Phage display is a widely used gene engineering high technology.Through the display of exogenous peptides or proteins fused specific coat protein on the surface of phages,it is possible to construct proteins or peptides libraries and screen interesting proteins,peptides and antibodies successfully.Most commonly used phage display technology is phagemid/helper phage system,in which helper phages are essential for the replication and assembly of phagemid particles.In this review,in combination with the newest research dynamic status,we summarize phagemid/helper phage double-genome system.We mainly emphasized the features and mutation mechanisms of different helper phages.We also made some prospects for the future directions,in the meanwhile,we also expect that our experience can provide some help for further maturity of the technology.

Possible seasonal differences in serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations have not been studied in newborn infants. Recently we demonstrated sea- sonal differences in bone mineral content (BMC) in newborn infants: lower BMC was present in summer vs. winter-born infants (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1992; 15: 285). In a second stduy, higher serum osteocalcin, an index of bone formation, and lower BMC were found in summer vs. winter (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1994; 19: 2207). We speculated that increased serum osteocalcin in summer could be an adaptive response to decreased bone mass. Since growth factors such as IGFs are local regulators of bone formation, we hypothesized that in summer-born infants, serum IGF-I will be higher than in winter, associated with high bone formation activity. Fifty-nine healthy, term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were studied prospectively in winter (Jan-Mar, 29) and in summer (July-Sept., 30). Thirty infants were male, and 29 infants were female. Gestational ages and birth weights were not different by season(in summer, mean+SD, 39.61.1 wk, 3,471360 g,' in winter, 39.31.4 wk, 3,402 392 g). Cord serum IGF-I was measured by radioimmunoassay, modified from Furlanetto et al (1977), after acidification and sep-pack extraction of serum, and osteocalcin concentrations were determined by a kit radio-immunoassay. Cord serum IGF-I concentrations were not different by season of birth(summer vs. winter, 20.11.83 vs. 16.5 1.75 ng/mL, p=0.2). No gender differences were found: 18.21.8 vs. 18.2+1.8 ng/ mL in males vs. females. Serum osteocalcin was higher in summer vs. winter-born infants (8.22.3 vs. 4.951.58 ng/mL, p=0.009). BMC was different by season (87.2+ 14.5 vs. 94.1+16.4 mg/cm, p=0.02). Cord serum IGF-I was not related to serum osteocalcin and BMC. We conclude that serum IGF-I concentrations are not different by season or gender, and are not related to bone formation activity and BMC. Thus, IGF -I concentrations in serum are not seasonally regulated, nor associated with an index of bone formation activity.
Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Male ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Prospective Studies ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seasons*

Objective To investigate the effects of all -trans retinoic acid (ATRA),acitretin and tazarotene on apoptosis and active caspase-3 of human melanoma cells A375 and to discuss the relevant significance.Methods The effects of retinoids on apoptosis and active caspase-3 of A375 cells were examined in vitro.Early apoptosis analysis by double staining with annexin V-FITC and PI,and active caspase 3 analysis by the staining of FITC conjugated monoclonal rabbit anti active caspase-3 antibody were measured by flow cytometer.Results ATRA and acitretin induced apoptosis of A375 cells (both P＜0.05),but tazarotene was not effective (P＞0.05).ATRA and acitretin elevated the cell population with detectable active caspase-3 (both P＜0.05),but tazarotene was not effective either (P＞0.05).Acitretin played a most prominent role among the retinoids. Early apoptosis ratio was significantly and positively correlated with active caspase-3 percentage in both ATRA and acitretin (P＜0.05).Conclusions Acitretin and ATRA induce apoptosis of A375 cells in which caspase is critical.Retinoids are prospectively applied as an assisting alternative for treating melanoma.

Objective To observe the effect of oral minirin in postoperative transsphenoidal surgery patients with central diabetes insipidus. Methods The changes in the urine volume and osomlality after two weeks of minirin medication (0. lmg, 3 times each day) were observed in 34 patients with central diabetes insipidus underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Results After two weeks of minirin therapy,the average daily urine volume decreased from 7985.40 ±410. 36 ml to 2277. 87 ± 328. 94 ml,and the average plasmas osmolarity increased from 301. 68 ± 3. 59 ml/d to 313. 26 ±4. 87 mOsm/ kg. No adverse reaction was observed during the therapy. Conclusions Minirin is effective and safe in the therapy of postoperative transsphenoidal surgery patients with central diabetes insipidus.

Objective To investigate the effects of estrogen replacement therapy on the serum nitric oxide and endothelin-1 level of ovariectomized rat.Methods The ovariectomized animal model and estrogen replacement therapy rat were established,thirty female rats were randomly divided into three groups:group A,ovariectomy;group B,ovariectomy plus estrogen replacement therapy;group C,sham-ovariectomy.The rats were killed after two months.The serum nitric oxide and endothelin-1 level were determined.Results In group A,the serum nitric oxide level was lower as compared with group C,but the serum endothelin-1 level was higher than those in group C.In group B,the serum nitric oxide level was higher and the serum endothelin-1 level was lower than those in group A.Conclusions Estrogen could modulate the productions of the nitric oxide and the endothelin-1 in the vascular endotheliocytes and improve the function of the vascular endothelial cells,which may be a bases of the benificial effect of estrogen in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate expressions of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3)in cutaneous malignant melanoma(CMM)lesions, and to explore their significance. Methods The expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were detected with an immunohistochemical method using polymer enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies in skin specimens from 22 CMM lesions and 23 pigmented nevus lesions. The effects of STAT3 and p-STAT3 expressions on lymph node metastasis of CMM were evaluated. Results The expression rate of STAT3 was significantly higher in CMM lesions than in pigmented nevus lesions (95.5% vs. 56.5%, χ2 = 9.23, P < 0.05), so was that of p-STAT3 (90.9% vs. 43.5%, χ2 =11.38, P < 0.05). STAT3 expression in CMM lesions had no obvious effects on lymph node metastasis of CMM (P > 0.05), while the elevated expression of p-STAT3 in CMM lesions was a predictive factor for lymph node metastasis in CMM (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.38, P < 0.05). Conclusion Increased expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in CMM may play important roles in the pathogenesis of CMM, and elevated p-STAT3 expression may contribute to invasion and metastasis of CMM.

Chemokine CXCL12 ; Child ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; Receptors, CXCR4

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hyalin* ; Hyaline Membrane Disease* ; Infant, Newborn

To determine the incidence of prenatal brain damage, and evaluate the clinical and neurosonographical characteristics, we prospectively examined 508 newborn infants with intracranial ultrasound within the first day of life who admitted to the NICU of Severance Hospital from June 1990 to January 1992 and reviewed maternal or neonatal medical records. We found 12 cases (2.4%) of fetal brain lesions and ten of which had antenatal periventricularintraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. One of 10 infants had focal parenchymal hemorrhage, 1 had diffuse parenchymal hemorrhage with a porencephalic cavity, 1 had multicystic periventricular leukomalacia with spongiform cerebromalacia, and 1 had multicystic periventricular leukomalacia. Another 2 infants showed multicystic periventricular leukomalcia and multicystic encephalomalacia with ventriculomegaly respectively. Of 12 infants with prenatal brain damage, 7 were full-term, 5 were preterm, 9 were appropriate-for-gestational age, 2 were small-for-gestational-age, 7 were male, and 9 were delivered vaginally. Ten of 12 infants had perinatal asphyxia and five of which showed severe asphxia. Ten of 12 cases had significant materanl histories (three of which had preterm labor, three had premature rupture of amniotic membrane, one had preeclampsia, one had frequent upper respiratory tract infection and influenza, one had herb medication, and one had mental retardation). Only one infant with prenatal brain damage was asymptomatic and ll infants exhibited a few clinical signs during the neonatal period (all 5 infants had respiratory distress symptom, 4 infants had multiple congenital anomalies, 2 infants showed janudice and one infant had seizure). Of 9 infants who were taken electroencephalogram, 7 infants showed abnormal findings and four of 9 infants taken brainstem auditory evoked potential test exhibited abnormal response. Cerebral palsy and mental retardation were documented in two infants, 5 infants were lost on follow-up examination, and 5 infants were discharged against doctor's advices and died. This study confirms that some drain damage is prenatal and these lesions are associated with the development of cerebral palsy. therefore, prenatal brain damage can not be attributed to obstetrical events and neonatal care, We recommend that a fetal neurosonographic examination should be done in the last trimester of all pregnancies, especially in the presence of significant obstetric history or suspected fetal malformations and neonatal brain sonogaraphy be done within the first week of life. These examination are justified because they would allow early intervention to help offset possible neurologic deficits, would help prepare parents and pediatricians for possible limitations, and would prevent lawsuits and protect against malpractice allegations. But, it is not clear that every newborn infants need an ultrasound scan, since detection of prenatal brain damage would be of little benefit to the patients and enormous cost of routinely examining all pregnancies would be required.
Amnion ; Asphyxia ; Brain* ; Cerebral Palsy ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Electroencephalography ; Encephalomalacia ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza, Human ; Intellectual Disability ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; Male ; Malpractice ; Medical Records ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Parents ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Meningitis* ; Sepsis*