Abstract: Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Ankang City from 2011 to 2021, so as to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of PTB prevention and control strategy. Methods Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of PTB in Ankang City from 2011 to 2021, and a time series model was established to quantitatively predict the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in 2023. Results The incidence rate in Ankang City showed a significant upward trend from 2011 to 2017, and a more obvious downward trend in 2017-2021 (P<0.05), and the decrease rate in 2021 was 40.36% compared with that in 2017. The proportion of etiological positivity increased from 12.5% in 2014 to over 50.00% after 2019. The incidence season was mainly concentrated in the first quarter, accounting for 28.39% of the annual incidence. High incidence areas were concentrated in the south of Ankang: Langao County, Ziyang County and Zhenping County, with 128.32/100 000, 117.07/100 000 and 110.44/100 000, respectively. Low incidence areas were located in the north of Ankang: Ningshan County, with 60.62/100 000. Farmers and students were the high incidence groups, accounting for 81.80% and 4.97% of the total cases respectively. The incidence of young children was relatively low, but cases were reported every year. The incidence rate of male was 2.39 times that of female. The age of onset increased significantly from 15 years old, and the peak incidence was in the age group of 60-<80 years old, followed by the age group of 45-<60 years old, the average annual incidence was 136.44/100 000 and 104.47/100 000, respectively. The model ARIMA(0,1,1)(0,1,1)12 predicted that the incidence of the disease generally increased from October 2022 to March 2023, then steadily decreased, and increased again in December. Conclusions The incidence of tuberculosis varies in different areas of Ankang City, and males, farmers, students and the elderly are all factors of high incidence of tuberculosis. Therefore, different prevention and control strategies should be adopted according to the characteristics of population in different areas. The number of cases in Ankang City in 2023 showed an overall downward trend, which can provide a reference for the prevention and control of PTB.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

AIMTo identify specifically expressed genes in the adult and fetal testes.

METHODSA human testis cDNA microarray was established. Then the mRNA of adult and fetal testis was purified and probes were prepared by a reverse transcription reaction with the testis mRNA as template. The microarray was hybridized with probes of adult and fetal testes. The nucleic sequences of differentially expressed genes were determined and homologies were searched in the databases of the GenBank.

RESULTSWhen hybridized with adult or fetal testis probes, the positive clones were 96.8 % and 95.4 %, respectively. Among these genes, one was a new testis-specific gene, which was named TSP1. TSP1 was highly expressed in human adult testis. The cDNA of TSP1 was 1,484 bp in length. The cDNA sequence of this clone was deposited in the Genbank (AF333098). TSP1 was also determined as Interim Gen Symbol (Unigene, No. Hs.98266). Protein analysis showed that TSP1 contained two functional domains: an N-terminal basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and a C-terminal leucine zipper (Zip). Homologous analysis showed that the 430 amino acid sequences deduced from the 1293 bp open reading frame (ORF) had a homology with the human gene FLJ2509 (AK098575). TSP1 had also a sequence homology with Spz 1 protein of mouse. Expression profiles showed that TSP1 was specifically and strongly expressed in the testis.

CONCLUSIONTSP1 is a gene highly expressed in adult testis. It may play an important role in spermatogenesis in the humans.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Testis ; embryology ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Aggregation and accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) in brain tissues contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the promotion of Abeta clearance is one of the key targets for preventing and treatment Alzheimer's disease. Studies proved that some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds and extracts could impact the activity of degrading enzyme in amyloid peptide, the transport of hemato encephalic barrier and the phagocytosis of microglial cells, promote Abeta clearance, and improve learning and memory of animal models with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we made an summary for the relations between Abeta and Alzheimer's disease, the Abeta clearance mechanism and the clearance effect of traditional Chinese medicines.
Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Microglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Protein Multimerization ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tpo and/or IL-11 gene modified stromal cells on the expansion of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in cord blood.

METHODSRetroviral vectors containing Tpo or IL-11 gene were constructed and used to transfect the stromal cell line HFCL. Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA was assayed by Northern blot. Non-modified stromal cells were used, CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood were expanded on gene-modified stromal cells for 7 days. The phenotype of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSHFCL expressed Tpo and/or IL-11 mRNA after transfected by the retroviral vectors. The percentages of CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) primitive progenitors in the cultures of Tpo, IL-11 and Tpo + IL-11 modified HFCL were (1.8 +/- 0.24)%, (1.62 +/- 0.23)%, and (2.45 +/- 0.28)%, respectively, which were higher than that in the control [(0.8 +/- 0.23)%].

CONCLUSIONThe stromal cells modified by Tpo and/or IL-11 gene were able to enhance ex vivo expansion of CD(34)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(38)(-) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; analysis ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-11 ; genetics ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Thrombopoietin ; genetics

AIMTo establish a simple method for molecular identification of original plants of D. chrysanthum and D. fimbriatum using molecular marker rDNA ITS region.

METHODSRestriction patterns of ITS fragments were obtained using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR products of D. chrysanthum and its morphologically allied species were digested at 37 degrees C by Cla I and Apa LI, those of D. fimbriatum and its morphologically allied species were digested by Sph I.

RESULTSD. chrysanthum, D. fimbriatum and their morphologically allied species could be identified by predicted restriction profiles of PCR-RFLP. The botanical origin of twenty-five fresh samples of "Shihu" collected in markets was identified by this method.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region is a feasible, simple and inexpensive method for determining the botanical origin of the traditional Chinese medicine "Shihu".

DNA, Plant ; analysis ; DNA, Ribosomal ; analysis ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

AIMTo identify "Shegan" [Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.] and relative medicinal plants of Iris including Iris tectorum Maxim., I. dichotoma Pall., I. germanica L. and I. japonica Thunb. by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase Large Gene (rbcL) sequence analysis.

METHODSGeneral DNA was isolated from the fresh leaves of Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. by CTAB. A pair of primers was designed to amplify the rbcL gene and PCR Preps DNA kit was used to purify the PCR products. The rbcL sequences were determined by ABI (Applied Biosystems Inco.) Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer.

RESULTSA fragment of about 750 bp of rbcL gene from Belamcanda chinensis and 4 Iris spp. were amplified and sequenced. The rbcL sequences of Iris tectorum, I. dichotoma Pall. and I. japonica were reported for the first time. The rbcL sequences of 5 species of Iridaceae were aligned and analyzed using Clustal (Version 8.0) and MEGA (Version 2.0.) programs. The nucleotide number of difference is from 1.000 to 20.000. The tranversions is from 0.000 to 9.000 and the transitions is from 0.000 to 14.000. Phylogenetic tree based on rbcL partial sequence data indicated that the eleven samples of 5 species clustered separately.

CONCLUSIONThe sequence variation of rbcL can be used to identify Belamcanda chinensis and 4 species of relative medicinal plants of Iris. The molecular phylogenetic tree accords with the classical taxonomy.

Base Sequence ; Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; analysis ; Genes, Plant ; Iridaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Iris Plant ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo define molecular characters to distinguish D. chrysanthum from its allied species D. primulinum, D. lituiflorum, D. aphyllum, D. crepidatum.

METHODThe molecular characteristics of D. chrysanthum and its allied species were compared. The sequences of rDNA ITS regions were exploited to explore the evidence for authentication D. chrysanthum and its allied species.

RESULTAlthough the morphological difference was slight, the sequence difference of ITS regions among five rDNAs was obvious and stable. Fifteen sites of ITS region were defined as DNA character to identify D. chrysanthum from the other four allied species.

CONCLUSIONThe difference of rDNA ITS sequences can be used to authenticate accurately D. chrysanthum from three allied species of Dendrobium.

Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study rDNA ITS sequence differences between F type and that of H type of Dendrobium officinale in main habitat of China.

METHODThe population differences of the rDNA ITS region (including ITS1, ITS2, 5.8S) sequences of D. officinale were studied by the method of DNA sequences analysis.

RESULTThere were two different sites between the rDNA ITS sequence of F type and that of H type. One was in ITS1 region, and the other was in 5.8S region. It was proved that there was some relativity between the character of rDNA ITS region and the life type of the populations. The phenomenon of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) existed in 5.8S region of rDNA ITS region between F type and H type. The sequences of rDNA ITS region of D. officinale were reported for the first time, and the sequences of ITS region ranged 634 bp (ITS1 231 bp, ITS2 240 bp, 5.8S 163 bp).

CONCLUSIONThe analysis of rDNA ITS of D. officinale deeply reveal the population differences of D. officinale of F type and H type.

Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

RT-PCR was conducted with one degenerate primer designed according to repetitive regions' amino acid sequence of major ampullate spidroin (MaSp) in spiders and adaptor primer in the SMART cDNA Library Construction Kit. By cloning and sequencing of amplified products, one cDNA clone (GenBank Accession No. AY365017) of Argiope amoena MaSp gene was obtained. The deduced amino acid sequence can be distinctly divided into two regions: (1) Repetitive region that consists of an alternating alanine-rich and glycine-rich domain in which many prolines are present; and (2) C-terminal non-repetitive region. The region coding for 272 amino acids of MaSp gene was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28b(+) and an about 26kD recombinant protein was expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) after induction of IPTG. After being purified with metal-affinity chromatography on Ni(2+) -IDA-Sepharose columns as well as gel filtration chromatography, the recombinant protein was confirmed to be predicted MaSp by means of amino acid composition analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The solubility behavior of recombinant MaSp with C-terminal non-repetitive region in the present study is similar to that of recombinant dragline silk proteins without C-terminal non-repetitive region expressed by bacteria and yeast in the other studies. The result shows that absence or presence of C-terminal non-repetitive region is not a crucial factor affecting the solubility of the recombinant MaSp.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Fibroins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Spiders ; genetics ; metabolism