There has been continued controversy on the taxonomy of Ascaris lumbricoides Linnaeus,1758 from humans and Ascaris suum Goeze,1782 from pigs.This article reviews a range of comparative studies related to host susceptibility,morphology,karyotype,immunology and biochemistry,as well as molecular genetics in recent years.

Objective To discuss clinical results of the percutaneous minimally invasive LC DCP plating in treatment of tibiofibular fractures which was based on biological osteosynthesis and indirect reduction. Methods 28 patients with tibiofibular fractures were treated with indirect reduction and LC DCP plating through the tunnel inside tibia. Results All the patients were followed up for 10 to 18 months (averaging 15 m). X ray films showed that the callus appeared 4 to 7 weeks postoperatively (averaging 4.6 w). The fracture healing time were 12 to 18 weeks (averaging 12.8w). All the patients healed without fracture nonunion, delayed union or plate loosening. Plates were removed without refracture in 15 patients. Conclusions The percutaneous minimally invasive LC DCP plating for tibiofibular fractures can meet the major requirements of biological osteosynthesis and result in good results.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of high-dosage gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on acute tetramine (TET) poisoning, 50 Kunming mice were divided into 5 groups at random and the antidotal effects of GABA or sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS) on poisoned mice in different groups were observed in order to compare the therapeutic effects of high-dosage GABA with those of Na-DMPS. Slices of brain tissue of the poisoned mice were made to examine pathological changes of cells. The survival analysis was employed. Our results showed that both high-dosage GABA and Na-DMPS could obviously prolong the survival time, delay onset of convulsion and muscular twitch, and ameliorate the symptoms after acute tetramine poisoning in the mice. Better effects could be achieved with earlier use of high dosage GABA or Na-DMPS. There was no significant difference in prolonging the survival time between high-dose GABA and Na-DMPS used immediately after poisioning. It is concluded that high-dosage GABA can effectively antagonize acute toxicity of teramine in mice. And it is suggested that high-dosage GABA may be used as an excellent antidote for acute TET poisoning in clinical practice. The indications and correct dosage for clinical use awaits to be further studied.
Acute Disease ; Antidotes/*administration & dosage ; Antidotes/therapeutic use ; Bridged Compounds/*poisoning ; Random Allocation ; Rodenticides/*poisoning ; Unithiol/therapeutic use ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/*administration & dosage ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/therapeutic use

A mouse model for acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was established by using the hydrodynamical injection of mouse tail vein, in which the immunocompetent BALB/c mice were hydrodynamically injected with a competent replication plasmid pAAV-HBV1.2 having 1.2 fold over-length of HBV DNA. On day 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 after injection, the levels of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in blood serum were detected by using ELISA and fluorogenic quantitative PCR assay (FQ-PCR). And on day 8. HBsAg and HBeAg in liver tissue were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. It was found that HBsAg in blood serum could be detected on day 1 after infection in 14 of 16 mice (85.7%) injected with pAVV-HBV1.2 by using ELISA assay and the peak levels of HBsAg and HBeAg were attained during the first day after injection and then it dropped down gradually up to day 8 following injection. The titer of HBV DNA in blood serum attained its peak on day 2 and maintained a high level later on. On day 8 after injection, its titer was 1.9×10~4 copies/mL. The percentage of HBcAg-positive hepatocytes and HBsAg-positive hepatocytes in liver tissues were 5% and 2% respectively. Thus, by using the hydrodynamic injection with the competent replication plasmid, a mouse model for acute HBV infection is successively developed.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the combination of serum DKK1 (Dickkopf-1 )and P53 autoantibodies in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods Serum levels of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the 1 26 patients with ESCC and 60 normal controls.Receiver operating characteristics (ROC)was used to calculate the diagnostic efficiency.Results The serum levels of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies were signifi-cantly higher in ESCC than those in normal controls [(673.09 ±343.82)pg/ml vs (362.05 ±1 48.07)pg/ml, Z =6.1 58,P <0.000 1 ;(0.398 ±0.546)vs (0.069 ±0.050),Z =3.832,P <0.000 1 ].ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cutoff for serum DKK1 was 588.77 pg/ml,with an area under curve (AUC)of 0.780 (95%CI:0.71 5 ~0.844,61 .9% sensitivity,95.0% specificity).Measurement of P53 autoantibodies demonstrated an AUC of 0.674 (95%CI:0.598 ~0.750,45.3% sensitivity,95.0% specificity).The com-bination of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies yielded an AUC of 0.843 (95%CI:0.788 ~0.897,73.8% sensitiv-ity,95.0% specificity).In early-stage ESCC,combined detection of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies improved the diagnostic power,with an AUC of 0.903 (95%CI:0.845 ~0.961 ,81 .0% sensitivity,95.0% specifici-ty).Conclusion Serum DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies can be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for the ESCC.Combined detection of them might aid the early diagnosis of ESCC.

Objective To investigate the effect on differentiation of denervated skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) induced by TGF-β1 in vitro.Methods MDSCs were obtained from the rat denervated skeletal muscle by preplate technique,with TGF-β1 adding on medium.Cultured cells were divided into two groups.A,control group; B,10 ng/ml TGF-β1 group.Cell growth was observed with phase contrast microscope.lmmunocytochemistry,quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot was used to detect the expression of Sca-1,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,α-SMA and vimentin in denervated MDSCs.Results The synthesis of COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,α-SMA and vimentin by denervated MDSCs was extremely low at protein level in vitro,while Sca-1 level was really high.Belong to the treatment with TGF-β1,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,oα-SMA and vimentin in the denervated MDSCs had strong expression,but Sca-1 in which had a weak expression.Under the stimulation of TGF-β1,COL-Ⅰ expression reached peak at the 2nd day (12.5591 ± 0.3389),which was about 3 times as control group.COL-Ⅲ reached highest value at the 5th day (0.8956 ± 0.0438),which was about 23 times as control group.α-SMA topped out to 18 times at the 5th day (1.1090 ± 0.0018).Vimentin expression rose by 8.5 times and peaked at the 5th day (0.1794 ± 0.0019).The expression of Sca-1 began to decline at the 2nd day,with a remarkable reduction at the 5th day (0.0636 ± 0.0015).Conclusion TGF-β1 could induce differentiation of the denervated MDSCs to myofibroblasts in vitro,and promote the synthesis and excretion of extracellular matrix.

ASICs are H+-gated novel cation ion channels, which belong to the epithelial sodium channels (NaC/DEG) superfamily. As recent studies focus, ASICs are expected to be pharmacological targets on protecting the neuron from ischemia and damage, improving the ability of memory and study, curing epilepsy and analgesia. It is not until the most recentness that the subunits of ASICs have been cloned. Now, researchers have paid more attention to the distribution, expression, function and modulation of ASICs in the organism.

Objective To study the role of mutation of p300/CBP gene in the development of human gastric carcinoma (GC) . Methods Mutations analysis of the p300/CBP gene were carried out in 30 fresh GC samples using a combination of polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing,and compared with gastric mucosa distance from the GC. Results p300/CBP genes mutations were detected in 4 of 30 fresh GCs. All the mutation were point mutations, including T to G in nucleotide 4741, 4773,4847 and 4881 in genomic DNA of p300. The mutation site was in the non-coding area in nucleotid 4741;whereas in the others were in the coding area, leading to the change of the amino acids, induding Ser to Arg in nucleotide 4773, Val to Ala in nucleotide 4847 and 4881, respectively. Of the 30 patients, 4 cases with the single site mutation were discovered, 2 cases had the first two sites mutation, while the others had all the four sites mutation. Conclusions Two to four poiuts mutation of p300/CBP gene are presented in GC.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of several methods in eliminating Mycoplasma contamination in cell culture of human hepatoma-derived cell line C3A. Methods PCR was performed to detect the Mycoplasmas contamination in cell cultures. The contaminated samples were treated by ciprofloxa-cin, heating, Plasmocure or co-culturing with macrophages. Transmission electron microscope ( TEM) and Q-PCR were used to comparatively analyze the cell morphology and gene expression before and after Plas-mocure treatment. Results Plasmocure succeeded in eliminating Mycoplasma contamination, while cipro-floxacin showed temporary efficacy. Heating and co-culturing with macrophages failed to eliminate Mycoplas-ma contamination. No Mycoplasma contamination in the Plasmocure-treated group was observed under TEM and the expression of ALB, TF and CYP3A4 genes were higher than the genes expressed in the contaminated group (P<0. 01). Conclusion Plasmocure treatment was effective in eliminating Mycoplasma contamina-tion in cell culture. Moreover, the cell morphology and gene expression in Plasmocure-treated group were re-stored to normal.

Objective To investigate the effects of the site for access to internal jugular vein (lateral versus anterior),lying position of patients (supine versus Trendelenburg),and head rotation (0°,20°,and maximum) during central venous catheterization on the location depth and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the right internal jugular vein (IJV).Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers were recruited in this prospective observational study from September 2008 to October 2008.Healthy volunteers were placed in flat supine position and 15°.Trendelenburg position separately.In each position,IJV were measured ultrasonographically from lateral site and anterior site with the head oriented at 0°,20°,and maximum rotation separately.Data of measured CSA and location depth of internal jugular vein in different positions were compared.Results The largest CSA (2.16 ±0.89) cm2 and location depth [(1.38 ± 0.43)cm] were occurred at the lateral approach in Trendelenburg position with head oriented at maximum rotation.The CSA in Trendelenburg position was larger than that in flat supine position.Only at the maximum head rotation,lateral approach got statistically larger CSA.The effects of head rotation varied with different degrees of rotation.Conclusions Site of approach,lying position and head rotation had noticeable effects on internal jugular vein cross-sectional area.Trendelenburg position increased the CSA of IJV.