Bone Transplantation ; Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the deleted azoospermia (DAZ) gene copy related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with male spermatogenic impairment.

METHODSThis study included 121 infertile men with different de- grees of spermatogenic impairment and 95 healthy donors from the sperm bank. Using PCR, PCR-RFLP, and Y chromosome specific sequence tagged sites (STS) , we analyzed the association of DAZ gene copy deletions related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with spermatogenic impairment.

RESULTSThere were 15 cases of gr/gr deletion (12. 40% ) and 6 cases of b2/b3 deletion (4.96%) in the infertility group as compared with 13 cases of gr/gr deletion (13.68%) and 1 case of b2/b3 deletion (1.05%) in the control. Analysis of the DAZ-specific single nucleotide variant (SNV) loci revealed 11 gr/gr-DAZI/DAZ2 deletions (9.09%), 4 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (3.31%), and 6 b2/b3-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (4.96%) in the infertile men in comparison with 3 gr/ gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (3.16%), 10 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (10.53%), and 1 b2/b3- DAZ3/DAZ4 deletion (1.05%) in the control.

CONCLUSIONPartial deletions of gr/gr and b2/b3 exist in both healthy men and male patients with different degrees of spermatogenic impairment and cannot be considered as a risk factor for spermatogenesis impairment. However, deletions of different DAZ duplicons in gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions have different effects on spermatogenesis. DAZ1/DAZ2 instead of DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions might be associated with spermatogenesis impairment.

Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

The complete genomes of more cyanobacterial strains have been completed for sequence, and genetic engineering of cyanobacteria has evolved in the post-genome era. Since Kaneko and colleagues had completed the sequence for the complete genome of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 in 2001, functions of some genes in this genome, including fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) gene, have been predicated using the method of bioinformatics. However, little information is available regarding whether this gene can encode FBA and its product characteristics of related enzyme. Here, to explore this information, the predicted II-FBA gene-encoding region in Cyanobase database was cloned by PCR method and then ligated into pET-32a to generate the expression vector, pET-FBA-II. The results of SDS-PAGE indicated that the expression level of the expected target polypeptide was approximate 23.4 percent as compared to total protein and the molecular weight is about 40 kDa as compared to the protein molecular marker. The results of enzyme activity analysis showed that the activity of II-FBA was ~11.8 U per mg protein and owned a standard activity of II-FBA. To sum up, the results not only prove the functional prediction of this II-FBA gene from the Cyanobase database, but also provide the important conditions for further studying its physiological and biochemical characteristics and functions of the gene expression product.

Succinic acid is regarded as C4 platform chemical, which has a huge potential market with wide applications in biopolymer, food, medicine, and so on. Production of succinic acid by microorganism fer-mentation has attracted much attention in recent times. By fermentation, succinic acid could be produced from renewable resources in place of petroleum with low cost and low pollution; especially CO2 could be fixed by microorganism to form the product, which is a promising way to deal with the green gas. Some E. coli have been chosen as good succinic acid producing strains because of their clear genetic backgrounds, convenience to be modified and controlled, and good growth properties with low nutrients requirements. The progress of genetic engineering strategy and metabolic engineering technology for construction of succinic aicd producing recombinant E. coli has been introduced in this paper with the discussion of the future re-search in this area.

To comparatively evaluate the efficacy and post-operative complications of the Madigan's prostatectomy (MPC) and suprapubic prostatectomy (SPPC). Methods: A total of 43 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into two groups: 21 underwent MPC and 22, SPPC. In all the patients, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and urinary pressure-flow studies were assessed before and 6 months after operation. The International Continence Society (ICS) nomogram, Abrams-Griffiths (AG) number and linear passive urethral resistance relation analysis (L-PURR) were used to diagnose and grade bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The IPSS and the urodynamic parameters before and after operation, as well as the advantages and post-operative complications were recorded and compared. Results: Patients of both the MPC and SPPC groups had a significant improvement in IPSS and urodynamic parameters. Obstruction was relieved in 81.0% of MPC and 86.4 % of SPPC patients. MPC has the advantages of the absence of postoperative hematuria and post-catheter stricture, a shorter period of hospitalization, and lower incidence of retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: Both MPC and SPPC can effectively relieve BOO. MPC has certain advantages and a lower incidence of complications as compared with SPPC.

