The SRY gene from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) genome was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) with primers based on the sequence of Hostein SRY gene. The amplified fragment was 2005 bp include 5UTR ( 1 - 504bp) and 3'UTR(1196 - 2005bp). And the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the coding region of SRY gene (505 - 1195bp) from buffalo was highly homologous with those of other bovine counterpart genes (96% homology) , especially in the HMG box region (99%homology). It was found that there were only signal on male buffalo genome on Southern blot,which indicate SRY gene are highly conservative on evolves.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; therapy

Objective To investigate the relations between saliva arsenic levels and serum arsenic and urinary arsenic of rats after exposed to different levels of sodium arsenite.Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(8 rats in each group),namely the control group,the low,the medium,and the high doses of sodium arsenite exposure groups.Rats of the control group were given 0.9％ NaCI by gavage,and other three groups were given sodium arsenite of 0.2,2.0,20.0 mg/kg body weight by gavage.All animals were administrated every other day for two weeks,then saliva,blood,urine and tissue organs were collected,organ coefficients were calculated,total arsenic concentrations in blood and urine were detected by Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry(AFS-230) and total arsenic concentration in saliva was detected by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer(ICP-MS).Results The weight gain values of rats exposed to sodium arsenite were lower than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant between the highest dose group[(76.13 ± 17.19)g]and the control group[(103.00 ± 12.31)g,P ＜ 0.05].The liver and kidney organ coefficients in the highest dose group [(3.92 ± 0.54)％,(0.96 ± 0.15)％]were significantly higher than that in the control group[(3.27 ± 0.35)％,(0.76 ± 0.05)％,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01].The total arsenic concentrations in saliva[(0.044 ± 0.019),(0.211 ± 0.071),(1.128 ± 0.380)mg/L],blood[(11.832 ± 1.887),(45.032 ± 7.216),(121.839 ± 17.323)mg/L]and urine[(0.138 ± 0.085),(0.874 ± 0.328),(8.843 ± 1.754)mg/L]in the three treatment groups were significantly higher compared with that of the control group [(0.018 ± 0.014),(2.267 ± 0.370),(0.025 ± 0.011)mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05],furthermore,there was a significant difference among the three treatment groups (all P ＜ 0.05).The arsenic contents in saliva were significantly correlated with blood arsenic and urinary arsenic,the correlation coefficient was 0.934 and 0.960,respectively (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions High dose of arsenic exposure,with a strong toxicity to liver and kidney,can inhibit the increase of rat body weight.Arsenic dose-response relationship exists in the saliva,and saliva arsenic is significantly correlated with blood arsenic and urinary arsenic,suggesting that salivary arsenic can be used as a new biomarker for assessing human exposure to arsenic.

OBJECTIVETo explore efficacy of modified funnel method for transpedicular bone grafting in treating thoracolumbar vertebras fracture.

METHODSFrom May 2006 to November 2011, 35 patients (19 males and 16 females, ranged in age from 21 to 66 years with an average of 34.6 years) with thoracolumbar vertebras fracture were treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation, reduction and modified funnel method for transpedicular autogenous iliac bone grafting. Of the 35 cases, 9 cases were severe compression fracture and 26 cases were burst fracture. The anterior body height and Cobb's angle of injured vertebral were measured by X-ray; the effect of implantation bone and CT value were assessed by radiograph CT scan; Nerve function were evaluated according to Frankel's neurological function classification and back pain were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTSThirty-two patients were followed up from 18 to 37 months with an average of 19.7 months. No nerve injuries aggravated, and 11 patients with partial nerve injuires preoperatively were improved at least 1 level recovery postoperatively; Breakage or loosen of screws were not found. Vertebral bone grafting filled well, bone fusion were got after 6 months' treatment and without cavity gap in grafting bone area. The anterior vertebral height was improved respectively from preoperative (50.17 +/- 8.26)% to postoperative (90.79 +/- 4.85)%, and (90.34 +/- 4.03)% at the final follow-up. The Cobb's angle improved from preoperative (28.7 +/- 6.24) degrees to postoperative (7.26 +/- 3.79) degrees, with (7.34 +/- 4.05) degrees at the final follow-up. CT value of injured vertebras at the final follow-up were significantly higher than adjacent vertebras'. The average VAS was 1.06.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screw fixation, reduction and modified funnel method for transpedicular autogenous iliac bone grafting is a feasible and safe method for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebras fracture. It can effectively prevent bone loss of injured vertebral height, progressive deformity of kyphosis, and keep spinal movement function at the maximum.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Background:Accumulating studies on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) support the involvement of hemodynamic factors in artery stenosis.Based on a patient-specific CFD model,the present study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic characteristics of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) and its alteration after stent treatment.Methods:Computed tomography angiography (CTA) data of kidney transplant recipients in a single transplant center from April 2013 to November 2014 were reviewed.The three-dimensional geometry of transplant renal artery (TRA) was reconstructed from the qualified CTA images and categorized into three groups:the normal,stenotic,and stented groups.Hemodynamic parameters including pressure distribution,velocity,wall shear stress (WSS),and mass flow rate (MFR) were extracted.The data of hemodynamic parameters were expressed as median (interquartile range),and Mann-Whitney U-test was used for analysis.Results:Totally,6 normal,12 stenotic,and 6 stented TRAs were included in the analysis.TRAS presented nonuniform pressure distribution,adverse pressure gradient across stenosis throat,flow vortex,and a separation zone at downstream stenosis.Stenotic arteries had higher maximal velocity and maximal WSS (2.94 [2.14,3.30] vs.1.06 [0.89,1.15] m/s,256.5 [149.8,349.4] vs.41.7 [37.8,45.3] Pa at end diastole,P =0.001;3.25 [2.67,3.56] vs.1.65 [1.18,1.72] m/s,281.3 [184.3,3 64.7] vs.65.8 [61.2,71.9] Pa at peak systole,P =0.001) and lower minimal WSS and MFRs (0.07 [0.03,0.13] vs.0.52 [0.45,0.67] Pa,1.5 [1.0,3.0] vs.11.0 [8.0,11.3] g/s at end diastole,P =0.001;0.08 [0.03,0.19] vs.0.70 [0.60,0.81] Pa,2.0 [1.3,3.3] vs.16.5 [13.0,20.3] g/s at peak systole,P =0.001) as compared to normal arteries.Stent implantation ameliorated all the alterations of the above hemodynamic factors except low WSS.Conclusions:Hemodynamic factors were significantly changed in severe TRAS.Stent implantation can restore or ameliorate deleterious change of hemodynamic factors except low WSS at stent regions.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of Pingchuan Yiqi Granule in treating bronchial asthma of qi-deficiency cold syndrome type (BS-QDC).

METHODSWith the randomized, positive agent parallel controlled design adopted, the 80 subjects enrolled were assigned in the ratio of 3:1 to two groups, the 60 patients in the trial group were treated with PYG and the 20 in the control group treated with Ruyi Dingchuan Pill (RDP), with the therapeutic course consisting of 7 days for both groups. The clinical effects, effects on TCM syndrome and the changes of lung function after treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe effect of the treatment on asthma in the trial group: clinically controlled rate was 6.67%, markedly effective rate 51.67%, improved rate 33.33% and ineffective rate 8.33%; and the corresponding rates in the control group were 5.00%, 50.00%, 30.00%, and 15.00% respectively. Comparison between the two groups showed insignificant difference (P>0.05). The effect on TCM syndrome in the treated group: clinically controlled rate was 11.67%, markedly effective rate 58.33%, effective rate 21.67% and ineffective rate 8.33%; and those in the control group were 10.00%, 50.00%, 30.00% and 10.00% respectively, also showing insignificant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Lung function test showed that the change on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after treatment in the trial group was of statistical significance (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown in the change of peak expiratory flow (PEF, P>0.05); while the changes in the control group were just the opposite, showing insignificance in FEV1 (P>0.05) but significance in PEF (P<0.05). Comparison of the therapeutic effect on lung function between the two groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05). No adverse reaction was found in either group in the course of treatment.

CONCLUSIONPYG used to treat BS-QDC is effective and safe, it's effect is similar to that of RDP.

Adult ; Asthma ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Common Cold ; complications ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Qi ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have suggested that susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might be related to the length polymorphism of (GT)(n) repeat in the 5'-flanking region of heme oxygenase-1 (HOX-1) gene. However, there has been no research about the relationship between the polymorphism of HOX-1 gene and severity of COPD.

METHODSThe polymorphism of HOX-1 gene in 452 patients with COPD from Han population in Southwest China was analysed by fragment analysis. The frequencies of the HOX-1 genotype were compared with the stage of COPD of each patient.

RESULTSThe HOX-1 genotypes were classified into two groups: group I were individuals with class L allele (the number of GT = 32 repeats), and group II were those without class L allele (the number of GT < 32 repeats). The genotypic frequency of the HOX-1 group I was significantly higher than group II in the very severe COPD patients (36.8% vs 22.4%, P < 0.01, OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 - 3.1), while the genotypic frequency of the HOX-1 group II was lower in the mild COPD (16.0% vs 26.0%, P = 0.02, OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3 - 0.9). However, in moderate and severe stages COPD, there were similar genotypic frequencies between HOX-1 group I and group II.

CONCLUSIONSGenetic polymorphism in HOX-1 is associated with the severity of COPD in Southwest China. COPD patients with class L allele may be susceptible to develop very severe COPD. Conversely, the COPD patients without class L allele may be more easily stabilized on mild COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Genotype ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology

Liver cancer is one of the most common neoplastic diseases with high mortality in China. Currently, antimicrotubule drugs such as paclitaxel (PTX) and vincristine (VCR), are used as the common agents in the clinical chemotherapy for liver cancer. However, the responses of patients to these drugs vary markedly. Successful identification of intracellular factors influencing liver cancer's sensitivity to antimicrotubule drugs would be of great clinical importance. In this study, by engineering human hepatoma cell HepG2 to overexpress synuclein-gamma (SNCG), we investigated if SNCG is a molecular factor associated with the sensitivity to antimicrotubule drug treatment. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting assays showed SNCG was successfully overexpressed in HepG2/ SNCG cells compared with HepG2/Neo cells. The overexpressed SNCG altered the proliferation activity in HepG2 cells, which was 66% higher than that of HepG2/Neo cells through MTT method. The overexpressed SNCG also reduced sensitivity of HepG2 cells to antimicrotubule drugs: after PTX or VCR treatment, the proportion of HepG2/SNCG cells in G2/M arrest was significantly lower than that in HepG2/Neo cells. Correspondingly, HepG2/SNCG cells showed significantly lower mitotic index than HepG2/Neo cells. Meanwhile, HepG2/SNCG cells showed higher resistance to PTX and VCR than HepG2/Neo cells, with resistance index 21 and 15 respectively. Our studies suggested that the overexpression of SNCG could confer resistance to antimicrotubule drugs in hepatoma cells; and it indicated that SNCG may be as a potential response marker for antimicrotubule drugs in liver cancer chemotherapy.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Microtubules ; drug effects ; Mitosis ; drug effects ; Mitotic Index ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vincristine ; pharmacology ; gamma-Synuclein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the oxidative damage to lung tissue and peripherial blood in PM2.5-treated rats.

METHODSPM2.5 samples were collected using an auto-sampling instrument in summer and winter. Treated samples were endotracheally instilled into rats. Activity of reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as oxidative damage biomarkers of lung tissue and peripheral blood detected with the biochemical method. DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail were used as DNA damage biomarkers of lung tissue and peripheral blood detected with the biochemical method.

RESULTSThe activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of MDA in lung tissue significantly decreased after exposure to PM2.5 for 7-14 days. In peripheral blood, the concentration of MDA decreased, but the activity of GSH-Px increased 7 and 14 days after experiments. The two indicators had a dose-effect relation and similar changing tendency in lung tissue and peripheral blood. The DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail in lung tissue and peripheral blood significantly increased 7 and 14 days after exposure to PM2.5. The two indicators had a dose-effect relation and similar changing tendency in lung tissue and peripheral blood.

CONCLUSIONPM2.5 has a definite oxidative effect on lung tissue and peripheral blood. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of MDA are valuable biomarkers of oxidative lung tissue damage induced by PM2.5. The DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail are simple and valuable biomarkers of PM2.5-induced DNA damage in lung tissues and peripheral blood. The degree of DNA damage in peripheral blood can predict the degree of DNA damage in lung tissue.

Animals ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seasons