existed a positive correlation with stage transition and self-efficacy (beta(stage transition) = 0.665, t = 35.07, P < 0.05; beta(self-efficacy) = 0.050, t = 2.63, P < 0.05), and existed a negative correlation with decisional balance (Cons) (beta(decisional balance (Cons)) = -0.051, t = -2.84, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFruit and vegetable intake of these adolescents are under the recommended dietary intake. Along with behavior stage development and self-efficacy improvement, the intake of fruit and vegetable also increased correspondingly. Intervention strategies should aim at improving the awareness of adolescents on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake and promoting their confidence to reach the recommended servings.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Child ; China ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVETo report the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of two Chinese families with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

METHODSOphthalmological examinations showed that only probands in two families exhibited visual loss at the age of 10 and 17 years respectively. The entire mitochondrial genome of two probands was PCR amplified in 24 overlapping fragments using sets of oligonucleotide primers.

RESULTSMutational analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in these pedigrees revealed the absence of three common LHON associated G11778A, G3460A and T144484 mutations but the presence of homoplastic LHON associated ND4 G11696A mutation, which was present in one out of 167 Chinese healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONSequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in two pedigrees showed the distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms, belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroup D4. The incomplete penetrance of visual loss and the presence of one in 167 controls suggested that this mutation itself is insufficient to produce a clinical phenotype and other modifier factors play a role in the phenotypic manifestation. The lack of functional mtDNA variants in these pedigrees ruled out the role of mitochondrial background in the phenotypic expression of visual loss. Therefore, nuclear modifier gene(s) or environmental factor(s) may play a role in the phenotypic expression of the LHON-associated G11696A mutation in two Chinese pedigrees.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo study and analyze the antibacterial effects of different extracts from Radix Isatis.

METHODSStaphylococcus aureus was used as the studied object in the experiment. Antibacterial effects of extracts from Radix Isatis were observed by thermocalrimetry on Staphylococcus aureus, together with common pharmacological experiments.

RESULTSThe total extract, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract, n-butylalcohol (nBuOH) extract, chloroform (CHCl(3)) extract and petroleum (P.E.) extract had antiviral effects to some extent while the residue after extracting had no antibacterial activity. The potency of antiviral activity among them was as follows: nBuOH extract > EtOAc extract > CHCl(3) extract > total extract > P.E. extract.

CONCLUSIONThe antibacteriall effects of Radix Isatis were not limited to any active portion, showing that Radix Isatis exerts its antibacterial effects by cooperation of different active fractions in varied ways.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Calorimetry ; Isatis ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of 36-hour sleep deprivation (SD) on the brain electrophysiological indicators of visuo-motor coupling in young soldiers.

METHODSDuring the 36-hour SD, 10 healthy young soldiers were tested on visuospatial rotation tasks by event-related potentials system before and after SD. The incubation period and amplitude of P500 as well as their error number and reaction time were measured.

RESULTSCompared with subjects in SD 0-hour,subjects in SD 36-hour had significantly increased error rate [(9.7 ± 3.9)% vs. (18.3 ± 4.5)%, P<0.05] and significantly increased reaction time [(632.5 ± 53.6) ms vs. (693.6 ± 65.7) ms, P < 0.05]. Subjects in SD 36-hour showed significantly reduced amplitudes than those in SD 0-hour [(8.7 ± 2.3) ΜV vs. (5.2 ± 1.6) ΜV, P < 0.05]. Additionally, subjects in SD 36-hour showed significantly increased P500 latencies than did those in SD 0-hour [(489.6 ± 42.6) ms vs .(530.2 ± 51.9) ms, P < 0.05]. Compared with subjects in SD 0-hour, the deficit was an absence of a mental rotation function SD 36-hour in subjects.

CONCLUSIONSThe 36-hour SD in young soldiers can harm the processing mechanism of visuo-motor coupling in a certain extent. SD can affect the fixed position ability of visual space cognition in young soldiers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Evoked Potentials ; Feedback, Sensory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Reaction Time ; Sleep Deprivation ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the outcome of a health education program on sedentary behavior among primary and secondary school children through Transtheoretical Model. Methods Five primary schools and four middle schools were selected and students from grade 3 to 5 in primary schools and grade 1 to 2 in middle schools were selected to take part in the program, as control and intervention groups respectively. Corresponding intervention measures were provided to the intervention group, with phase, process and level of changing on sedentary behavior measured for both groups during the follow-up period. Comparison to the above items on the two groups was measured statistically. Results Behavior among the intervention group was gradually changed regarding: phase contemplation, preparation and maintenance, with the proportions in phase action and maintenance higher than the control group. After carrying out of intervention programs, the sedentary time on weekdays between the two groups did not show significant differences. However, the sedentary time on weekends of intervention group was (2.53 ± 1.62) hours, significantly lower than the hours from the baseline survey (2.84 ± 1.82) and the control group (2.78 ± 1.72) respectively.During the follow-up period, the average score of intervention group in the changing process was (2.98 ± 0.77), higher than the control group (2.80 ± 0.81 ). At the same time, the average score of intervention group in the process of changing, decisional balance (pros) and self-efficacy were 2.98 ±0.77, 3.06 ± 0.75 and 3.13 ± 0.72, respectively, all higher than data from the baseline survey. In the control group, the process of changing and the average score on self-efficacy had improved.Conclusion The corresponding intervention program seemed to have played a significant role among the school-aged children on their sedentary behavior during the weekend but no significant difference was found in the weekdays.