In this paper, three spoilage organisms were separated from five transmutative soy milks, and all the three spoilage bacteria could survive condition of both 1?105Pa,30min and 300mg/kg Nisin. Morpha character, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA gene sequences reveal that these three strains are Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus and Brevibacillus borstelensis respectively. GenBank accessions for these three strains are EF439666-EF439668。

In order to investigate the prevalence and track genetic and antigenic evolutions of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and their prevalence in Guangxi, China since 1985, gene amplification and sequencing and virus neutralization (VN) test on chicken embryo tracheal organ cultures were used in genotyping and serotyping of 28 IBV isolates during 2009-2011 in Guangxi. The results of N gene sequencing and comparison showed that the 28 isolates and reference strains were classified into three groups, and most isolates belonged to group Ill, while the isolates in 1985-2008 belonged to groups IV and II. The data of VN test indicated that the 28 isolates belonged to 6 serotypes; among them, 71. 4% belonged to serotypes 1, 2, and 3, and 11 (39.3%) shared the same serotype with the current vaccine strains. Given the data of our previous study, it is found that prevalent serotypes and their proportions varied in different areas of Guangxi and during different periods. These data lay a good foundation for developing an oil-emulsified inactivated polyvalent vaccine containing local dominant serotypes for the effective prevention and control of infectious bronchitis.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; veterinary ; virology ; Infectious bronchitis virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; epidemiology ; immunology ; virology

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

Background Studies showed plasma fibrinogen (FIB) is not only the independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease,but also associated with the prevalence and incidenc of hypertension.A gender difference was shown in the association of FIB with hypertension,while no epidemiological study has been reported in Chinese population.Objective To explore the association between plasma FIB concentration and ten-year accumulative risk of hypertension.Methods A prospective study of relationship between blood pressure and other traditional risk factors were carried out in a cohort of Chinese population of 2115 people aged 35-64 years old in 1992 and 2002. The association of plasma FIB concentration with ten-year accumulative risk of hypertension was analyzed.Results The ten-year accumulative incidence rate of hypertension was 34.8%,and incidence in males (39.3%) was signifi- cantly higher than that in females (31.5%) (P

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting common chromosome aneuploidies in interphase nuclei of amniotic fluid cells.

METHODSEighty two uncultured amniotic fluid samples and supernatants from 2 successfully and 5 unsuccessfully cultured amniotic fluid samples were analyzed with FISH. Results from standard cytogenetic analysis of 79 uncultured amniotic fluid samples and 2 successfully cultured amniotic fluid samples were compared with FISH results.

RESULTSAll of the 89 samples were succeeded analyzed with FISH. Positive findings included 3 cases with trisomy 21, 1 case with 47, XYY and 1 case with 69, XXX, which were consistent with results of karyotype analysis.

CONCLUSIONFISH is a rapid and accurate method for prenatal diagnosis, and can also provide a remedy to failed amniotic fluid cells culture.

Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' in D. farinae allergic asthma and/or rhinitis patients.

METHODSA 25-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered trail was conducted in 278 children (aged 4 - 18 yr) with mite-induced asthma and/or rhinitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' (n = 139) or placebo (n = 139) for 25 weeks and the dosage and administration strictly followed the manufacturer's instructions. At the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd week of the treatment, the patients were asked to accept follow-up visit, during the clinical trial all patients and parents were asked to keep a daily record of their asthma symptom scores, rescue medicine use, rhinitis symptom scores, morning and evening peak expiratory flow. Asthma symptom scores, reduction in use of rescue medicine, rhinitis symptom scores, lung function tests, skin sensitivity to mite, mite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG4, and quality of life and adverse effect were assessed during the study.

RESULT(1) Of the 278 children, 27 dropped out before the study completion. (2) After 25 weeks of treatment, the median variability of PEFR was -1.38 for SLIT group and -0.90 for the placebo (P < 0.05). (3) Besides, the mean variability of medicine score of asthma was -0.08 for SLIT group and 0.52 for the plcebo (P < 0.05). (4) The median variability of rhinitis symptom score was -1.96 for SLIT group and -1.03 for the placebo (P < 0.01). (5) The rescue medicine usage of SLIT reduced but did not show significant differences between SLIT and placebo. (6) After 25 weeks treatment, the increase of D. farinae specific IgE antibody of two groups were similar, while specific IgG4 increased significantly in SLIT compared to the patients in control one (P < 0.01); (7) No severe adverse events happened in the trial and the most-likely adverse events were mild asthma and local rash.

CONCLUSIONDermatophagoides Farinae Drops is safe and effective in treating allergic asthma and atopic rhinitis.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Asthma ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mites ; chemistry ; Rhinitis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)-TaqIB polymorphism and plasma concentration in general population and the association between the two.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was carried out in a general population of Beijing in 1999, using stratified-random sampling method. CETP-TaqIB polymorphism and plasma CETP concentration were determined in 719 individual aged 45 - 64 years.

RESULTS(1) Frequencies of B1B1, B1B2 and B2B2 genotypes were 0.356, 0.478 and 0.166, respectively. The frequency of allele B2 was 0.405. Distributions of genotypes and alleles were homogeneous in both sexes. (2) Plasma CETP concentration manifested as a normal distribution, with the mean of 2.03 micro g/ml. The value of female was 20.3%, higher than that of male (P < 0.001). There were no differences among age groups. (3) Plasma CETP concentrations of B1B1 and B1B2 were 19.6% and 13.4% higher than that of B2B2 homozygotes. (4) Stratified by lipid levels, smoking and alcohol consumption, only when tryglyceride exceeded 150 mg/dl, with no significant difference among three genotypes. The effect of lipids, smoking and alcohol consumption status was more significant in B1B2 heterozygotes.

CONCLUSIONCETP-TaqIB polymorphism was a determinant of plasma CETP concentration. However, the effect could be modified by other factors, such as lipids, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Carrier Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Glycoproteins ; blood ; genetics ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sampling Studies

BACKGROUNDLipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is mainly secreted by macrophages, serving as a specific marker of atherosclerotic plaque and exerting pro-atherogenic effects. It is known that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays an important role against atherosclerosis by inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors, however, the relationship between HDL and Lp-PLA2 remains elusive.

METHODSIn this study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and a platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase assay were performed to determine the Lp-PLA2 mRNA level, protein expression and activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages upon HDL treatment of different concentrations and durations. To investigate the underlying mechanism of HDL-induced Lp-PLA2 action, pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand, was introduced to human monocyte-derived macrophages and mRNA and protein levels of Lp-PLA2, as well as its activity, were determined.

RESULTSLp-PLA2 mRNA levels, protein expression and activity were significantly inhibited in response to HDL treatment in a dose and time dependent manner in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Pioglitazone treatment (1 - 10 ng/ml) upregulated the Lp-PLA2 mRNA level, protein expression and activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages, while the effects were markedly reversed by HDL. In addition, pioglitazone resulted in a significant increase in PPARγ phosphorylation in human monocyte-derived macrophages, which could be inhibited by HDL.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that HDL suppresses the expression and activity of Lp-PLA2 in human monocyte-derived macrophages, and the underlying mechanisms may be mediated through the PPARγ pathway.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a human ovarian cancer-bearing mouse model via orthotopic transplantation of human HO-8910 cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP).

METHODSGFP-expressing human ovarian carcinoma HO8910/GFP cells (2 x 10(6)) in exponential phase of growth were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice, and the generated tumor tissues were collected and transplanted below the capsule of the left ovary of 6 nude mice. The growth of the tumors was observed in vivo using a fluorescence stereomicroscope. The nude mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after transplantation to assess the tumor growth and metastasis.

RESULTSThe tumors showed progressive growth at the orthotopic sites in all animals. Two weeks after the transplantation, green fluorescent mass was observed at the left costovertebral angle, and the mass increased thereafter and invaded or metastasized to the peritoneum, omentum, spleen, liver, uterus, and the pelvic lymph nodes, with a metastatic rate as much as 66.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe nude mouse model bearing orthotopic human ovarian carcinoma expressing GFP has been successfully established.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of cognitive functions in patients with hypertension and normotensives, and to analyze the primary influencing factors on cognitive functions.

METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study carried out in two community populations of Beijing in 2001. The study subjects consisted of 83 hypertensive individuals aged 50-65 years, who were both stroke and dementia-free, the control group was chosen with 83 normotensives who were matched one by one with hypertensive individuals on age, sex, educational level and occupation. Socio-demographic, behavioral, medical history, and physiological data were collected on all participants through interview and medical examination. A comprehensive and computerized neuropsychological battery was administered.

RESULTSThe total score of Basic Cognitive Ability Examination on hypertension (63.62) was worse than that among controls (68.58) with P < 0.01. Mean reaction time of Digit Discrimination of hypertensive (1.25) was longer than controls (1.17) with P < 0.05. The span of Digit Working Memory of hypertensive (4.96) was shorter than controls (5.63) with P < 0.05. The Score of Dual-Word Recognition of hypertensive (12.05) was lower than controls (13.45) with P < 0.01. Educational level, age and hypertension were the primary influencing factors on cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONPatients with hypertension performed significantly worse than controls on velocity of perception, working memory and word memory. The findings suggested that the prevention of hypertension could protect cognitive function.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognition ; physiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests