In this study, five rhesus macaques were inoculated intravenously with SIVmac251 to establish a model of simian autoimmune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS). Peripheral blood samples were collected at different time points to monitor changes in the total T cell number and T lymphocyte subset. Plasma viral loads, cytokine expression levels and anti-SIV antibody levels were also assayed to acquire certain basic indexes to evaluate disease progression in the rhesus macaque SAIDS model. During the acute stage of infection, plasma viral loads reached a peak at week 1 post-inoculation and lasted for approximately 3 to 44 weeks. The CD3+ CD4+ T lymphocyte count in peripheral blood also transitorily decreased. During the same period, the level of interferon-gamma show an increasing trend, whereas IL-12 levels decreased; IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were maintained at normal levels or could not be detected. During the asymptomatic and ARC phases, plasma viral loads persisted above 10(4) RNA copies/mL and either increased or declined during the later stages of disease; CD3+ CD4+ counts showed a steadily declining trend and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 decreased during late-stage disease. Moreover, antibodies against viral proteins were detected in the plasma and showed a significant increasing trend, while there were no apparently changes in the levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha. In conclusion, the characteristics of the SIV animal models in our study are similar to those of patients with AIDS. Therefore, the rhesus macaque SIVmac251 infection models can be applied for further studies into AIDS.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ; physiology ; Viral Load

Objective To analyse incidence of the severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy and the influence on the outcome of pregnancy.Methods A retrospective study of 4107 cases among 71 020 cases who delivered in hospitals from 1995 to 2004 in Guangzhou was conducted. Results The morbidity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy was 5.78%,in which the morbidity of severe pre-eclampsia was 27.78% (1141/4107),of mitis pre-eclampsia was 72.22% (2966/4107). Maternal mortality rate was 0.19% (8/4107),and the specific mortality rate was 11.26/100 000.The proportion of severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy from high to low was as follows:placental abruption 1.68% (69/4107),DIC 1.36% (56/4107),hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy induced cardiopathy(induced cardiopathy) 1.05% (43/4107),renal failure 0.97% (40/4107),cerebrovascular accident 0.58% (24/4107),and hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome 0.51% (21/4107).Mortality caused by severe complications of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy were as follows:cerebrovascular accident 17% (4/24),HELLP syndrome 10% (2/21),DIC 5% (3/56) and induced cardiopathy 2% (1/43).The proportion of perinatal mortality from severe complications were as follows:placental abruption 43% (33/77),HELLP syndrome 42% (10/ 24),DIC 34% (22/64),renal failure 25% (11/44),cerebro vascular accident 24% (6/25)and induced cardiopathy 16% (8/49).Conclusions (1) The morbidity of severe complications from high to low are: placental abruption,DIC,induced eardiopathy,renal failure,eerebro vascular accident and HELLP syndrome.(2) The main causes of mortality for gravida and puerperant are:cerebro vascular accident, HELLP syndrome,DIC and induced cardiopathy.(3) The major complications harmful to perinatal newborns are in the order of:placental abruption,HELLP syndrome,DIC,renal failure,eerebro vascular accident and induced cardiopathy.

To remedy the limitations of traditional numerical classification softwares,a new application,X-Cluster,was developed by using various design patterns.X-Cluster had powerful functions to support the researching of numerical classification,and testified by some classify studying about Bacillus spp..

Three SNaPshot multiplex assays were developed to test 23 coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one control region SNP outside hypervariable regions (HVR)I and II, which was aimed at increasing the discrimination power of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing in forensic casework, and confirming haplogroup assignments of mtDNA profiles in both human population studies and medical research. The selected SNPs targeted the East Asian phylogeny. These multiplex assays were validated by comparing with the sequencing analysis of samples chosen randomly. The mtDNA variations of 100 unrelated individuals from the Wuhan population in China were examined and classified into 31 haplotypes, and the haplotype diversity was estimated to be 0.952. The multiplex SNaPshot method is rapid and robust, and suitable for large-scale screening studies of mtDNA variability.

The pediatrician training system includes four levels of construction mode:the pediatric professional training for general practitioner, general pediatric professional training, pediatric skills training of community in-service physicians and pediatric continuing education for general pedestrians by Pediatric Professional Committee. Standardized and homogeneous training will help to improve children's health service system and change the current shortage of pediatric clinicians at the primary level.

In the present study, the antibacterial spectrum of turmeric extract was analyzed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the antibacterial mechanism of turmeric extract was elaborated by determining its effects on the permeability and integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane, energy metabolism, and the morphology of the tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) with the highest susceptibility to the extract. The results showed that turmeric extract possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, especially against Bacillus subtilis, with the MIC of 0.5 mg·mL^-1. Turmeric extract disrupted the liposome membrane and released calcein encapsulated within it. The permeability of the bacterial cell membrane was increased, leading to leakage of intracellular K⁺, Ca²⁺and cell wall proteins, and the integrity of the cell membrane was broken down, causing leakage of intracellular proteins and polysaccharides. Scanning electron microscope observation confirmed that the bacteria treated with turmeric extract was severely deformed. Simultaneously, cellular energy metabolism was affected, resulting in a significant reduction in the intracellular ATP content and ATPase activity in bacteria. In summary, the antibacterial mode of turmeric extract is closely related to its disruption of bacterial membrane structure.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of the epididymal size 1 year after vasectomy.

METHODSFifty male volunteers received vasoligation. Before and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, we measured the size and detected the internal echoes of the epididymis using color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTSThe bilateral epididymides were both thickened post-operatively in all the 50 cases, with statistically significant differences between the baseline and the 1st month, the 1st and the 2nd month, the 2nd and the 3rd month, or the 3rd and the 6th month after surgery (all P < 0.01), but not between the 6th and the 12th month (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWithin 6 months after vasectomy, the bilateral epididymides manifested a progressive thickening, but basically restored their balance of secretion-absorption after 6 months.

Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Postoperative Period ; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Vasectomy

OBJECTIVETo understand the various factors causing vertigo and balance disorders in the elderly.

METHODS118 elderly patients (aged equal or older than 60 years of age) with vertigo or balance disorders were retrospectively analyzed through clinical symptoms, audio-vestibular function tests, X-ray, CT scan or MRI in cervical vertebras, brain and inner ears, ultrasonography, transcranial doppler (TCD) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in blood vessels on head and neck.

RESULTSOf 118 patients, 70 (23%) of them suffered perip heral vestibular disorders while 29 (58%) having cerebral vertigo or dizzness, leaving 19 cases (16%) as unclassified.

CONCLUSIONFor elderly patients, vertigo and balance disorders were commonly caused by many kinds of peripheral and cerebral vestibular pathological disfunctions while the functional weakness of vestibular organs and systems affected by the physiological process of ageing and different concommitant diseases as well as environmental, psychogenic factors should also be considered.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postural Balance ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vertigo ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To observe whether the expression of interferon-regulatory factor genes are re- lated to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The clinical data of 45 SLE patients and 37 normal controls were collected.Total RNA of peripheral blood was extracted and transcripted into cDNA.Sybr green dye based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to compare the expression (indicated as-??Ct value) of IRFI,IRF4,IRF8 in patients with SLE and those in the controls.Results The levels of IRF1,IRF4 and IRF8 mRNA were-3.90?0.19,-8.04?0.25 and 3.60?0.15 respectively in normal controls.In SLE patients, IRF4 mRNA expression was -8.82?0.18,higher than that in normal (P=0.011).But IRF8 mRNA expression was 3.09?0.13,lower than that in normal (P=0.012).Conclusion Abnormal IRF mRNA expression is found in the peripheral blood of SLE patients.IRFs may play roles in the pathogenesis of SLE by affecting the differen- tiation of Th cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe the three-dimensional distribution of vessels, and to establish a new method for measurement of blood flow velocity in mice cerebral cortex using two-photon laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence probe labeling technique.

METHODSThe mouse was made cranial window surgery and injected Texas-Red through tail vein after anesthetized. The three-dimensional imaging of vessel was obtained through z-stack scanning, and blood flow velocity was quantified through line scanning.

RESULTSWe could detect vascular distribution for more than 500 µm depth using two-photon microscopy. The velocity of blood flow was (0.59 ± 0.12) mm/s in capillary.

CONCLUSIONThe method for observing the brain blood flow by two-photon microscopy was established, which could achieve quantification of single vascular blood flow velocity and provide experimental evidence for basic research and medical applications.

Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brain ; blood supply ; Capillaries ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Hemodynamics ; Mice ; Microscopy, Fluorescence