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetic and distribution of arctiin in rats. METHODS Each rat was given a single dose at random by oral administration. The arctiin in serum and organs were determined by use of RP-HPLC. All pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with a 3P87 program. RESULTS After oral administration of arctiin at the dose of 300mg·kg-1, Arctiin plasma C-T curve conform to open two-compartment model. The Pharmacokinetic parameters were as follow: A=(37.374 5±8.964 7)μg·mL-1;B=(6.210 6±1.489 3)μg·mL-1;α=(0.004 3±0.000 9)min-1;β=(0.000 4±0.000 2)min-1;Kα=(0.420 2±0.167 5)min -1;t1/2α=(115.192 6±14.382 4)min ;t1/2β=(1 485.578 1±161.173 3)min;K10 =(0.001 0±0.000 4)min -1;K21=(0.001 4±0.000 6)min -1 ;K12=(0.002 3±0.001 3)min -1 ;Cmax=(41.786 3±7.521 7)μg·mL-1 ;Tmax=(9.891 9±4.341 4)min;AUC=(22 503.272 7±4 120.182 8)μg·min·mL-1. Liver had the highest concentration of arctiin after oral administration. CONCLUSION RP-HPLC method is rapid, sensitive and specific for the research of arctiin pharmacokinetic and its distribution in rats. Arctiin is distributed and eliminated quickly in rats.

Human, birds and other mammals can be infected by avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Bird infections spread among continents in the last 2 years. Human infections become endemic in certain areas, characterized with young patients and high mortality. An unprecedented epizootic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus that is highly pathogenic has crossed the species barrier in Asia to cause many human fatalities and poses an increasing pandemic threat. This summary describes the features of human infection with influenza A (H5N1) in epidemiology and etiology and reviews recommendations for prevention.
Animals ; Birds ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Indonesia ; epidemiology ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza in Birds ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission

OBJECTIVE To study influence of arctiin from seeds of Arctium lappa on hemorheology of experimental rats with the blood stasis syndrone. METHODS The blood hemorheology parameters, Fib, aPTT and PT of experimental rats with the blood stasis syndrone were evaluated using semi-automatic biochemical analysis. RESULTS Arctiin obviously decreased their high shear, middle shear, low shear, the blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation index, red blood cell rigidity index and reductive viscosity. It also significantly prolonged the time of aPTT and PT and lowed the Fib concentration. CONCLUSION Arctiin apparently ameliorated the blood rheology abnormality and enhanced anti-coagulation effect on experimental rats with the blood stasis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk awareness and preparedness related to pandemic flu in China.

METHODSTwo groups of people, mainly employers and employees from enterprises, were covered in the survey, using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (in-depth interview) methods. The employers and employees were from joint-ventured corporations, large state-owned corporations and private companies which were randomly selected from 7 major cities in China.

RESULTS(1) 82% of the people surveyed and interviewed had basic knowledge on pandemic flu. (2) 60% of the joint-ventured corporations had worked out or were working on their business continuity plan in the event of pandemic flu, compared to that of state-owned corporations and private companies that the figure was only 21% . (3) 67% of the joint-ventured corporations had informed their preparedness plan on pandemic flu to their employees, while that of the state-owned and private corporations, it was only 42 %. (4) About 70 % of the corporations was establishing policies for restricting travel to affected geographic areas (both domestic and international), evacuating the employees who working in or near the affected area when an outbreak began. (5) Nearly 60 % of the corporations thought annual flu vaccination was important and hence encouraging and tracking annual flu vaccination for employees. (6) 70% of the corporations paid high attention on providing sufficient and accessible supplies (e. g. hand - hygiene products, tissues and receptacles for their disposal) to control the epidemics in all business locations while nearly 76 % of the corporations were interested in purchasing commercial medical insurance.

CONCLUSIONJoint-verntured corporation were doing better than domestic corporations in terms of risk awareness and preparedness on pandemic flu, suggesting that the domestic corporation should learn from them regarding on pandemic flu preparedness to limit the negative impact of pandemic flu.

Adult ; Awareness ; Commerce ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Health

ObjectiveTo study the quality control methods for 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection.MethodsThe appearance,pH,contents of the bases,the labeling yield,asepsis and bacterial endotoxins of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kits from three different batches were examined.The kit stability was estimated under different conditions.The transparence,pH,radiochemical purity,half-life,asepsis and bacterial endotoxins of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 injection were tested.ResultsThe 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection were both achromous and transparent,with pH values being 5.9 ± 0.1 and 5.5 - 7.0 respectively.The contents of stannous chloride and TRODAT-1 were stable.The labeling yield of the kit and the radiochemical purity of the injection were both ≥95％.The asepsis test demonstrated that the characters of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection were qualified.TRODAT-1 kit was stable at 0 -4 ℃ for 6 months or at room temperature (20 -25 ℃ )for 10 days,and the radiochemical purity of the injection was still ＞ 90％ at room temperature for 8 hours.ConclusionsThe quality control methods for 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit are simple and practical.The kit and injection are qualified and can be used for clinical application.