AIM To observe the effects of Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid (Polygoni multiflori Radix Praeparata,Angelicae sinensis Radix,Psoraleae Fructus,etc.) on learning and memory function,hippocampus tissue pathological morphology,SOD activity and carbonyl protein content in SAMP8 mice.METHODS Twenty-seven SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into model control group,donepezil hydrochloride group and Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid group.Another nine SAMR1 mice were selected as normal control group.Mice were given successive intragastric administration for 60 days.On the 56th day,the passive avoidance test was adopted,and the learning and memory capacities were determined after 5 d;The pathological morphology was observed by HE staining;ELISA assay was used to detect the activity of SOD and the content of carbonyl protein in brain tissue.RESULTS Compared with the model control group,the escape latency of mice in the Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid group was significantly prolonged,and the number of errors decreased significantly (P ＜0.01);the pathological morphology of hippocampus tissue was significantly improved;SOD activity increased significantly,and carbonyl protein content decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION Qibao Meiran Oral Liquid can not only improve the learning and memory function of SAMP8 mice,but also reduce the degree of hippocampus tissue degenerative disease.

In order to investigate biological functions of the 14-3-3 genes and their response to abiotic stress, two cDNAs (designated as Ta14R1 and Ta14R2) encoding putative 14-3-3 proteins were isolated from wheat by PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technique. The cDNA of Ta14R1 is 999bp and encodes a protein of 262 amino acids, while the cDNA of Ta14R2 is 897bp in length and encodes a protein of 261 amino acids. Transient expression assays using Ta14R1/Ta14R2-GFP fusion constructs indicated that Ta14R1 and Ta14R2 were located in cytoplasm and cell membrane but not in chloroplasts. Real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that Ta14R1 and Ta14R2 were differentially expressed in wheat tissues and significantly up-regulated in roots and shoots 1d after germination, indicating they may play a role in process of seed germination. The expression of the two genes in roots and leaves were significantly induced by plant hormone ABA, as well as heat, cold and drought treatments, suggesting that the two 14-3-3 genes in wheat may be involved in ABA dependent stress-responding pathway and response to heat, cold and drought stress.
14-3-3 Proteins ; genetics ; Abscisic Acid ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; Droughts ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Germination ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Temperature ; Triticum ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo understand the syphilis infection and its high risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from different channels.

METHODSSupported by the China-Gates Foundation HIV program from July to December 2011, we cooperated with community based organizations to conduct syphilis testing intervention among MSM from 14 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Harbin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Xi'an, Nanjing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Changsha, Kunming, and Guangzhou) and one province (Hainan province). Participants were recruited from different channels by the staff of local CBOs, Demographic (e.g. age, marital status, and education) and behavioral (e.g. condom use and sexual partners) data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Blood samples were also collected to test for syphilis. A total of 34 100 MSM participated in the survey. Participants were excluded from data analysis (1 399, 4.1%) if they did not receive syphilis tests or they completed less than 80.00% of the key questions in the survey. Chi-square tests were used to understand the socio-demographic and behavioral differences between each group. Results of syphilis tests were also compared. Logistic regression models were used to test the statistical significance of these differences.

RESULTSA total of 32 701 MSM were enrolled and received syphilis testing. The average age of participates was 30.96 ± 9.57. And among them, 2 284 cases (7.0%) were recruited from gay bathhouses, 4 774 (14.6%) from gay bars, 6 266 (19.2%) from the internet, 1 997 (6.1%) from the parks/toilets and 17 380 (53.1%) from other channels. MSM recruited from the bathhouses had the highest syphilis infection rate than other 4 groups: gaybars (4.5%, 216/4 774), internet (6.7%, 422/6 266), parks/toilets (8.3%, 166/1 997), other channels (6.4%, 1 103/17 380) (χ² = 164.58, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being > 20 years of age (P < 0.001), having more than 2 homosexual partners in recent 3 months (8.0% (1 408/17 714), OR (95% CI) = 1.44 (1.04-1.98)), having no sex with females in past 3 months (6.8% (1 446/21 276), OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.07-1.46)), and not using condom at last anal sex (8.0% (769/9 668), OR (95% CI) = 1.13 (1.03-1.25)) were associated with a higher probability of being infected with syphilis. Whereas MSM married (7.2% (456/6 305), OR (95% CI) = 0.84 (0.73-0.98)), having a college or a higher education (5.3% (829/15 684), OR (95% CI) = 0.60 (0.53-0.67)), being local residents (6.5% (1 843/28 185), OR (95% CI) = 0.73 (0.61-0.87)) and living in the local province of project cities (6.6% (170/2 593), OR (95% CI) = 0.67 (0.53-0.85)) were protective factors.

CONCLUSIONMSM who were recruited from gay bathhouses have a higher rate of syphilis infection than those in channels relatively. They are older, with low education levels and high-risk sexual behaviors. Tailored interventions are required in the future, especially for MSM from gay bathhouses.

Adult ; China ; Condoms ; Demography ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis ; Universities

To identify in vivo-induced gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pn) through a novel in vivo expression technology (IVET), a large promoter-trap library using galU and lacZ as the reporters was constructed. Based on the suicide vector pEVP3, a new vector pEVP3-galU was constructed with promoterless galU gene as an in vivo reporter. Firstly, promoterless galU gene was directly cloned into pEVP3 fusing with promoterless lacZ gene (an in vitro reporter). Then the random pieces of S. pn chromosomal DNA (200-500 bp), obtained by partial Sau3AI restriction digestion, were subcloned into the Bgl II site of pEVP3-galU. Upon introduction of the ligated plasmid library into E. coli DH5alpha by transformation, about 70,000 recombinants were recovered. Considering insert DNA orientation and insert size, this represents 5 coverage of the 2.2 Mb S. pn genome; 90% of these clones had 250- to 500-bp inserts. Thus, the library retained maximal complexity. Transformation by this plasmid library yield 450,000 S. pn transformants. The library was used to infect animals in intraperitoneal model. Those strains survived in vivo while exhibiting a white colony phenotype on TSA agar containing X-gal would indicate that the DNA fragment upstream of the galU reporter contained an in vivo-induced promoter. The promoter-trap library is suitable for screening in vivo-induced gene of S. pn.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genomic Library ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; genetics

Objective To apply 3D printing technology to fabricate patient-specific silicone tissue compensators for the chest wall and compare the advantages and clinical characteristics between conventional bolus and 3D-printed PLA materials. Methods The chest wall data of two breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy were obtained based upon the CT images. A patient-specific 3D printing silicone rubber bolus (3D-SRB) was designed and fabricated. The conformability of 3D-SRB,3D-PLA and conventional bolus to the chest wall were validated. Ecipse8. 6 planning system was adopted to statistically compare the dosimetric parameters of virtual plan with those after using three tissue compensators. Results The 3D-SRB was successfully designed and fabricated with a similar hardness to conventional bolus. During the process of validating conformability and radiotherapy planning,3D-SRB and 3D-PLA were superior to conventional bolus in terms of conformability to chest wall and planning dosimetric distribution.3D-SRB was advantageous in repeatability, conformability and comfortable experience compared with 3D-PLA. Regarding dosimetric parameters,3D-SRB yielded the highest repeatability with the virtual plan, followed by 3D-PLA and conventional bolus. Conclusion It is applicable to utilize 3D-SRB as the patient-specific compensators for the chest wall,which is of significance in clinical practice.