The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of the affiliation number was incorrect. The corrected one is given below.Zhong-zhu AI () 1†.

To find a fast and efficient way of identifying seven common dermatophytes in clinical practice, we used the techniques of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting Topoisomerase II gene. The DNA of 7 dermatophytes, along with Candida albicans, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus were amplified by consensus primer dPsD1. They were then subjected to a second PCR with primers dPsD2 and species-specific primers PsT and PsME separately. 6 of the products generated by dPsD2 were digested with restriction enzyme Hinc II. DNA fragments of 3390 bp and 2380 bp was amplified by using consensus primer dPsD1 and dPsD2 from the genomic DNA of each dermatophyte species separately. By combining the results of the two species-specific primer sets (PsT and PsME), all species of dermatophyte yielded unique sizes-set of PCR products expect for T. mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans. From the restriction profiles of Hinc II, 6 of the 7 dermatophytoses were diagnosed to species level including T. mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans. By combining the results of the PCR and PCR-RFLP, the 7 common dermatophytes can be identified to species level. It is conclude that the multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP identification targeting the DNA topoisomerase II gene is rapid and efficient.
Arthrodermataceae ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Aspergillus ; isolation & purification ; Candida albicans ; isolation & purification ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; genetics ; Dermatomycoses ; microbiology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Trichophyton ; isolation & purification

To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 mRNA in local tissues of model of oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice and to explore the potential role of TLR2 and TLR4 in earlier period of immune response, a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis inoculated by cotton wool balls saturated with Candida albicans was established. Mice were sacrificed at the indicated time points and the oropharyngeal tissues were excised. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that low level of TLR2/4 mRNA could be detected in oropharyngeal tissues, but they were markedly up-regulated 6 h after inoculation, peaking after 12-24 h. Tissue TLR4 mRNA was gradually down-regulated 24-48 h, while TLR2 mRNA levels remained high up to the 72nd h. These data suggested that oropharyngeal infection of Candida albicans could result in up-regulation of TLR2/4 mRNA expression in local tissues, which might play important roles in earlier period of immune response.
Animals ; Candidiasis ; metabolism ; Candidiasis, Oral ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mouth Mucosa ; metabolism ; Pharyngitis ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and its relationship to apoptosis and proliferation in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha and PCNA. Tunnel technique was used to detect in situ cell apoptosis in LSCC. Our results showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha was related to the clinical stages of cancer and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The relationship between HIF-1alpha and PCNA was statistically significant (P<0.05) and no relationship was found between HIF-1alpha and apoptosis (P>0.05) It is concluded that HIF-1alpha plays a role in the carcinogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma and is correlated with proliferation, but bears no relationship with the apoptosis of tumor cells in LSCC.
Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To study whether cultured bovine trabecluar meshwork cells (BTMC) are capable of expressing tTG in protein and at mRNA level, BTMC were cultured in vitro and passaged three times, then the cells were transferred onto or cultured on sterile cover or submitted to isolation of RNA with Trizol, and the expression of tTG was detected by immunohistochemical technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. Our results showed that tTG immunostaining was positive in the cytoplasm and rarely in the nucleus of cultured BTMC. No immunostaining was seen in the negative control. Moreover, a single RT-PCR amplified product whose sequence and size were in accordance with our known parameters was obtained. The expression of tTG in cultured BTMC was confirmed in protein and at mRNA level. BMTC is available more readily for the investigation of the relationship between tTG and primary open-angle glaucoma.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trabecular Meshwork ; metabolism ; Transglutaminases ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To explore the roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60) in women with tubal factor infertility (TFI) associated with Chlamydia trachomatis, and to determine the mechanisms of fallopian adhesions in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections, the expressions of TNF-alpha and HSP-60 were quantitatively determined in 60 cases of TFI and 30 controls by immunohistochemical technique. The patients with TFI were further divided into group A and group B according to the CT-DNA of cervical specimens of PCR. The quantitative analysis was conducted by employing computerized image analysis system. It is found that the expressions of TNF-alpha and HSP-60 were much higher in TFI patients than those of controls. Among CT-HSP responders, a stronger expression was correlated with more severe salpingeal pathology. It is concluded that TNF-alpha and HSP-60 play very important roles in fallopian tube adhesion and occlusion in TFI due to CT infection.
Adult ; Chaperonin 60 ; blood ; Chlamydia Infections ; blood ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Fallopian Tube Diseases ; complications ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between prognosis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and zinc in mature women, in order to explore the effect of serum zinc on HCMV infection. 900 mature woman were examined for zinc level and serum HCMV specific antibodies (IgG and IgM). 63 HCMV-IgM positive cases were divided into 3 subgroups according to their serum zinc level, and HCMV-IgM was observed for conversion after treatment with a Chinese traditional medicine (Jinyebadu). Our results showed that the mean concentration of zinc in serum was significantly lower in HCMV-IgM(+) group than that in HCMV-IgM(-) group (P<0.001). A positive correlation was found between the response of mature females with HCMV infection to the treatment and the levels of serum zinc (P<0.001). The response of mature women with HCMV is poor when the serum zinc is lower than 0.70.
Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Zinc ; blood

To study the expression of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) in endometrium of pregnant mice during the peri-implantation period and the role of DKK-1 during the embryo implantation in mice. Immunohistochemical technique was employed to determine the location of DKK-1 protein in endometrium, and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized to determine the levels of DKK-1 mRNA. Our results showed that the expressions of DKK1 mRNA and protein were higher in experimental groups than in control group (P<0.01) and it increased significantly on day 3 and reached its peak on day 4, and then decreased gradually on day 5-7. The levels of DKK-1 mRNA and protein on day 4 was significantly higher than those of other groups (P<0.01). It is concluded that DKK-1 probably plays an important role in signal transudation of embryo implantation and its high expression indicates the opening of implantation window.
Animals ; Embryo Implantation ; genetics ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

To investigate the relationship between the insulin resistance (IR) of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rat model induced by dehydroeplandrosterone (DHEA) and hormonal changes in the ovarium and the resistin mRNA levels in adipose tissue, 21-day-old female SD rats were divided into two groups in pairs. The rats in group 1 were injected daily (s.c.) with DHEA for up to 20 days and the rats in group 2 injected with oil at the same time. Ovarian weight, serum insulin levels and sex hormone levels in rat blood of both groups were determined. Oral glucose tolerance tests, light microscopic and electronic microscopic examination were performed. The levels of resistin mRNA in adipose tissue were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that the ovarian weight in group 1 was greater than that in group 2 (P<0.05). The ovaria in group 1 showed multiple follicular cysts, The serum testeosterone and etrasdiol concentration were significantly higher in group 1 than those in group 2 (P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively), so as the fasting serum glucose (P<0.001) and fasting serum insulin (P<0.05). The value of 1/FINS x FGC was significantly higher in group 1 than that in group 2 (P<0.001). Moreover, the resistin mRNA level of white adipose tissue in the DHEA-induced group was significantly higher than that in the control rats (P<0.05). It is concluded that the DHEA-induced PCOS rat models were similar to those of the patients with PCOS, and the IR was observed. Resistin secreted by adipose tissue may mediate IR in PCOS, and it is likely involved in the pathogenesis and development of PCOS.
Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Resistin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Testosterone ; blood

To evaluate the feasibility of using polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated magnetic iron.oxide nanoparticles (polyMAG-1000) as gene vectors. The surface characteristics of the nanoparticles were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the nanoparticles to combine with and protect DNA was investigated at different PH values after polyMAG-1000 and DNA were combined in different ratios. The nanoparticles were tested as gene vectors with in vitro transfection models. Under the scanning electron microscope the nanoparticles were about 100 nm in diameter. The nanoparticles could bind and condense DNA under acid, neutral and alkaline conditions, and they could transfer genes into cells and express green fluorescent proteins (GFP). The transfection efficiency was highest (51%) when the ratio of nanoparticles to DNA was 1:1 (v:w). In that ratio, the difference in transfection efficiency was marked depending on whether a magnetic field was present or not: about 10% when it was absent but 51% when it was present. The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PEI may potentially be used as gene vectors.
Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Gene Targeting ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Polyethyleneimine ; chemistry ; Transfection ; methods