Ginsenosides are the abundant secondary metabolites in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), it could be released into soil through root exudation and decomposition during plant growth. This study determined ginsenoside contents in American ginseng cultivated soil by HPLC. Three ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2 and Rd, were detected in the rhizosphere soil of 3-4 years old American ginseng cultivated in Huairou District, Beijing, and their contents were 0.80-3.19 mg x kg(-1). Correspondingly, the contents of the three ginsenosides in soil solution were 4-16 mg x L(-1) at field water-holding capacity of 20%. According to the field soil test data, we designed the concentration of ginsenosides for bioassays (0.2-125 mg x L(-1) in solution or 0.2-125 mg x kg(-1) in soil). The results showed that radicle lengths of American ginseng were reduced by 6%-23% in solution containing 0.2-125 mg x L(-1) ginsenoside extract, and a significant difference was observed at concentration of 125 mg x L(-1) (P < 0.05). The shoot lengths of American ginseng were not significantly inhibited by 0.2-125 mg x L(-1) ginsenosides extractions. After 20 days of growth in nutrient solution amended with 25 mg x L(-1) ginsenosides extraction, plant height of 3-year-old American ginseng seedling was decreased by 28% compared to the control, and the biomass of aerial parts was also reduced by 50% (P < 0.05). However, the growth of newly-grown fibrous root was not significantly inhibited. Comparatively, when American ginseng embryos were cultivated into sterile or non-sterile soil, neither radicle lengths nor shoot lengths were significantly affected by 0.2-125 mg x kg(-1) ginsenoside extracts. In conclusion, ginsenosides showed autotoxic effect on growth of American ginseng radicle and adult seedling, however, this effect was weakened in field soil.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Panax ; chemistry ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Soil ; chemistry

Objective To isolate stable passage primary HIV-1 drug resistant strains and observe replication dynamics of the drug resistant isolates and evolvement tendency of the drug resistant mutations in vitro.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)from 15 AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)were collected,and the primary HIV-1 stains were separated utilizing co-cultivated with PBMCs from normal people.HIV-1 pol genes from those strains were obtained by RT-PCR and sequenced.The drug resistant mutations were analyzed in the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database.Results Eight strong positive strains were isolated from 15 AIDS patients with viral loads higher than 1000 copies/ml,and two of them were drug resistant.Drug resistant mutations of the two strains were respectively K103N/K238T and M184V/K103N/Y181C/H221Y which show high-level resistance to NVP and 3TC/NVP,respectively.K103N,M184V,Y181C and H221Y exist stably in the environment without drug pressure,however,RT K238T reverted to K238.Conclusion Two drug resistant strains were successfully isolated in vitro without drug pressure.Strains with K103N shows superior fitness and can exist steadily.Strains with M184V and K103N/Y181C/H221Y can also replicate stably in vitro without drug pressure.NNRTI mutation K238T reproduces astatically,which suggests that RT 238 codon might revert gradually to wild genotype.

Objective To elucidate the molecular evolutional characteristics of HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drug resistance-associated mutations in AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Methods Four AIDS patients receiving HAART with good adherence within a HlV-1 drug resistance cohort from a rural region in central China were selected,who possessed susceptible virus at the beginning of treatment and gradually came to produce resistance to NNRTIs during the process of antiretroviral therapy (ART),reverse transcriptase (RT) genes from each patient's peripheral blood samples (from 3 to 30 months after withdrawal) were cloned and sequenced in succession.Results To sequenced total 855 clones and obtained the HIV-1 NNRTI drug resistance-asseciated mutations patterns of the four patients: (1)G190A often appeared with F227 L and had the tendency of accumulating P236V during the process of treatmenL (2)Y188C always presented alone and sometimes it concured with P236V.(3) YI81C frequently concured with VI79D or KIO3N and the combination varies from patient to patient.(4)K103N often combined with Y181C or M230L Conclusions The molecular evolutional characteristics of HIV-1 NNRTI drug resistance-asseciated mutations in the 4 AIDS patients are summarized.They showed different pathways on HIV-1 NNRTI drug resistance-associated mutations and those mutations detected early tend to be predominant strains.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers, and to provide basement for establishing biological limit value.

METHODS44 BD exposed workers as exposure group and 25 BD non-exposed people as control group including 12 workers in boiler workshop in the same factory and 13 people in one public institute, we collected their in-end-of shift urine, then detected urine BD-derived mercapturic metabolites [3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA),1- and 2-monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA)] concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS method. Meanwhile, we detected air BD concentration with GC-FID in the workplace, and compared their relationship.

RESULTSlgDHBMA and lg (MHBMA + DHBMA) levels in exposed group (lgDHBMA: 2.51 ± 0.44) µg/L, lg [MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.68 ± 0.27) µg/L] were higher than which in control group (lgDHBMA: (2.20 ± 0.25) µg/L, lg(MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.49 ± 0.34) µg/L), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Urine DHBMA was obviously influenced by air BD concentrations (r = 0.539, P = 0.001). The equation of Multiple Regression Analysis was y = 2.417 + 0.520x (x represents air BD dose, and represents urinary DHBMA level). Adjusted R(2) of this model was 0.262. Urinary MHBMA was not affected by smoking, alcohol and years of works.

CONCLUSIONUrine metabolite DHBMA in BD-exposed workers might be major biological exposure indice.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Butadienes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of Integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating SARS.

METHODSBy controlled paralled design, 49 patients of SARS were studied, they were divided into the control group (n = 29) and the ICWM group (n = 20). The former was treated according to the "Recommended Program for Treatment of SARS" provided by Health Ministry, by administering of such drugs as Ribavirin, Levofloxacin, Thymopentin, Azithromycin, etc, the latter was treated with the ICWM protocol for SARS of "Special Technological Action to Prevent and Treat SARS" provided by Science and Technology Ministry.

RESULTS(1) The time for improving symptom in the ICWM group was 5.10 days and that in the control group was 7.62 days, the difference between them was significant (P < 0.05); (2) The days and amount for use hormone before subtract in the two group were similar, with insignificant difference (P > 0.05); (3) The days and amount for use hormone after subtract in the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05); (4) The time for improving peripheral WBC count and absolute value of lymphocyte, as well as for absorption time of shadow in chest film were not different significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn treating SARS, ICWM was superior to the treatment with western medicine alone in aspects of improving clinical symptom, promoting recovery of immune function and absorption of lung inflammation, decreasing the dosage of hormone used and shortening the therapeutic course.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology

Objective: To explore the status of PM 2.5 pollution in school classrooms and the student exposure level, and to provide basic data to safeguard the health of students. Methods: This study continuously monitored the PM 2.5 levels of 16 naturally ventilated classrooms in eight primary and secondary schools in Jiamusi for one academic year using an online environmental monitoring instrument. At the same time, outdoor PM 2.5 data was captured for comparative research, and student exposure to PM 2.5 during school hours was evaluated. Results: The average concentration of PM 2.5 in the classroom in the spring and autumn semesters was (26.93±24.7) and (31.85±30.37)μg/m 3, respectively, and the indoor/outdoor ratio ( I/O ) was 0.92 and 0.95, respectively, which indicated a strong correlation between them. The daily average concentration of all classrooms during both semesters was ( 28.93 ±26.85)μg/m 3, which was slightly higher than the average concentration of (27.53±26.53)μg/m 3 during the daytime when students were in school. In addition, the concentration on workdays was higher than that observed on weekends, and this was termed the "weekend effect". The indoor PM 2.5 concentration was lower on higher floors. The comprehensive exposure concentration of students during school was 28.48 μg/m 3 in spring semester and 31.87 μg/m 3 in autumn semester. Conclusion PM 2.5 levels in the classrooms varied according to time, the horizontal space, and the vertical space, and the level of indoor PM 2.5 pollution largely depended on outdoor pollution sources. Differences in PM 2.5 exposure were observed between.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the roles of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on dendritic cells (DCs) in HBV infection.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 48 healthy volunteers (HV) and 50 chronically HBV-infected patients (CH). DCs were induced and proliferated in a culture medium with rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4. We stimulated DCs with poly I:C and then TLR3, HLA-DR, and CD86, and CD1a expressions were examined by flow cytometry at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The mRNA expressions of TLR3 were quantified by real-time PCR.

RESULTSTLR3 expression on DCs before the poly I:C stimulation and afterwards on the 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h were 69.2%+/-20.4%, 76.0%+/-18.6%, 78.2%+/-19.5% and 85.5%+/-6.9% respectively in the CH group, and 70.8%+/-11.2%, 67.5%+/-20.9%, 86.3%+/-14.7%, 68.6%+/-16.9% in the HV group. The expressions of TLR3 were up-regulated significantly at 24 h and 48 h after stimulation with poly I:C in the HV group, and in the CH group they were not significantly increased at 24 h but obviously increased at 48 h. The mRNA expressions of TLR3 increased significantly at 12 h in the HV groups, and at 48 h in CH group. The rate of CD86 expressions increased after poly I:C stimulation, and the increased rates were 12.6%+/-9.8%, 23.8%+/-20.0%, 20.7%+/-14.3% in the CH group, and 31.0%+/-25.0%, 43.4%+/-24.7%, 44.6%+/-25.5% in the HV group at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after poly I:C stimulation. There was a marked increase of the expression level of CD86 in the HV group. In contrast, the level was only slightly increased in the CH group (31.0% vs 12.6%). The differences between the two groups were significant at 24 h and 48 h. No significant differences were detected in HLA-DR and CD1a between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase of expression level of TLR3 is slower in the CH group than that in the HV group. A marked increase of the expression level of CD86 is observed in the HV group. Our results suggest that abnormal expression of TLR3 and CD86 may relate to the persistence of HBV infection.

Adult ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of combined supplementation of glutamine (Gln) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the protein metabolism in severely burned patients.

METHODSSixty severely burned patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into control (C, n = 20) and Gln with rhGH (Gln + rhGH, n = 20) groups. The patients in C group received glycine as the placebo, while those in Gln group took Gln orally in dose of 0.5 g kg(-1) d(-1) during 1-14 postburn days (PBDs). For the patients in Gln + rhGH group rhGH was administered subcutaneously in dose of 0.2 U kg(-1) d(-1) in addition to glutamine in same dosage beginning on the 7 PBD for 7 days. The plasma Gln concentration in the 3 groups of patients was determined on the 1st, 7th and 14th PBD and the plasma albumin level was determined on 14th and 21st PBD. The wound healing rate of the patients within 30 PBSs and the total hospital stay days were recorded.

RESULTSThe plasma Gln concentration in Gln + rhGH group of patients was evidently higher than that in C group after 7 PBD[(452.28 +/- 21.72) micromol/L vs(325.12 +/- 25.34) micromol/L, P < 0.05]. The plasma albumin level in Gln + rhGH group was obviously higher than that in C and Gln groups on the 21st PBD (P < 0.05). The wound healing rate in Gln + rhGH group was evidently higher than that in Gln and C groups on the 30th PBD (P < 0.05). The total hospital stay days in Gln + rhGH group were obviously less than that in C and Gln groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCombined administration of Gln and rhGH could be beneficial to the elevation of plasma Gln level in severely burned patients and the systemic protein synthesis was therefore enhanced and the wound healing rate was improved.

Adult ; Aged ; Burns ; metabolism ; therapy ; Female ; Glutamine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Human Growth Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that local immune cells in the feto-maternal interface are recruited from peripheral blood, and that chemokines and their receptors play an initial and key role in this recruitment process. In this study, we aimed to determine whether spontaneous abortion is associated with the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells.

METHODSPeripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected from the spontaneous abortion mouse model CBA/JxDBA/2 (SA group, n = 14), the normal pregnant mouse model CBA/JxBALB/c (NP group, n = 13), and normal non-pregnant CBA/J mice (NNP group, n = 11). The number of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 expressed on CD4(+) T cells was measured by double-label flow cytometry (FCM) method.

RESULTSIn peripheral blood, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.01) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. But comparing these chemokines between the SA and NNP groups, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). In spleen, the SA group expressed significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. When compared with the NNP group, the SA group had significantly higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but was not statistically different with regards to the other two chemokines (P > 0.05). In thymus, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.05) and higher CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than the NP group, with no significant difference in CCR5 expression (P > 0.05). Compared with the NNP group, the SA group had higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but there was no statistical difference in CXCR3 and CCR5 expression (P > 0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion.

Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Embryo Loss ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, CCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDIt is very important for the clinical management to test for minor HIV-1 resistance mutations accurately and sensitively. The conventional genotypic assays of HIV drug resistance detection based on sequencing can only discriminate the mutations which present in more than 20% - 30%. The aim of this study was to evaluate allele-specific real-time PCR (ASPCR) to detect the resistance-related mutations located at positions 103, 184 and 215.

METHODSWe developed the allele-specific PCR assay, using the most common drug resistance mutations in Chinese AIDS patients, K103N, M184V/I, T215F/Y as a model system. The standards were constructed by cloning the wild-type and mutant DNA fragments into the T-vector. We designed specific primers to discriminate mutant templates in the real-time PCR using SYBR green as a fluorescence reporter. And then we evaluated the ASPCR assay and tested 140 clinical samples using this method.

RESULTSThe sensitivities of ASPCR assay were 0.04% for K103N, 0.30% for M184I, 0.40% for M184V, 0.03% for T215F and 0.02% for T215Y. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were less than 0.42. One hundred and forty plasma samples were tested by ASPCR and dynamic resistance curves of ten patients were obtained.

CONCLUSIONSDrug resistance emerged half a year after the start of antiretroviral therapy. The mutation of T215Y emerged 1 to 1.5 years after starting treatment and then increased rapidly. The ASPCR assay we developed was a sensitive, accurate and rapid method to detect the minor HIV-1 variants and it can provide earlier and more drug-resistance information for HIV research and AIDS antiretroviral therapy.

Alleles ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity