Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Silicosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiologic value of diarrheagenic E. coil harboring genomic O island 28(OI-28) containing five putative virulence genes (Z0608, Z0609, Z0615, Z0634 and Z0635), which were related to RTX (Repeat in toxin) toxin family isolated from children with diarrheal disease in Taiyuan.

METHODSIn the study, 257 fecal samples from children with diarrheal disease collected in Shanxi Children's Hospital. Diarrheagenic E. coli and enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified by conventional bacterial culture and typing specific diarrheagenic E. coli (EPEC, EIEC, ETEC and EHEC) diagnostic serum, while diarrheagenic E. coli harboring genomic 01-28 containing five putative virulence genes (Z0608, Z0609, Z0615, Z0634 and Z0635) were detected by PCR and DNA southern blot hybridization.

RESULTS206 strains (80.16%) of enteropathogenic bacteria were detected from 257 children with diarrhea disease, containing 149 strains (57.98%) of diarrheagenic E. coli and 57 strains(22.18%) of other entero-pathogenic bacteria. Among 3 strains (2.01%) of EPEC, 2 strains (1.34%) of ETEC, 2 strains (1.34%) EHEC were detected by typing specific serum, while all of the 142 strains (95.30%) isolated were suspected to be diarrheagenic E. coli. 21 strains (14.09%) of diarrheagenic E. coil harboring genomic O1-28 containing five putative virulence genes (Z0608, Z0609, Z0615, Z0634 and Z0635) were detected by polymerase chain reaction and DNA southen blot hybridization, 8 strains (5.37%) of diarrheagenic E. coli containing only one genomic OI-28 virulence gene, 2 strains (1.34%) of diarrheagenic E. coli containing two genomic OI-28 virulence gene. 21 children with diarrhea diseases caused OI-28-harboring E. coli containing five important putative virulence genes were among 0 to 3 years old (80.95%). These children correlating with OI-28-harboring E. coli did not present special clinical symptoms or signs.

CONCLUSIONThe diarrheagenic E. coil harboring genomic OI-28 was one of the important etiology for children with diarrheal disease in summer season.

Child ; China ; Diarrhea ; microbiology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Escherichia coli Infections ; complications ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemiological features of viral hepatitis, and provide scientific evidence for developing strategies for prevention and control.

METHODSThrough descriptive epidemiological methodology, the epidemiological characteristics of 1121 viral hepatitis cases in Chongwen District (1997-2006) were studied. chi2-test was used in ratio comparison.

RESULTSThere were 1121 viral hepatitis cases occurring in the past decade, and the incidence rate was declining by year with the average of 27.10/ 100,000. Of which, the incidence rate of viral hepatitis B was the highest (13.90/ 100,000), viral hepatitis C (1.38/100,000) was the lowest. The proportion of viral hepatitis B was the highest (575, 51.29%) and viral hepatitis C (57, 5.08%) was the lowest. The incidence of viral hepatitis A, B and no-typing was declining year by year, while viral hepatitis C and E was climbing. Most viral hepatitis A and E cases occurred in Spring and Winter, and the difference of incidence rate between male and female was observed (chi2 = 188.39, P < 0.001). The findings also showed that viral hepatitis might occur in all kind of occupation, but most were workers (306, 27.3%) and officers (209, 18.64%). For the age distribution, 20 -49 years old group took the majority (749, 66.82%); and for the transmission route, blood transfusion (7.64/ 100,000) was significantly higher than fecal-oral route (3.02/ 100,000) (chi2 = 5.09, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIt is necessary to raise and increase the public awareness for viral hepatitis prevention and control, and enhance immunization. Moreover, effective measures should be taken to the safety of blood and blood products, and to prevent nosocomial infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged

Aged ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas Infections ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; classification ; isolation & purification

An extremely thermoacidophilic isolate K4-1 was obtained from an acidic hot spring in Teng- chong Rehai, Yunnan province. Morphology, growth characteristics, utilization of carbon compounds, en- ergy sources and 16S rRNA gene sequence of K4-1 were studied. Cells of K4-1 are irregular cocci with monotrichous flagella. The strain grew aerobically in either a lithotrophic or a heterotrophic mode. Growth on elemental sulfur occurred through oxidation of sulfur. It grew optimally at 75?C and pH 3.5. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K4-1 was shown to belong to genus Sulfolobus, being related to the type strains of genus Sulfolobus (86.6%~94.3% similarity), and being most closely related to strain Sulfolobus tengchongensis RT8-4 (98.9% similarity). The GenBank accession number of strain K4-1 16S rRNA gene sequence is EU729124.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression profile of NK ligands in acute leukemia cell lines and investigate the differential expression pattern between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSUsing quantitative real-time PCR, 23 NK ligands (MICA, MICB, ULBP-1, ULBP-2, ULBP-3, ULBP-4, HLA-E, HLA-G, CD48, NBTA, HLA-F, LLT-1, PVR, Nectin2, CD72, CD80, ICAM-1, LFA-3, CRACC, Fas, DR4, DR5, TNFR1) were detected in 6 acute leukemia cell lines, including 3 ALL cell lines (CEM, Jurkat T, Reh) and 3 AML cell lines (HL-60, KG-1a, NB4), respectively. Independent-samples t test analysis was performed to determine statistical significance.

RESULTSUsing β-actin as reference gene, the relative expression results showed that the expression of 4 NK ligands between ALL and AML is significantly different. Specifically, the level of ULBP-2 is higher in ALL (CEM: 1, Jurkat T: 0.617, Reh: 0.246) than that in AML (HL-60: 0.000, KG-1a: 0.003, NB4: 0.000)(P = 0.047). However, the expressions of CD48, PVR(PVR-1, PVR-2) and DR4 is higher in AML (HL-60: 13.987, 4.403, 10.334, 8.711; KG-1a: 5.387, 2.900, 7.315, 4.512; NB4: 7.763, 3.248, 7.049, 6.127) than that in ALL (CEM: 1, 1, 1, 1; Jurkat T: 2.035, 1.553, 3.888, 0.449; Reh: 1.559, 0.000, 0.000, 1.304) (P = 0.044, 0.014, 0.014, 0.011). And there're no significant differences between the rest 19 NK ligands.

CONCLUSIONSULBP-2, CD48, PVR and DR4 might play an important role in the distinct mechanisms in leukemogenesis between ALL and AML and could be potential targets for diagnosis and treatment.

Acute Disease ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD48 Antigen ; Cell Line, Tumor ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ligands ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Virus ; genetics ; metabolism

AIM To explore the effects of ligustrazine on blood rheology,aldose reductase (AR) and renal function in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.METHODS The DN rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotoein (55 mg/kg),rats were randomly divided into five groups,model group,irbesartan [50 mg/(kg · d)] group,high-,middle-and low-dose of ligustrazine [200,100,50 mg/(kg · d)] groups,together with normal control group.All the rats received daily garage for eight successive weeks.At the end of experiment,blood rheology,blood glucose,aldose reductase in erythrocyte and kidney tissue,24 h urinary protein,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,creatinine clearance and renal function were observed.RESULTS Compared with the model group,blood rheology,blood glucose and renal function in various treatment groups were effectively improved,and aldose reductase activity was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).HE staining and PAS staining showed that the pathological changes in kidney were significantly alleviated.CONCLUSION Ligustrazine can protect kidney of DN rats by ameliorating blood rheology,decreasing blood glucose and inhibiting aldose reductase activity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of tramadol on c-fos expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and serum IL-6 levels induced by plantar incision in rats.

METHODSThe Brennan pain model was induced by incision on the planter surface of left hind paw in rats. Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into six groups: Sham group (Group C), control group (Group I,pretreatment with saline 5 ml), three tramadol pretreatment groups (Group T1, T10 and T20,pretreated with 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg tramadol, respectively) and one tramadol treatment group (Group PT10, treated with tramadol 10 mg/kg immediately after operation). Pain behavior was assessed by withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation intensity, response latency of the hind paw to radiant thermal and a cumulative pain score 2 h after incision. Fos-positive neurons in spinal cord were identified by the immunohistochemical technique. Serum IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSWithdrawIal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation intensity and response latency of the hind paw to radiant thermal in Group I were significantly lower than those in Group C (P<0.01). Cumulative pain score in Group I was significantly higher than that in Group C (P<0.01). In Groups of T10 and T20, withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation intensity and response latency of the hind paw to radiant thermal were significantly higher than those in Group I (P<0.01), cumulative pain score was significantly lower than that in Group I in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), and were also those in Group PT10. The greatest density of Fos-positive neurons was located in lamine I-II in Group I. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in Group I. Pretreatment with tramadol showed a dose-depended inhibitory effect on c-fos expression and serum IL-6 production,but not in Group T1. Administration of tramadol postoperatively also suppressed the c-fos expression and serum IL-6 production as showed in PT10 but were weaker than those in Group T10.

CONCLUSIONPretreatment with tramadol can produce dose-dependent inhibitory effect on c-fos expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and then suppress the inflammatory response to the trauma.

Analgesics, Opioid ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Posterior Horn Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tramadol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Yersinia pestis capsular antigen F1 and recombinant rV270 on mice after immunization with them.Methods According to body weight,40 female Balb/c mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into four experimental groups(Fl-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant,F1-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant,rV-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant,and rV-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant) and a control group,8 in each group.Mice in experimental groups were immunized with the natural antigen F1 and recombinant antigen rV270 adsorbed to 25％ aluminum adjuvant and the control group was immunized with the same amount of aluminum adjuvant.Each mouse was immunized at the hind leg muscle with 100 ml immunizing agent,then a booster immunization was done once on the 21st day after the first immunization.The blood of all mice was collected on the 8th week after the first immunization,serum antibody titers were detected by ELISA and the data of antibody titers were analyzed by t test for comparison between groups.At the same time the mice were injected subcutaneously with 2000-fold LD50 of Yersinia pestis virulent strain 141,after 14 days,the protective effect of immunization was analyzed.Results The control group did not produce antibody.Antibody geometric mean titers (GMT) of the F1-10 mg + aluminum adjuvant and F1-20 mg + aluminum adjuvant groups were 1 ∶ 30443.9,and 1 ∶21527.8,respectively,and compared between the two groups,the difference was not statistically significant (t =1.1282,P ＞ 0.05).The GMTs of the rV-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant and rV-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant groups were 1 ∶ 13957.3 and 1 ∶18100.9,respectively,and compared between the two groups,the difference was not statistically significant(t =0.9408,P ＞ 0.05 ).After subcutaneous injection with Yersinia pestis virulent strain 141,all mice died in the control group but all survived in the experimental group.Conclusion The immune activity of natural antigen F1 and recombinant rV270 is high,which can be used as the main component of subunit vaccine in the plague subunit vaccine study.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of tramadol on the proinflammatory responses in a rat model of incisional pain by investigating its effects on nociceptive thresholds and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-2 levels.

METHODSForty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats scheduled for plantar incision were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=6 in each group). Rats in Group 1 receiving general anesthesia with no incision were served as control; At 30 min before skin incision, Groups 2 to approximately 5 were given 5 ml normal saline or 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg tramadol, respectively, intraperitoneally (i.p.); Group 6 received 10 mg/kg tramadol after operation; Group 7 received 10 mg/kg tramadol before incision, followed by 200 microg/kg naloxone after operation. Mechanical allodynia was measured by electronic von Frey filament to evaluate the nociceptive thresholds 1 h before incision, and 1 h and 2 h after operation. Serum IL-6 and IL-2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2 h after operation.

RESULTSMechanical thresholds decreased significantly and serum IL-6 level increased significantly after operation in Group 2 compared with control (P<0.01), and these changes were reversed respectively by tramadol in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). IL-2 level remained unchanged after operation in Group 2, but decreased in Group 3 (P<0.05), then gradually returned to the normal level in Groups 4 and 5. The intraperitoneally injected tramadol (10 and 20 mg/kg) produced a potent and dose-dependent antinocicptive effect on the lesioned paw. The antinocicptive effects of tramadol were partially antagonized by naloxone (200 microg/kg), suggesting an additional non-opioid mechanism.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that tramadol could be a good choice for the treatment of pain under the conditions that immunosuppression may be particularly contraindicated.

Analgesics, Opioid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Interleukin-2 ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; methods ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Pain, Postoperative ; blood ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tramadol ; pharmacology