Objectives To analyze the characteristic of HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) gene variants isolated from Shanghai. To construct the prokaryotic expression vector of HIV-1 vif gene and understand its immunogenieity. Methods HIV-1 vii genes were amplified and sequenced from 23 serum samples of HIV-1 infected patients in Shanghai and then compared with the international standard HIV-1 strain. Subsequently, these amplified Vif fragments were sub cloned into pETS2b(+)expression vector. The recombinant prokaryotie plasmids pETS2b (+)-HIV-1/Vif were then transferred into BL21DS(Star)cells for expressing and purifying HIV-1 Vif protein. HIV-1 Viff rat polyclonal antibody was then preparing by injecting the purified Vif proteins into the mice. ELISA was used to determine the purity of Vif proteins and the immunogenicity of its polyclonal antibodies. Results The nucleotide acid mutation rate of HIV-1 vif gene in Shanghai AIDS patient was (0. 179±0. 006)% compared with the international standard HIV-1 strain. Some similar mutations in vif gene were found in HIV-1 strains isolated from Shanghai while the amino acid sequence between 151 and 240 in Vif protein was conserved. The construction of HIV-1 Vif prokaryotic expression plamids and the preparation of Vif polyclonal antibodies were successfully done in this study. The reaction between recombinant HIV-1 Vif protein and the serum from HIV-1 infected patient was not significantly different from that between the recombinant protein and healthy control serum(P＞0.05). HIV-1 Vif polyclonal antibody reacted differently with recombined HIV-1 Vif protein compared with healthy control serum samples (t=178.61, P＜0.01). Conclusions The Vif gene mutation rate is high in HIV-1 strains isolated from Shanghai compared with international standard HIV-1 strain. The prokaryotic expression plasmids of HIV-1 vif antigen are successfully constructed and Vif polyclonal antibodies are prepared well.

The objective of the present study was to establish a method based on principal component analysis (PCA) for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae, and to choose the best penetration enhancers for Qingfei Xiaocuo gel depend on this method. Using improved Franz type diffusion cell and excised rat skin in vitro as transdermal barrier, the receptive solution fingerprint was established by HPLC, harvesting the areas of the common peaks in the fingerprint, then the total factor scores of the concentrations at different times were calculated using PCA and were employed instead of the concentrations to compute the cumulative amounts (Q12) and enhancement ratio (ER), the latter of which were considered as the indexes for optimizing penetration enhancers. Compare to the control group, the ER of the other groups increased significantly and furthermore, 2.5% azone with 2.5% menthol manifested the best effect. PCA represent most information in the receptive solution, the method above could choose the best penetration enhancers, it could be a reference for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Gels ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Principal Component Analysis ; Skin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of Pingfei Oral Liquid (POL) on the distribution of mast cells (MCs) and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the lung tissue of radiation pneumonia rats. MethodsForty-five SD rats were randomized into 3 groups : normal control,model group and POL group. The rat model of radiation lung fibro-sis was set up by a single X-ray dose of 20Gy irradiation over the whole chest of the rats. POL (20 g·kg-1·d-1,once a day, five times a week) was given orally one week before irradiation and the treatment lasted 5 weeks. MCs in the lung tissue were stained with toluidine blue firstly and then were counted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after irradiation. IL-6 protein expression of lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical assay 8 weeks after irradiation, and mRNA ex-pression was determined with RT-PCR 4 weeks after irradiation. ResultsIt's showed the aggregation of large amount of pulmonary mast cells and increase of IL-6 protein expression 8 weeks after irradiation (P < 0.01).IL-6 mRNA expression in the irradiated lung of rats increased 4 weeks after irradiation (P < 0. 01). POL could reduce the aggrega- tion of MCs (P < 0. 01) and the expression of IL-6 protein (P < 0. 01) and mRNA (P < 0. 05) in the lung tissue. ConclusionPOL can prevent radiation pneumonia in rats by reducing the aggregation of mast cells and inhibiting IL-6 expression in the lung tissue.

Objective: To explore the effects of workplace health promotion in a wind power equipment manufacturing factory. Methods: Based on investigation of occupational hazard factors, personal protective equipment (PPE) application, occupational health management and healthy life style, health promotion strategy and intervention were implemented in this factory. The sample size was 56 for monitoring of occupational hazard factors before and after intervention, 283 and 259 for questionnaire before and after intervention. Results: After intervention, the qualified rate of workplace occupational hazard factors increased from 67.9% to 82.1%. The abnormal rate of occupational health surveillance among workers decreased from 24.7% to 11.6%. The rates of correct use of PPE increased from 39.6% to 80.7%. The rates of awareness of occupational health increased from 10.2% to 71.8%. The rates of awareness of chronic disease increased from 10.2% to 77.2%. Two-week consultation rate decreased from 6.4% to 4.2%. Smoking rate decreased from 12.4% to 10.4%. Conclusion Workplace health promotion is effective measures for reducing occupational hazard factors exposure and improving workers’ health.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of the A260G and A386G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the DAZL gene with male infertility in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province.

METHODSWe collected the peripheral blood samples from 317 idiopathic infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia and 246 normal fertile men, and genotyped the polymorphic loci of the A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DAZL gene using the SNaPshot technique.

RESULTSThe DAZL gene A260G was found genetically polymorphic in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province, with the gene frequencies and their distribution consistent to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequencies of the AA, AG and GG genotypes of the A260G polymorphism were 92.3%, 7.3%, and 0.4% respectively in the normal controls and 94.3%, 5.7%, and 0% in the infertile patients, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.43, OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.413-1.46). Heterozygosis (AG) of A386G was found in 1 of the control males but not in the infertile patients, while homozygosis (GG) of A386G was not observed in either group (P = 0.259, OR = 0.698, 59% CI: 0.374-1.306).

CONCLUSIONA260G and A386G SNPs of the DAZL gene are not associated with spermatogenic failure and neither represents a molecular marker for the genetic diagnosis of male infertility in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effects of rhein on insulin sensitivity of diabetic rats induced by high fat feeding and low dose streptozotocin (STZ), and the possible mechanisms. Methods (1) Fifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC,n=15) and diabetes group (DM, n=40). The NC rats were fed with regular chow and DM rats were fed with high fat diet. Five weeks later, the DM rats were injected with STZ 30 mg/kg once. The 30 diabetic rats were randomly divided into two subgroups, diabetic control group (DM-C) and diabetic group treated with rhein (DM-T). DM-T rats received intragastric administration of rhein and DM-C rats were given equal doses of solvent. All rats were sacrificed eleven weeks later, the blood sample was collected. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1C, triglycerides (TG), tolal cholesterol (TC), glycosylated serum protein (GSP) and Fasting insulin (FINS) concentrations were examined.The insulin sensitive index (ISI) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) werecalculated. (2) The PPART and GLUT-2 expression in hepatic tissue were detected by immunohistoehemistry and Western-blot. Results At the end of experiment the FBG [(22.57±3.23 vs 7.11±1.44) mmol/L,P<0.01],HbA1C[(12.49±1.96 vs 8.36±0.84)%, P<0.01], TG [(0.89±0.29 vs 0.58±0.17)nunoL/L,P<0.01],GSP [(57.29±4.14 vs 13.43±2.70)μmoL/L, P<0.01] and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α,(1.365±0.133 vs 1.233±0.159) μg/L, P<0.05] and the liver weight index (0.032±0.004 vs 0.024±0.002, P<0.01) in DM-C rats were higher than those in NC rats. Besides, the ISI of DM-C rats decreased [In(ISI),-5.46±0.61 vs -4.81±0.75, P<0.05] and HOMA-IR elevated [In(HOMA-IR),2.34±0.64 vs 1.70±0.78,P<0.05]. The expression of PPARγ [11 131.7(5 723.1-18 979.4) vs 48 782.1(21 576.7-108 829.5), P<0.01] and GLUT-2 (0.98±0.35 vs 1.29±0.27, P<0.05) of DM-C rats decreased markedly compared with NC rats. Compared with DM-C rats, FBG [(15.94±3.16) mmol/L], HbA1C[(10.51±1.74)%], GSP[(47-31±6.09) μmol/L] in DM-T and the In (HOMA-IR), (1.86±0.30) rats decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and In (ISI), of DM-T rats increased (-4.97±0.29, P<0.05). The expressions of PPARγ [35 156.3(24 554.3-86 660.9)] and GLUT-2 (1.55±0.55) of DM-T rats were up-regulated markedly compared with DM-C rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Rhein decreased FBG, HbA1C and GSP, and improved the insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats, which might be related to the up-regulated expressions of PPARγ and GLUT-2 in hepatic tissue.

Objective:To compare acetyltransferase MORF level in periodontal ligament stem cells( PDLSCs) derived from healthy individuals ( H-PDLSCs) with those derived from the individuals with periodontitis ( P-PDLSCs ) . And to determine the effect of MORF on the osteogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs. Methods: Human H-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs were cultured and cloned with limited dilution method. H-PDLSCs were stimulated by LPS, TNF-α, IL-β and the mix of the 3 inflammatory factors to imitate inflammatory environment ( IP-PDLSCs ) . Quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot were applied to examine different expression of MORF in H-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs. Western Blot was applied to detect expression of MORF in IP-PDLSCs. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot and alizarin red staining were applied to determine osteogenic differentiation potential of H-PDLSCs with MORF knock-down. Results:Quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot showed lower expression of MORF in P-PDLSCs compared with H-PDLSCs( P<0. 05). Western Blot revealed lower expression of MORF in IP-PDLSCs. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot and alizarin red stai-ning indicated osteogenic differentiation potential was inhibited in H-PDLSCs with MORF knockdown(P<0. 05). Conclusion: Peri-odontitis can suppress the expression of MORF in PDLSCs and inhibite the osteogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs.

Objective To analyze the result of treatment for acute-on-chronic liver failure patients with fast high efficiency Nucleoside and to explore the relations among inhibition to virus replication , liver failure development and immune rejection .Methods Sixty-two cases of acute-on-chronic liver failure pa-tients with HBV DNA(+) were divided into study group (treated with a kind of fast and nucleoside , n =30) and control group( n =32).HBV DNA,CD4 +T,CD8 +T, C3,C4 TBIL,PTA were observed at treat-ment 0w,2w and 4w.Results All of the study and control group patients , serum HBV DNA were positive before treated.And the levels of CD4+,CD8 +,C3,C 4,TBIL,PTA of study group were not significantly compared with control group .At treatment 2w , the rate of HBV DNA diverted negative in study group 90.0%(27/30), was significantly more then control group (9.4%, 3/32)(χ2=37.14 , P <0.01).But the CD4 +,CD8 +,C3,C4,TBIL,PTA levels were not significantly however between study and control group . At treatment 4w ,the rate of HBV DNA diverted negative in study group (96.7%, 29/30), was significant-ly more then control group(12.5%,4/32) (χ2 =40.74, P <0.01).CD4 +, CD8 +,C3,C4,TBIL,PTA levels of the study group were significantly more compared with the control group .The CD4 +level of study group (495.33 ±89.91)cells/ml, was higher significantly then control group (270.34 ±97.74)cells/ml( t=9.42, P <0.01),the CD8 +level (571.03 ±120.15 ) cells/ml, was higher significantly then control group(224.88 ±79.68)cells/ml( t =13.45, P <0.01).The C3 level of the study group (0.28 ±0.11) g/L, was lower significantly then control group ( 0.68 ±0.13 ) g/L ( t =13.13 , P <0.01 ) , the C4 level (0.12 ±0.06)g/L, was lower significantly then control group (0.23 ±0.10)g/L( t =4.92, P <0.01). The TBIL level of study group ( 653.93 ±131.02 )μmol/L, was higher significantly then control group (285.63 ±154.63)μmol/L( t =10.09, P <0.01),the PTA level (17.13 ±7.07)%, was lower signifi-cantly then control group(50.94 ±13.68)%( t =12.10, P <0.01).The death rate of the study group( 57.9%) was higher significantly compared with the control group (28.1%)(χ2 =6.39, P <0.05).Con-clusion Treatment of chronic severe hepatitis with fast and high efficiency nucleoside may arise the T cell subset level and make the immune rejection strength , as a result the liver failure maybe far away from cure .

Objective To screen and identify B cell epitopes in SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, GRA1, GRA6 and P35 antigens of Toxoplasma gondii. Methods The indexes such as hydrophilicity, accessibility, flexibility, secondary structure and polarity of the 6 antigen moleculars above mentioned were analyzed by BioSun system. Two B cell epitopes with high antigenicity from each antigen molecular were selected, and the total twelve pairs of oligonucleotide chains were designed according to the 12 B cell epitopes’ sequence and synthesized, then cloned into plasmid pET-32c. The 12 fragment B cell epitopes were expressed and the expressed fusion proteins were identified with Western blot. Results Twelve B cell epitopes from 6 Toxoplasma antigens (two from each antigen) were predicted and selected. The epitope genes were successfully cloned into pET-32c and expressed. Western blot results showed that 3 of 12 expressed fusion proteins could be recognized by the immunized rabbit sera with soluble antigen of Toxoplasma gondii, but not by the unimmunized rabbit sera Conclusion Three B cell epitopes of Toxoplasma[with potential diagnostic value are obtained.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of the displaced neck and subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal.

METHODSThirty-one patients with the neck and subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal had been operated on with antegrade intramedullary fixation between January and August 2005. There was 11 subcapital fractures (group A), and 20 neck fractures (group B). Following closed reduction of the fracture, a blunt 2.0 mm diameter K-wire, which was pre-bent into 20 degrees at the distal end, was inserted into the medullary canal of the fifth metacarpal and fixed the fractures. Postoperatively, patients in group A were immobilized in a short arm plaster splint for 4 weeks, and the ones in group B were treated with unrestricted mobilization.

RESULTSOperative time was 18 min averagely (range 5 to 30 min). Twenty-nine of 31 patients obtained anatomic reduction, and 2 patients had 2/3 apposition of bone end and no rotational deformity. Follow-up was available for all patients. The average follow-up interval was 4 months, with a range of 3 - 6 months. The head/shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal in group A was 63.4 degrees +/- 14.5 degrees preoperatively, and 15.0 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees postoperatively, and 15.4 degrees +/- 2.6 degrees in 3 months postoperatively. The difference between preoperative and postoperative angles was highly significant. The range of motion of the metacarpal joint was 89.5 degrees +/- 4.3 degrees postoperatively, which was not significantly different compared with that of uninjured side. The head/shaft angle in group B was 59.1 degrees +/- 10.0 degrees preoperatively, and 15.9 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees postoperatively, and 15.5 degrees +/- 2.8 degrees in 3 months postoperatively. The difference between preoperative and postoperative angles was highly significant. The range of motion of the metacarpal joint was 88.6 degrees +/- 3.6 degrees postoperatively, which was not significantly different compared with that of uninjured side.

CONCLUSIONSThe technique is technically easy to perform, minimally invasive, low-cost, allowing early hand mobilization, with good functional results and low morbidity, and it has been proved to be an ideal method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpus ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome