Objective:To design and construct the replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus Ad-siCTGF which can silence the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) by RNA interference and verified its function. Methods:A specific sequence, which was verified to be able to silence CTGF gene with high efficiency, was cloned into pSES-HUS vector to produce the shuttle plasmid pSES-siCTGF. The plasmid after Pme Ⅰ linearization was cotransduced with pAdEasy into BJ5183 E.coli strains to construct recombinant vector Ad-siCTGF. After linearization treatment with Pac Ⅰ enzyme digestion Ad-siCTGF was transfected into HEK293 cells via liposome mediation. The recombinant adenovirus was packaged. The titer of the Ad-siCTGF was increased after three times of cross-infection. 4T1 cells were infected with the adenovirus. The silencing efficiency was tested by real-time fluorescence quantitative (RFQ)-PCR and Western blotting.Results:Pac Ⅰ enzyme digestion electrophoresis indentified that recombinant adenovirus was successfully constructed. The titer of the recombinant adenovirus Ad-siCTGF was 2.6×10~(10) pfu/mL after amplification and purification. The CTGF mRNA and protein expression in 4T1 cells were decreased by 36.27% and 31.56%, respectively, compared with the control groups.Conclusion:The recombinant adenovirus which can silence the expression of CTGF was successfully constructed. It laid a good foundation for further investigation of the action mechanism of CTGF in tumor cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of Nontuberculous mycobacteria in the environment of Shenzhen city and its related sensitivity to drugs.

METHODS145 samples in the environment of Shenzhen city were collected and the samples were isolated, identified and its drug sensitivity were detected according to the "Procedure of Bacteriological Determination Regulation for Tuberculous Diagnosis", issued in 1995 by the Antituberculosis Association of China.

RESULTSAll together, 53 strains of Mycobacteria were detected from the 145 sample, including 6 of them isolated from the polluted water in the hospital before disinfected, 4 from the polluted water in the hospital after disinfected, 4 from the dirt of air condition in the hospital, 34 from the polluted water in the residential area, 3 from the ocean water and 2 from the fountain. M. nonchromogenicum, M. avium, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. genavense, M. chelonae and M. intracellulare were identified.

CONCLUSIONNontuberculous mycobacteria seemed to widely exist in the environment of Shenzhen city and the ratio of drug-resistant was high. Attention should be paid to the influence of Nontuberculous mycobacteria on humans in order to formulate effective control measure.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Water Microbiology

BACKGROUNDCC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), expressed on some inflammatory cells, is a member of the chemokine receptor family. Its ligand is eotaxin/CCL11. In this research, we studied the expression and function of CCR3 induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) on human germinal centre (GC) B cells.

METHODSCells isolated from human tonsils were stimulated with IL-2 or/and IL-4 followed by bonding with eotaxin/CCL11. Flow cytometry was used to detect expression of CCR3 on GC B cells and apoptosis of GC B cells. Real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot assays were used to analyse the CCR3 mRNA expressed in the GC B cells. Chemotaxis and adhesion assays were used to determine the effect of eotaxin/CCL11 ligand bonded to CCR3 on GC B cells.

RESULTSThere was no CCR3 expression on human freshly isolated GC B cells. The combination IL-2 and IL-4 could upregulate CCR3 mRNA and protein expression on GC B cells. Eotaxin could not induce GC B cell chemotaxis and adhesion but triggered apoptosis of GC B cells.

CONCLUSIONIL-2 and IL-4 together induced expression of CCR3 on GC B cells, and the receptor acted as a death receptor.

Apoptosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte ; Germinal Center ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, CCR3 ; Receptors, Chemokine ; genetics

This article introduces a new-type anti-rotation reduction internal fixator, which can be applied in various spine fractures and dislocations in order to shorten the operation time, to raise reduction effect, and to reduce the complications such as the loss of reduction, broken nail, broken rod etc. Biomechanical tests and clinical applications have proved that the internal fixator has the features of a short operation time, a definite fixation and few complications.
Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Equipment Design ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the factors affecting the management and treatment of immigrant workers with tuberculosis, to determine the most effective measures and to provide an academic basis for tuberculosis control and prevention strategies targeting the immigrant population.

METHODSA self-designed questionnaire was administered to 1364 immigrant workers with tuberculosis (study group) and 436 local residents (control group) with tuberculosis.

RESULTSWhether a patient's tuberculosis status was discovered or not was related to the medical facilities initially visited, job mobility, and the individual worker's economic condition. The percentage of cases discovered was relatively low among those who made their first visit to a private clinic (39.0%), and 58.4% (796) of immigrant workers delayed their first consultation mainly due to neglecting symptoms (55.9%, 445), subjective perception of symptoms being not severe enough (19.3%, 154) to visit a physician and the inconvenience of visiting a hospital because of its being far away from home (15.8%, 47). As comparing immigrant workers with local residents, the differences of the delay reason between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 21.49, P < 0.01). And 39.9% (544) of immigrant workers and 49.1% (214) of local residents had had late confirmation. The differences of the delay reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 7.31, P = 0.293). And 17.6% (240) patients of immigrant workers and 13.1% (57) patients of local residents did not keep to their drug regimens in a timely fashion. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 6.66, P > 0.05). And 77.5% (1057) of immigrant workers and 31.8% (138) of local residents were considered that taking medicine in supervision spot might have impact on their lives and work. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were significant (chi(2) = 9.71, P < 0.05). All 79.2% (1080) of immigrant workers and 63.3% (276) of local residents did not obtain medicine according to prescriptions. The differences of reasons between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 24.84, P < 0.01). And 51.2% (699) of immigrant workers and 46.1% (201) of the registered population did not follow up with doctors' directions for lab tests. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 3.26, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe influential factors in tuberculosis management and treatment were complex. Prevention strategies should focus on health education and promotion activities to improve awareness in seeking medical services. Also, developing and standardizing reference mechanisms for patients, and alleviating the economic burden of the workers will be critical to reduce the tuberculosis incidence.

China ; epidemiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Transients and Migrants ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore and evaluate the effects of combination intervention model conducted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention and activity place to men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODSTo implement one-year combination intervention in 4 MSM venues during May, 2009 and April, 2010. Meanwhile, 3 similar MSM venues were chosen as control. MSM places introduced CDC to consumption crowds. Experts and volunteers sent by CDC undertook health education programme on site and condom, lubricant, pamphlet, consultation, test were provided at the same time. The intervention measures applied to control only included providing pamphlet, condom, lubricant by volunteers. Investigations were conducted among subjects of combination intervention group and control group before (111, 120 subjects) and after (105, 98 subjects) the intervention with questions related to knowledge and behavior of AIDS prevention.

RESULTSAfter one-year intervention, among MSM with combination intervention, the awareness rate of knowledge level about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) increased from 73.0% (81/111) to 91.7% (110/120), proportion of condom-use with male at last anal intercourse increased from 73.0% (81/111) to 85.0% (102/120), ratio of never-use condom with male decreased from 10.8% (11/102) to 1.7% (2/112), percentage of acquiring AIDS-related service and intervention improved significantly, acquiring condom (lubricant) increased from 70.3% (78/111) to 85.0% (102/120), acquiring peer education increased from 10.8% (12/111) to 24.2% (29/120), the proportion of acquiring counseling and testing of HIV increased from 69.4% (77/111) to 90.8% (109/120) (all P values < 0.05). The above index show no statistic difference before and after the intervention (all P values > 0.05) in control MSM venues.

CONCLUSIONCombination intervention model was an effective intervention model contributing to an increase in knowledge of AIDS prevention and decreasing high risk behavior in MSM population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Adult ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Risk-Taking ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the application of HE and enzyme histochemical staining in assessing the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells coagulated by microwave ablation at different temperatures.

METHODSTwo groups of mice (n=6) with transplanted homogenic HCC were treated by microwave ablation at 60 degrees C and 50 degrees C for 3 min, respectively. Before and after microwave ablation, paraffin sections and frozen sections of the tumors were prepared for routine HE staining and enzyme histochemical staining with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase (NADH-diaphorase), respectively, and observed under microscope.

RESULTSShortly after microwave ablation, the morphology and arrangements of the nucleus of the ablated tumor cells in the two groups showed no obvious alteration in HE stained sections, but in sections with enzyme histochemical staining, the activity of NADH-diaphorase in ablated tumor tissue at 60 degrees C disappeared, suggesting the death of HCC cells; sporadic activity of the enzyme was detected in the coagulated tumor at 50 degrees C, indicating tumor cells surviving the ablation. The ablation effect was markedly different between the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHE staining is not suitable for evaluation of HCC destruction immediately after microwave ablation, and detection of NADH-diaphorase activity with the enzyme histochemical method better suits this purpose.

Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Female ; Histocytochemistry ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Temperature

BACKGROUNDDefinitive treatment for heart attack is early reperfusion with either angioplasty or thrombolytic therapy, and the benefit is strictly time-dependent. Patient outcomes are improved with either therapy when initiated as soon as possible. Recognition of heart attack symptoms is logically tied to taking action to receive prompt emergency care. Inadequate knowledge of heart attack symptoms may prolong delay. The purpose of this study was to document knowledge about heart attack symptoms in Beijing residents and to identify the characteristics associated with increased knowledge of heart attack.

METHODSA structured survey was conducted in 18 communities in Beijing from March 1 through June 10 in 2006. Addresses and participants were selected randomly following a stratification. The survey was designed to collect knowledge of heart attack symptoms from sampled adults in each community.

RESULTSA total of 4627 respondents completed the questionnaires correctly, and 50.29% of them were female. Totally 64.15% of the respondents reported chest pain or discomfort (common symptoms) as a symptom of heart attack; 75.38% reported at least one of the following eight symptoms as a symptom of heart attack: back pain, shortness of breath, arm pain or numbness, nausea or vomiting, neck, jaw or shoulder pain, epigastric pain, sweating, weakness (less common symptoms); 20.36% correctly reported four or more heart attack symptoms, only 7.4% knew all the correct heart attack symptoms, and 28.94% knew about reperfusion therapy for heart attack; 31.7% reported to call 120 or 999 while having a heart attack themselves; however 89.6% reported to call 120 or 999 when someone else is suffering from a heart attack. Very old persons and those with health insurance coverage, high education level, high household income, longer living in Beijing and previous experience with heart disease had greater knowledge of heart attack symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSPublic knowledge of common heart attack symptoms as well as less common heart attack symptoms is deficient in Beijing residents. But their knowledge of calling emergency medical services when someone is having a heart attack is relatively adequate. Public health efforts are needed to increase the recognition of the major heart attack symptoms in both the general public and groups at high risk for an acute cardiac event, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups, including persons with low education level, low household income, and no health insurance coverage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; Public Health ; Sex Characteristics ; Socioeconomic Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect on intervention of sub-health with pestle needle (Chuzhen).

METHODRandomized controlled trail was adopted for this research. One hundred and fifty-three cases were randomly divided into two groups of a Chuzhen group (79 cases) and a massage group (74 cases). Acupoint of Bazhen (Baihui Bazhen, Shendao Bazhen, Zhiyang Bazhen, Mingmen Bazhen, Yaoyangguan Bazhen), Hechelu on the head, the neck and the lumbar area were adopted in Chuzhen group. While regular whole-body massage was applied in the massage group. The human sub-health score, the cornell medical index (CMI) and thermal texture maps system (TTM) technology of the two groups before and after the intervention were observed.

RESULTS1) After treatment, sub-health condition score, the CMI score, the M-R score and the TTM index were all increased in both groups (all P<0.01) 2) Comparison of D-value of the two groups before and after the intervention: the level of the sub-health score, the total score of CMI, and the index of sleep, pressure, Governor Vessel, Hukou (first web), blood lipid, viscosity of blood, microcirculation of TTM index of the Chuzhen group changed more obvious (all P<0.01), but there was no statistic significances in the M-R score and blood sugar of the TTM (both P>0.05). 3) The sub-health condition score in Chuzhen group was higher than that in the massage group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONChuzhen therapy has definite effect on intervention of sub-health, which is better than regular general massage.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cornell Medical Index ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the features of hypertension and vessel endothelium functional parameter in people living at the community level as well as the risk factors of hypertension. Differences of angiotensin II (Ang II ), prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) among normal group and three hypertension groups were also studied.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, 1134 adult Han people were selected from the residential communities. Medical history was documented and measurements of body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were performed. Serum NO levels were determined by cadmium reduction method while plasma Ang II and PGI2 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay. SPSS 13.0 was used for data analysis.

RESULTSThe total ratio of hypertension from people living at the community was 44.5%, with the standardized prevalence of hypertension as 15.3%. With the increase of age, the prevalence of hypertension also increased. Overweight and obesity seemed to be independent risk factors for hypertension. History of smoking and drinking and gender did not enter the logistic equation for hypertension. The amount of plasma Ang II concentration of the three hypertension groups was significantly lower than that in the normal group while the lowest group appeared to from the one that hypertension was under control. The NO and PGI2 levels of the two groups whose hypertension had been known were significantly higher than in the normal group while the difference between the group whose hypertension had not been measured and the normal group was not found.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hypertension had been increasing. Control of body weight seemed to be a useful way for prevention of hypertension. We assumed that the negative feedback regulation of renin-angiotonin-aldosterone system in hypertension patient still existed which called for the research on the mechanism of hypertension.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Angiotensin II ; analysis ; Cluster Analysis ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; Epoprostenol ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors