BACKGROUND: Diseases and maternal poor habits before conception and during pregnancy have been considered as the definite risk factors for premature delivery and one of the results with better repeatability in the studies on the pathogenesis, whether parental socioeconomic status is related to the occurrence of premature birth?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of parental socioeconomic status with premature birth.DESIGN: A case-control study with the parents who has premature infants or normal infants as subjects.SETTING: Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University;Woman's Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Haici Medicine Group; Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Qingdao Municipal Eighth People's Hospital PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of premature infants (n=227) were recruited from Qingdao Municipal Maternity and Children Health Institute and the Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, premature birth were confirmed according to the diagnostic standards; the control infants (n=750) were also recruited from the same place, they were delivered at pregnancy of from 38 to 42 weeks with birth mass of 3 000-4 000 g. Two groups were matched in sexual constitution and the birthday of within the same week.METHODS: Parents of two groups were asked to fill the self-made questionnaire. Maternal obstetric factors were referring to the perinatal booklet and infant birth record; meanwhile parental socio-economic status, daily-life behaviours and sociodemographic character were also investigated. Multivariate non-conditioned logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of correlative factors.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parental school education, occupation, the annual family income, as well as bad living and behavioral habits.RESULTS: According to the real state, data of 227 premature infants and 750 normal control infants were analyzed finally. Maternal delivery age of ＞ 35 years old (≤ 25 years old in normal control group), working as a teacher or unemployment (worker in control group), smoking and drinking during pregnancy, father's occupation as peasant (worker in control group), with a long smoking history, lower parental education (not lower than junior college education in control group) and family income less than 35 thousand Yuan (more than 35 thousand Yuan in control group) were proved to be the significant risk factors for premature birth (OR =1.629-15.701).CONCLUSION: Maternal employment as a teacher with father as a peasant, together with lower family income and lower parental education are connected with premature delivery.

ObjectiveTo determine whether aadA2 gene can be translated from the ATG triplet,which there was no plausible ribosome binding site preceding it,and synthetized a functional protein in class 1 integron.MethodsSite-specific mutagenesis was used to construct aadA2 gene cassette with different start codons,together with their upstreamed promoters of variable regions were cloned into plasmid pACYC184 respective.The constructed plasmids were then transfored into Escherichia coli JM109,Western blot was used to detect the translation products of aadA2 gene with different start codons.Broth microdilution method was used to detect the minimal inhibitory concentrations to streptomycin in Escherichia coli JM109 containing aadA2 gene with different start codons.ResultsaadA2 gene can initiate translation from both ATG and GTG triplets in aminoacyl -3-adenylyltransferase protein synthesis,though there was no plausible ribosome binding site preceding the ATG triplet.Besides GTG and ATG triplets,there was other start codon downstream of the GTG triplet in aadA2 gene.The translated products that initiated from the start codons that described above were all functional AAD(3) proteins that can be detected by anti- aminoacyl -3-adenylyltransferase polyclonal antisera in Western blot and conferred different resistance levels to streptomycin in E.coli.ConclusionWhen inserted as the first gene cassette in class 1 integron,aadA2 gene can initiate translation from ATG triplet and synthetized a functional protein,though there was no plausible ribosome binding site preceding it.This structural characterization of class 1 integron can initiate translation of the open reading frame harbored in gene cassette that integrated into class 1 integron,though there was no plausible RBS preceding the start codon.This make class 1 integron be more convenience to express the genes that capture from environment.

ObjectiveTo prepare antiserum specific to aminoacy1-3″-adenylyltransferase [ AAD (3″) ],and to explore the application value of the prepared antiserum in detecting the expression levels of aadA2 gene that downstream of 8 different promoters (PcS,PcH2,PcH1,PcW,PcS-P2,PcH2-P2,PcH1P2 and PcW-P2 ) of variable regions in class 1 integron.MethodsaadA2 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and cloned into the expression plasmid pET19b.After inducing,the recombined aminoacy1-3″-adenylyltransferase[ AAD(3″)] with His-tag was expressed,purified and immunized rabbits to get anti- AAD(3″) specific serum.The prepared antiserum was used to detect the translation levels of aadA2 gene that downstream of different promoters of variable regions in class 1 integron by Western blotting (WB).Broth microdilution method was used to detect the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to streptomycin in Escherichia coli JM109 with aadA2 gene downstream of different promoters of variable regions.ResultsRecombined AAD (3″) expression plasmid pET19b-aadA2 was constructed successfully and was verified by sequence analysis.After transformed into E.coli BL21 ( DE3 ),a resoluble recombined AAD(3″) high expression strain was obtained.After fermentation,recombined AAD(3″) was purified and immunized rabbits.The anti- AAD(3″) specific serum was obtained with titer ＞ 1∶100 000.WB was used to detect the expression levels of AAD (3″),the translation product of aadA2 gene,that downstream of 8 different promoters of variable regions.The relative expression level of AAD (3″) that downstream of PcW was assumed to be 1,then the relative expression levels of AAD(3″),which all were detected 3 times independently,that downstream of PcS,PcH2,PcH1,PcS-P2,PcH2-P2,PcH1-P2 and PcW-P2 were 12.9±2.3,9.1±1.0,2.0±0.4,16.0±1.3,14.1 ±1.3,10.5±0.7 and 8.9 ±1.7 respective.Very different expression levels of AAD (3″) that downstream of different promoters of variable regions were obtained( F =32.421,P ＜ 0.01 ).The mean values of MIC,which all were detected 3 times independently,to streptomycin in E.coli JM109 with aadA2 gene downstream of PcS,PcH2,PcH1,PcW,PcS-P2,PcH2P2,PcH1-P2 and PcW-P2 were 256,256,64,128,32,128,4 and 64 mg/L respective.These results indicated the different expression levels of aadA2 gene that downstream of different promoters of variable regions can confer their host bacteria different resistance levels to streptomycin.Conclusions Resoluble recombined AAD(3″) is purified successfully and high titer anti- AAD(3″) specific antiserum is obtained from the immunized rabbits.This laid foundation for further investigation on the correlationship between the expressions of intI1 gene and the gene cassettes within variable regions.The expression levels of antibiotic gene cassettes that downstream of different promoters of variable regions are very different,so are the very different antibiotic resistance levels of the host bacteria.Therefore more attentions should be paid to the researches on the classification of promoters of variable regions when molecular epidemiology studies on the class 1 integrons in clinical isolates were conducted.

AIM: To evaluate the influences of triptolide on serum cytokines, symptoms and pulmonary function in patients with steroid - resistant asthma, so as to investigate if there is therapeutic effect of triptolide on these patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients with steroid - resistant asthma were randomly divided into two groups (A and B, n =8 for each group). All of the patients took procaterol (50 - 100 μg/d) and theophylline (400 mg/d) orally as baseline treatment. Additionally, triptolide was prescribed for group A (33 μg, orally, three times per day for 4 weeks). Asthmatic symptom score calculation, serum cytokines ( interferon - γ, IFN - γ; interleukin - 4, IL - 4; and interleukin - 5, IL - 5)determination and pulmonary function test (FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25% ) were undertaken before and at the end of the study. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant difference was found between group A and group B with respect to the above mentioned indices. Following the administration of triptolide, group A had significantly increased serum IFN -γlevel, FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25%, and significantly decreased asthmatic symptom score and serum IL-4, IL-5 levels (P＜0.01 compared with baseline in the same group, and P＜0.05 compared with group B at the end of the study). Compared with baseline, no significant change was observed for group B regarding all the indices at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Triptolide in combination with procaterol and theophylline may be a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of steroid - resistant asthma.

Objective To investigate the features of resting energy expenditure (REE) in patients with well controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Totally 45 T2DM patients with stable blood glucose were enrolled. The general conditions, biochemical indicators, measurements of REE ( MREE), and basal energy expenditure (BEE) calculated with Harris-Benedict formula (HBEE) and Owen formula (OBEE) were recorded and compared. Results MREE had no significant difference with HBEE or OBEE in T2DM patients with stable blood glucose (P ＞ 0. 05). Correlation analysis showed that REE was significantly correlated with gender, age, body weight, body height, body surface area, and fat-free mass ( all P ＜ 0.05 ), but was not correlated with body mass index, fat mass, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, haemoglobin Alc, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, and haemoglobin (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Multiple regression analysis showed that fat free mass and age had the closest correlation with REE. Conclusions REE does not increase in T2DM patients with well controlled blood glucose. Factors that influence their REE are similar with healthy individuals. Determi nation of REE can provide useful information for the nutrition treatment of T2DM.

AIM: To investigate the effect of nucleolin on diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice.METHODS: A type II diabetic cardiomyopathy mouse model was prepared using a cardiac-specific nucleolin-overexpressing transgenic mice.The mice were divided into wild-type mouse control group, nucleolin transgenic mouse control group, wild-type mouse diabetes group and nucleolin transgenic mouse diabetes group.Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) fluorescent dye, Masson staining and PowerLab system detection were used to further clarify the role of nucleolin on cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and cardiac function in type II diabetic cardiomyopathy mice.RESULTS: Compared with wild-type mouse control group, no significant increase in blood glucose level was found, while genetical myocardial cell hypertrophy was significantly attenuated in nucleolin transgenic mouse diabetes group.The collagen fibers were also significantly reduced, and hemodynamic indexes ± dp/dtmax, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate were also improved.The above differences were statistically significant.CONCLUSION: Nucleolin may reduce the occurrence of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, thus improving the cardiac function of diabetic cardiomyopathy mice.

A simple,rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed for the determination of salidroside in rat plasma and study of its pharmacokinetics after oral administration of suspension of Erzhi Wan and Fructus Ligustri lucidi into Wistar rats.Plasma sample of 200 μL was extracted with acetic etherisopropanol (2:1) and the extraction was performed on a Kromasil C18 column (150 mm×4.6mm,5 μm) with the mobile phase of methanol-water (41:59,v/v) within a run time of 6.0min.The analyte was monitored with positive electrospray ionization (ESI) by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode.The target ions were m/z 323.05 for salidroside and m/z 411.05 for internal standard (IS) geniposide.A good linear relationship was obtained over the range of 5.0-500.0 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 5.0 ng/mL.The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of salidroside in rat plasma after oral administration of suspension of Erzhi Wan and Fructus Ligustri lucidi.

Objecfive To investigate the association between the exon 2,3,4 of MHC class Ⅰ chain-related gene-B(MICB)and ulcerative colitis(UC)in Chinese Han.Methods Using polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism,allele frequency of MICB exon 2,3 and 4 in 105 patients with UC and 213 age and sex matched healthy controls were genotyped.All of the studied individuals were Chinese Han.Results Allele frequency of MICB 0106 was increased in patients with UC as compared with normal controls(19.0%vs 8.9%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=2.402,95%CI:1.488-3.879).The frequency of MICB 0106 was increased significantly in patients with extensive colitis (24.4%vs 8.9%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=3.294,95%CI:1.800-6.027),moderate and severe disease(24.1%vs 8.9%,P=0.000.Pc＜0.001,OR=3.294 95%CI:1.893-5.576)and in those with extra intestinal manifestations(20.5%vs 8.9%,P=0.002,Pc=0.012,OR=2.626,95%CI:1.418-4.861).Furthermore,MICB 0106 allele was higher in frequency in the male patients with UC (22.1%vs 8.0%,P=0.001,Pc=0.006,OR=3.276,95%CI:1.737-6.178)and the patients more than 40 years old(28.8%vs 8.3%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=4.500,95%CI:2.381-8.504)as compared with healthy controls.Conclusion MICB 0106 allele is positively associated with UC,especially with extensive colitis,moderate and severe disease,presence of extra intestinal manifestations,male gender and age of more than 40 years in Chinese Han in Hubei province.

Objective To assess left ventricular (LV) global systolic function in patients with essential hypertension with normal geometric LV by 3-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI). Methods Fifty patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in this study, 29 normal subjects matched with age and sex were selected as control groups. LV global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), radial peak systolic strain (GRS), circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), LV global 3-dimentional radial peak systolic strain (3DGRS) were measured in all subjects by 3D-STI from the apical full-volume image and compared between groups. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was acquired from 3D-STI.Results Compared with controls, LV GLS, GRS, GCS and 3DGRS were significantly reduced in patients with hypertension ( P ＜ 0.05 for all). A Pearson correlate revealed that LV GCS, GLS and GRS corresponded with LVEF( r1 =0.930, P1 ＜0.001; r2 = 0.705, P2 ＜0.001; r3 =0.474, P3 =0.001,respectively) in patients with hypertension, and LV GCS, GLS correlated with LVEF( r1 = 0. 838, P1 ＜0. 001; r2 = 0. 697, P2 ＜ 0. 001, respectively) in normal subjects. Conclusions LV global 3D strain decreases in patients with hypertension in the early period,3D-STI could evaluate the early change of heart function in patients with hypertension. LV circumferential movement plays a major role in the LV 3D movement and impacts on LVEF.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of VRE in Huashan hospital of Shanghai from 2007 to 2009, and to examine the molecular characteristics of the VRE isolates.Methods A total of 890 non-repetive clinical isolates of Enterococcus were screened by the agar screening method ( ADSP method).Broth dilution susceptibility test was performed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus isolates to vancomycin and teicoplanin.The resistant genes and virulent genes of VRE isolates were investigated by PCR and sequencing methods.VRE isolates were classified by MLST and six isolates of VRE from 2007 to 2008 were analyzed by PFGE.Results Thirteen VRE isolates were identified by ADSP method and broth dilution susceptibility test. Six of them were resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin ( vancomycin MICs were from 64 to 256 μg/ml).The sequencing data of PCR products indicated these isolates might harbor a potential novel vancomycin resistant gene, which was different from the one reported in previous studies. The rest 7 isolates harbored vanA gene. The MICs of these isolates to vancomycin and teicoplanin were 32 - 64 μg/ml and 16 - 32 μg/ml, respectively.MLST results revealed 4 STs were identified in 13 VRE isolates.Eleven isolates belonged to clonal complexes(CC) 17.The positive rates of esp gene and hyl gene were 69.2% and 30.8%, respectively.Conclusions This study suggests that the most common VRE clone in Huashan Hospital was CC17.A potentially novel vancomycin resistance gene was identified, and further work needs to be done to investgate the function and the location of this novel gene.