Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sweat Glands

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

OBJECTIVETo constitute a model of B immunoblastic lymphomas in the Hu-PBL-SCID mice.

METHODSThe SCID mice were reconstituted by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 5 x 10(7) human lymphocytes from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seronegative individuals. After one week, the SCID mice were inoculated with EBV by i.p. injection, and subjected to the investigation of whether there was any tumor in the abdomen of such SCID mice four weeks later. The characteristics of the found tumor was observed by the methods of Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain, immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the control groups, all the EBV-infected Hu-PBL-SCID mice had abdominal solid tumors [(32 +/- 12.5) mm3] developed, often located in the liver. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed the tumors were human B cell lymphomas. EBV DNA could be detected in the tumors by the PCR.

CONCLUSIONSThe model of B immunoblastic lymphomas in the Hu-PBL-SCID mice is successfully constituted, and may well be useful to the human tumor immunological study.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; physiology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

OBJECTIVETo confirm whether human MHC class I chain-related A (MICA) induces the amplification of V delta 1 gamma delta tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in vitro and to identify the cytotoxicity of MICA-reactive V delta 1 gamma delta TILs towards epithelial tumor cells.

METHODSMICA protein was prokaryoticly expressed and purified by molecular cloning technology. The purified recombined MICA (rMICA) was used to induce V delta 1 gamma delta T cells from tumor tissues in vitro and the cytotoxicity of these V delta 1 gamma delta TILs were tested by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT).

RESULTSThe rMICA was expressed in prokaryocyte with pET30 as a vector. The immobilized rMICA protein could markedly induce the amplification of V delta 1 gamma delta T cells from tumor tissue in vitro. These V delta 1 gamma delta T cells showed strong cytolytic activities towards tumor cell lines expressing MICA.

CONCLUSIONThe MICA-reactive V delta 1 gamma delta T cell may be a candidate for adoptive cellular therapy of tumors.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; pathology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; immunology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

OBJECTIVETo select the optimal culture media for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.

METHODSThree different culture media (RPMI-1640, AIM-V, and OpTmizer, with or without autologous serum) were used to culture gamma delta T cells. The survival rate, purity, proliferation efficiency, and biological functions of the expanded gamma delta T cells were examined and compared.

RESULTSThe survival rate of gamma delta T cells expanded in RPMI-1640 decreased over culture time. The purities of gamma delta T cells cultured in AIM-V or OpTmizer with or without serum were higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640. After two weeks of culture in the absence of serum, the purity and proliferation efficiency of gamma delta T cells cultured in OpTmizer were significantly higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640 (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05). gamma delta T cells in different culture media had similar CD107a expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production (P > 0.05). However, cells expanded in RPMI-1640 exhibited significantly weaker cytotoxicity against Daudi lymphoma cells than those expanded in OpTmizer (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDue to low serum-dependence, high proliferation efficiency, and favorable biology function of expanded cells, OpTmizer is the most suitable medium for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of healthcare-associated infection(HAD,and provide evidence for prevention and control of HAI.Methods A cross-sectional survey was adopted,bedside survey and medical record reviewing method was combined to investigate and analyze the prevalence of HAI in a tertiary first-class hospital in 2012-2015.Results A total of 4 725 hospitalized patients were surveyed,the prevalence rates in 2012-2015 were 6.00％,4.77％,3.93％,and 3.05％ respectively,difference was significant(P＜0.05);antimicrobial usage rates were 30.56％,33.82％,32.84％,and 34.48％ respectively,difference was not significant (P＞0.05);the main infection site was lower respiratory tract (43.00 ％),followed by surgical site (16.43 ％);the risk factors for HAI were age ≥65 years,chronic systemic diseases(diabetes,cirrhosis,chronic renal failure,chronic lung disease),immunodeficiency(white blood cell＜1.5 × 109/L),coma,tracheotomy,and mechanical ventilation.Conclusion Survey on HAI prevalence can promote continuous improvement of HAI management,surveillance on surgical site infection and risk factors of HAI should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo study the single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with the high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism in Chinese population.

METHODSTwo hundred and nine normal Han ethnic subjects, aged 59+/-10 years, were recruited from 5 medical centers in western part of China. DNA was extracted by proteinase K digestion, phenol and chloroform extraction as well as isopropanol precipitation. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in conjunction with sequencing were employed to test the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCA1), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) genes.

RESULTSThe allelic frequencies of A and G of ABCA1 gene are 53.4% and 46.6%; of B2 and B1 allele of CETP, 41.0% and 59.0%; of HindIII (-) and (+) allele of LPL, 18.9% and 81.1%; and of PvuII(+) and (-) allele of LPL, 66.0% and 34.0%, respectively. All genotype frequencies fit well with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; the significant linkage disequilibrium exists between LPL HindIII(+)and PvuII(+) polymorphisms. All of the RFLP in these genes result from the single nucleic substitution in fragment recognized by corresponding restriction enzymes.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic polymorphisms of ABCA1, LPL-HindIII and LPL-PvuII in Chinese Han ethnic population are significantly different from Caucasians residing in USA or Europe.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; genetics ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

AIMTo study the influence of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity in erythrocyte membrane during intestinal I/R and their mechanism of action.

METHODSModels of rabbits intestinal I/R injury were made. The effect of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity and malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocyte membrane, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte, oxidase (XO) in plasma and MDA tissues homogenate were observed.

RESULTSThe administration of astragalus and zinc sulfate decreased viscosity and MDA and XO, prevented the reduction of SOD, and alleviated I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONLipid peroxidation injury of the erythrocyte membrane was one of the pathogenesis of I/R injury, and astragalus and the zinc sulfate possessed effects of anti-lipid peroxide, stabilized erythrocyte membrane, increased red blood cell deform ability and raised microcircular perfusion.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Blood Viscosity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; drug effects ; Female ; Intestines ; blood supply ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidoreductases ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEThe strains of Yersinia pestis isolated in different period and different natural foci in China were analyzed.

METHODSTraditional and molecular biological methods were used. Rhamnose fermentation, rRNA gene copy number, nitrite reduction, and the glycerol fermentation were important characters for typing, and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profile could reflect the genetic distance between the strains.

RESULTSThe strains could be divided into 15 genetic types by those 6 characters with each of them covered an isolated geographical territories.

CONCLUSIONThe characters of strains were described; the genetic relationship of different types, their evolution, and the forming and shift of plague natural foci were analyzed.

China ; Databases, Genetic ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Genetic Drift ; Geography ; Mutation ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Yersinia pestis ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUNDIron is a biocorrodible metal that might be used in bioabsorbable stents. This study investigated the effects at the cellular and protein levels of soluble divalent iron (ferrous gluconate) and soluble trivalent iron (ferric chloride) on the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) in vitro.

METHODSThe water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) test was used to evaluate the effect of iron on proliferation of HASMC and Western blotting was used to measure the levels of signaling proteins involved in proliferative and apoptosis pathways.

RESULTSHASMC proliferation was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner after treatment with soluble divalent and trivalent iron at concentrations of 100-500 µmol/L. Western blotting analysis showed that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression following treatment with soluble divalent iron and trivalent iron at 100, 300 and 500 µmol/L was reduced compared to the control. The PCNA expression decreased with increasing iron concentration and to a greater extent with the trivalent iron than with the divalent iron treatment group. The p53 expression was markedly increased in a concentration dependent manner in both iron treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONThe soluble divalent iron and, to a greater degree trivalent iron, inhibited HASMC proliferation in a dosedependent manner, which may be attributed to reduction of PCNA expression and increase of p53 expression.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Iron ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; chemistry ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis