Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial second messenger of growing recognition involved in the regulation of a number of complex physiological processes. In combinations to the related progress of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causing agent of bacterial blight of rice in our lab, this review describes (1) the biosynthesis and hydrolysis of c-di-GMP and several mechanisms of regulation of c-di-GMP metabo-lism, (2) the contribution of c-di-GMP to regulating virulence, motility and biofilm formation, processes that affect pathogenesis of many bacteria, and (3) ways in which c-di-GMP may mediate these regulatory effects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of the posterior C1,2 screw-rod combined with C2 unilateral translaminar screw and contralateral pedicle screw fixation and autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion in treating upper cervical instability with vertebral artery variations.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to December 2012, the clinical data of 12 patients with upper cervical instability underwent C1 lateral mass screws-C2 unilateral laminar and contralateral pedicle screws fixation combined with autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion were analyzed retrospectively. There were 8 males and 4 females with a mean age of 47.5 years (ranged, 16 to 77 years). Patients suffered from occipitocervical activity limitation of motion with pain or not, VAS was 0-7 points with an average of (3.50 +/- 2.71) points. Unilateral vertebral artery hypoplasia was demonstrated by vertebral arteriography (VAG) or CTA in all patients. Cervical X-ray and CT scans were done within 7 days after surgery in order to confirm internal fixation position. Internal fixation loosening and breakage, reduction losing, bone fusion ratio were observed during follow-up.

RESULTSNo nerves and vertebral artery injuries occurred during operation. Cervical pain obviously decreased and VAS was (0.92 +/- 0.90) points. Cervical alignment of 12 patients had well-recovered by X-ray while Atlantoaxial ventral lamina cortex of 1 case was encroached by CT scan without neurological symptom. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years, no internal fixation loosening and breakage, reduction losing were found. All patients obtained bone fusion in 6-12 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONPosterior C1 lateral mass screws-C2 unilateral laminar and contralateral pedicle screws fixation combined with autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion can achieve biomechanical stability and raise the successful rate of bone fusion, while avoiding the risk of vertebral artery injury and overcoming the insufficient of bone fusion during bilateral laminar screws placement as well. Posterior C1 lateral mass screws fixation is a safe and effective additional method in treating upper cervical instability with vertebral artery variations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vertebral Artery ; pathology

Recent studies have revealed that the interactions of nervous and immune system play a role in the advancement of allergy diseases. Allergy diseases are the consequence of an aberrant response from the immune system to foreign substances and harmful stimuli, have high incidence and the related allergic symptoms seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Specific immune mediator receptors [such as type 1 histamine receptors (H1R), protease activating receptor 2 (PAR-2), tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)] may be expressed on the surface of neurons and nerve fibers of the nervous system, while neuropeptide receptors [such as neurokinin receptor-1 (NK-1R), vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VPAC)] and neurotransmitter receptors [such as α7 acetylcholine nicotinoid-like receptor (α7nAChR), Beta 2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR)] may also be expressed on the immune cell membrane in the immune system. Therefore, esthesioneure can be activated by inflammatory mediators secreted by immune cells to conduct sensation and release neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, while the function of immune cells can be regulated by neuropeptides and neurotransmitters from the nervous system. Further understanding the role of neuroimmune in allergic diseases may provide guidance for the treatment of allergic diseases.

【Objective】 To study the differentiate expression genes and regulation signaling pathways related to the occurrence and development of dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure, we used bioinformatics methods to explore gene chip in gene expression omnibus(GEO) and genes related to dilated cardiomyopathy in online mendelian inheritance in man(OMIM) . 【Methods】 GSE21610 and GSE29919 chip gene sets sequenced by Herz- &Diabeteszentrum NRW laboratory of the University of Bochum, Germany with myocardial biopsy specimens from clinical cases under the platform GPL570 and uploaded to GEO public database were selected to perform our study. Myocardial biopsy specimens from dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure and normal cardiac function were regarded as the experimental group(14 and 21 cases, respectively) and the control group(12 and 8 cases, respectively). Up-regulated expression genes with the criteria: P < 0.05, were screened in GEO2R with the selected samples of two chips, which were then used to perform kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathways analysis, gene ontology(GO) function analysis, and protein-protein interaction(PPI) analysis, and the results were displayed through Volcano map, Venn map, Heat map, and Bubble charts with enrichment pathways drawn by R language packages. Meanwhile, KEGG pathways with the criteria: NOM. P < 0.05, and core genes relating to dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure were performed through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). All candidate genes were then intersected with the reported genes in the OMIM, respectively, and clinical significance of these candidate genes was explored in relevant literatures. 【Results】 A total of 173 up-regulated expression genes with P < 0.05, were obtained by GEO2R, which are mainly related to inflammatory signals, cell proliferation and differentiation regulating, and classical apoptotic signaling pathways. These genes were intersected with the 754 reported genes in OMIM, and three reported up-regulated expression genes were obtained: NPPA for diagnosis of heart failure, APOA1 that associates with cytokine action, and COL6A1 that regulates lateral tubular remodeling. 158 and 46 core genes from KEGG pathways with NOM. P < 0.05 were obtained by GSEA, respectively, which were then intersected with the 754 reported genes in OMIM, and two core genes were obtained: PRKCA, enhancing myocardial contractility, and BMP2, promoting the development of heart failure. 【Conclusions】 Based on bioinformatics analysis, we found that the candidate genes PRKCA, BMP2, NPPA, and COL6A1 are likely to be closely related to the occurrence and development of dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure, which can be used to reveal meaningful therapeutic clues and directions for the clinical treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy with advanced cardiac dysfunction.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate male serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in assessing semen quality and predicting the pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODSA total of 103 male patients under ICSI were allotted to Groups A (normal sperm concentration control, n = 29), B (oligospermia, n = 27), C (obstructive azoospermia, n = 29) and D (non-obstructive azoospermia, n = 18). The contents of serum AMH and other related sexual hormones were determined by ELISA, and their correlations were analyzed with the seminal quality on the day of semen collection and with the pregnancy outcomes after ICSI.

RESULTSThe contents of male serum AMH were (5.03 +/- 0.44), (3.70 +/- 0.44), (5.39 +/- 0.71) and (7.31 +/- 1.64) pmol/L, respectively, in Groups A, B, C and D, with no statistically significant differences among the four groups (F = 2.02, P > 0.05). The egg fertilization rate of the 103 couples was (76.13 +/- 23.66) %, not significantly correlated with the male serum AMH level (P > 0.05). The contents of male serum AMH in the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups were (6.19 +/- 1.05) and (4.72 +/- 1.64) pmol/L, respectively, with no significant difference (t = 1.281, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe level of male serum AMH can neither reflect spermatogenesis of men nor predict the egg fertilization rate and pregnancy outcomes after ICSI, and therefore cannot be used alone as a serological predictive marker of ICSI outcomes.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prognosis ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

The identification of menstrual blood belongs to the forensic examination of bloodstains. The traditional methods for detecting menstrual blood were reviewed and their obstacles in forensic application were discussed. Matrix metalloproteinase-11 is a kind of protease which degrades the extracellular matrix. Some researches had indicated that matrix metalloproteinase-11 might be a new marker for specifically and sensitively detecting menstrual blood. The structure, function of matrix metalloproteinase-11 and its application in menstrual blood identification were reviewed.
Blood Stains ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 11/metabolism* ; Menstruation/blood* ; RNA, Messenger/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: To prove the feasibility of detecting menstrual blood as well as its cellular localization with rabbit-anti-human matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11) polyclonal antibody. METHODS: MMP-11 in menstrual blood, peripheral blood, vaginal liquid, aged menstrual bloodstain, and endometrium sections were assayed with SAP immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MMP-11 was found only in menstrual samples within stroma and epithelium cells. CONCLUSION MMP-11 polyclonal antibody may be applied in the distinction between menstrual blood and venous blood.
Adult ; Endometrium/pathology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 11/analysis* ; Menstrual Cycle/blood*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the differences in Haversian system between human and animal bones through imaging analysis and morphology description. METHODS: Thirty-five slices grinding from human being as well as dog, pig, cow and sheep bones were observed to compare their structure, then were analysed with the researchful microscope. RESULTS: Plexiform bone or oeston band was not found in human bones; There were significant differences in the shape, size, location, density of Haversian system, between human and animal bones. The amount of Haversian lamella and diameter of central canal in human were the biggest; Significant differences in the central canal diameter and total area percentage between human and animal bones were shown by imaging analysis. CONCLUSION (1) Plexiform bone and osteon band could be the exclusive index in human bone; (2) There were significant differences in the structure of Haversian system between human and animal bones; (3) The percentage of central canals total area was valuable in species identification through imaging analysis.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone and Bones/ultrastructure* ; Cattle ; Dogs ; Haversian System/ultrastructure* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Microscopy, Electron ; Sheep ; Species Specificity ; Swine ; Tibia/ultrastructure*

OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel technique of optical recording and its validation for assessment of the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine, a L-type calcium channel blocker. METHODS: In vitro ischemia was induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD), the light transmittance (LT) of rat hippocampal slices undergoing OGD and reperfusion was quantitated using a simple apparatus relying on basic principles of light transmittance and a computerised image analysis system. RESULTS: OGD was associated with increased LT in the stratum radiatum of CA1 area and the dentate gyrus in hippocampal slices. Peak LT occurred (7.59 +/-1.42) min after OGD, followed by a marked decrease in LT (n=15 slices). Nimodipine administration (0.5 &mgr;mol/L, n=10 slices, 5 &mgr;mol/L, n=9 slices) appeared to protect the tissue from OGD damage by inhibiting elevation of LT, However, 50 &mgr;mol/L nimodipine resulted in increased LT (25.83 +/-6.32). min after administration (n=11 slices). CONCLUSION: LT signal measurement is a non-invasive, reliable method for determination of neuronal damage in ischemic rat brain slices Nimodipine is demonstrated opposite neuroprotective effects depending on its dose.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation among prevertebral hyperintensity (PVH), sagittal canal diameter on MRI and neurologic function of patients after cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 100 patients with cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed from September 2010 to December 2013. The patients were divided into PVH group and non-PVH group according to the presence of PVH on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. There were 39 patients in PVH group, including 31 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 83 years old with an average of (58.10 ± 14.78) years; and the other 69 patients in non-PVH group, including 49 males and 12 females, aged from 32 to 77 years old with an average of (55.05 ± 10.36) years. The sagittal disc level canal diameters of subaxial cervical spine were measured on mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging. The age, sex, cause of injury, and the segments of spinal stenosis were recorded. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and motor score were used to evaluate the neurological status.

RESULTSThe ASIA motor score of the group with PVH was 52.56 ± 31.97 while the ASIA motor score was 67.70 ± 22.83 in non-PVH group (P = 0.013). More patients with intramedullary hyperintensity signal on MRI were observed in the PVH group than in non-PVH group (P = 0.006). There was a significant positive correlation between ASIA motor score and sagittal disc level canal diameter of injury segment (P = 0.003). The neurological status was worse in patients with multi-level sagittal canal diameters below 8 mm.

CONCLUSIONThe PVH and the disc-level canal sagittal diameter of the injury segment are associated with neurological status. The patients with multi-level sagittal canal stenosis are vulnerable to severe cervical spinal cord injury.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; pathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology