Reverse transcriptase-PCR experiments suggest that the two clusters of genes potentially involved in the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds are organized as operons in strain of the acidophilic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, the two clusters of genes including such the ORF of putative sulfate-thiosulfate-molybdate binding proteins, the ORF of putative thiosulfate: quinone oxidoreductase and the ORF of the rhodanese-like protein (P21). Bioinformatic analyses have predicted the possible promoters sequences and the possible +1 start site of transcription for the doxDA operons.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiphasic Screening ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Rural Population ; Spouses ; Young Adult ; beta-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

Toxocara vitulorum has been rarely reported in yaks at high altitudes and remote areas of Sichuan Province of Tibetan Plateau of China. The current study was designed to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of T. vitulorum in yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau. Fecal samples were collected from 891 yak calves and were examined for the presence of T. vitulorum eggs by the McMaster technique. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to explore variables potentially associated with exposure to T. vitulorum infection. T. vitulorum specimens were collected from the feces of yaks in Hongyuan of Sichuan Province, China. DNA was extracted from ascaris. After PCR amplification, the sequencing of ND1 gene was carried out and phylogenetic analyses was performed by MEGA 6.0 software. The results showed that 64 (20.1%; 95% CI 15.8–24.9%), 75 (17.2; 13.8–21.1), 29 (40.9; 29.3–53.2), and 5 (7.6; 2.5–16.8) yak calves were detected out to excrete T. vitulorum eggs in yak calve feces in Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, and Gansu, respectively. The present study revealed that high infection and mortality by T. vitulorum is wildly spread on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau, China by fecal examination. Geographical origin, ages, and fecal consistencies are the risk factors associated with T. vitulorum prevalence by logistic regression analysis. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of ND1 gene of T. vitulorum indicated that T. vitulorum in the yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau are homologous to preveiously studies reported.
Altitude ; Animals ; Ascaris ; Cattle* ; China* ; DNA ; Eggs ; Feces ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Ovum ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Tibet ; Toxocara*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers.

METHODS2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism.

RESULTS163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia.

CONCLUSIONCarrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.

Adult ; Carrier State ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Rural Population ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the specific antitumor immune response induced by idiotype protein (Id)-pulsed dendritic cells (DC) in vitro.

METHODSDC was generated from peripheral blood monocytes of the multiple myeloma (MM) patients using GM-CSF, IL-4, and TNF-alpha. The DCs were pulsed with idiotypic fragment, the F(ab')2 fragment of M protein from MM patient at the immature stage. The morphologic characteristics of the cells were observed with light and electron microscopes. The phenotypic features were analyzed with FACS, MTT assay was employed to evaluate the proliferation of autologous T cells and the inhibition rate of MM cells.

RESULTSDC precursors in peripheral blood could be induced to typical mature DC in medium containing GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha. Mature DC with Id could increase the proliferation of the autologous T cells and activate naive T cells to become tumor specialized cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The CTL at different doses showed significant inhibition on or killing ability to autologous MM cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONSIn a suitable cytokine environment, the DC precursors from peripheral blood of MM patients could be induced to functional DC, and vaccination of Id-pulsed DC could induce active antitumor immune response.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

This study is to report the study of protective effects of myricitrin against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and the investigation of the possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin. The model of H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was used to determine the protective effects of myricitrin. The levels of LDH, MDA and the activities of SOD, NO were measured using the respective kits. The H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was detected using MTT reduction, TUNEL assay, JC-1 and ROS staining. The activation of Caspase-3 was also measured by fluorometry. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined with Western blotting assay. Myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The results show that myricitrin could attenuate H2O2-induced decrease in the activities of SOD (P < 0.01). Myricitrin could decrease the levels of LDH, MDA and increase cell viability and the mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.01). Myricitrin had protective effects in a dose-dependent manner between 32 micromol x L(-1) to 64 micromol x L(-1). Myricitrin pretreatment could attenuate H2O2-induced increase of p-ERK. Moreover, myricitrin pretreatment could up-regulate the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, down-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and decrease the expression of Caspase-3, 9. In conclusion, myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. Myricitrin can enhance the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and decrease the production of free radicals. The possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin are due to myricitrin-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of the apoptosis signaling pathways-related kinase ERK, up-regulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, and down-regulation of the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Yisui Shengxue Granule (, YSSXG), a complex Chinese medicine, on the oxidative damage of erythrocytes from patients with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease.

METHODSTwenty-two patients with HbH disease and 22 healthy volunteers were observed. YSSXG was given to patients with HbH disease for 3 months. Before and after the 3-month treatment, blood parameters [hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), and reticulocyte percent (Ret)] were examined; inclusion bodies in erythrocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); activities of antioxidant defense enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (Cat)] and erythrocyte membrane malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were determined.

RESULTSIn patients with HbH disease, measured values of RBC and Hb obtained from the first to the third months after treatment with YSSXG were significantly higher than before treatment (P<0.01). Measured values of Ret from the second to the third months after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Prior to treatment with YSSXG, TEM images of RBCs showed the presence of numerous inclusion bodies. After treatment with YSSXG, the amount and volume of inclusion bodies decreased. Treatment with YSSXG also led to a significant increase in SOD activity (P<0.01), a decrease in Cat activity (P<0.01), and no significant differences in GSHPx activity (P>0.05) or MDA concentration (P>0.05). However, compared with the healthy counterparts, SOD, GSH-Px, and Cat activities presented at high levels (P<0.01) both before and after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSYSSXG could improve the degree of hemolysis and anemia in patients with HbH disease. The mechanism may be related to its antioxidative effects, which could elevate the activity of total SOD in erythrocytes and efficiently inhibit the oxidative precipitation of β-globin chains.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; alpha-Thalassemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology

Objective To investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia among students of secondary school in Chongzuo, Guangxi. Methods From June 10-20,2008 among 7 regions of Chongzuo, 1 secondary school was randomly chosen from each region, and the number of student volunteers was determined by 0.5‰ proportion of the local population size. 1097 students were screened, including 515 boys and 582 girls of 12-16 year olds. Among them, 968 cases were Zhuang (438 boys and 530 girls) 128 cases were Han (76 boys and 52 girls) and one case was Yao nationalities (boy). Analysis of blood cells was detected by Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator while hemoglobin F (HbF) and hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) were detected by hemoglobin autoanalyse variant. Among those with HbA2≥ 4% that belonged to β-thalassemia before α and β-thalassemia gene were analyzed to identify the genotypes. IfHbA2 was <4% but MCV≤80 fl, α-thalassemia gene was analyzed. Results Among 1097 cases,218 wereα-thalassemia (19.87%), 50 were β-thalassemia (4.56%) and 13 were combination of α β-thalassemia (1.19%). The overall detected ratio was 25.62%. 133 cases with thalassemia were boys (25.83%) and 148 were girls (25.43%) with no significant difference(P>0.05). 255 cases of thalassemia were Zhuang (26.34%), and 25 were Han nationality (19.52%). The detected ratio among Zhuang nationality was higher than in Hun nationality and with significant difference statistically (P<0.01). 3 kinds of deletion (-α3.7/,-α<4.2>/, --SEA/) and another 3 kinds of non-deletion (αα CS/, αα WS/, αα QS/) α-thalassemia genotype were identified, with a higher rate of ααWS/. Among the β-thalassemia genotype, CD41-42 appeared the most common genotype. MCV of thalassemia was lower than in the controls, with significant difference (P<0.01). 78-90 fl of α-thalassemia was detected from the MCV specimen. If taken MCV<79 fl as the positive phenotype of thalassemia, 32 cases were misdiagnosed. The rate of missed diagnosed cases was 2.97%. Conclusion Rate of thalassemia carder among students of secondary school in Chongzuo, Guangxi was considered to be high, especially those belonged to Zhuang nationality were higher than the Hans. The carrier rate of ααWS/was higher, with CD41-42 the most common genotype.

Objective To develop the National Norms of Negligence (NNN) for rural children aged 0 to 35 months.Methods According to multi-stage stratified cluster sampling principle,10 provinces or municipalities (Jilin,Shaanxi,Shanxi,Beijing,Anhui,Jiangsu,Hunan,Hubei,Yunnan,Chongqing) in China were selected.A national research group was formed collaboratively.A questionnaire was designed by ourselves.According to several statistical analysis methods,such as item,factor and reliability analysis etc.we determined the norm.The evaluation criteria of the scale were determined by percentile method.Finally,the reliability and validity of the norm were evaluated.Results In total,2310 children were surveyed,in which the effective sample were 2227,with an effective rate as 96.4％.The scale consisted of 6 neglected dimensions and 65 items in total.The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.903,with the split-half reliability coefficient as 0.829,the parallel reliability as 0.720 and the re-test reliability as 0.678,respectively.The total neglect cut-off score of this scale was 139.Conclusion The scale seemed to have perfect stability and reliability and all the statistical indicators met the psychometric demands.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and toxicity of nedaplatin combined with tegafur in the treatment for patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

METHODSAmong the 65 patients with advanced esophageal cancer, 27 had no history of prior chemotherapy and the other 38 had ever received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy before. The median age of those cases was 58.0 years. Nedaplatin was given daily by intravenous infusion at a dose of 20 mg/m(2) for 2 hours and tegafur at a dose of 500 mg/m(2) for 8 hours on D1 approximately D5, every 21 days as a cycle.

RESULTS193 cycles of chemotherapy were accomplished in the 65 patients, and 63 patients were evaluable for response evaluation. Of 27 patients with no prior history of chemotherapy, 6 achieved complete response and 16 partial response, with a response rate (CR + PR) of 81.5%. Among the 36 patients who had ever received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, 6 obtained complete response and 10 partial response with a response rate (CR + PR) of 44.4%. The overall median time to tumor progression in this series was 5.6 months. The overall median actuarial survival was 9.3 months, and the one-year survival rate was 24.9%. Nausea and vomiting were the major toxicities, but were mild and well tolerable. Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia was only observed in two patients (3.2%).

CONCLUSIONThe regimen of nedaplatin combined with tegafur is effective and tolerable for the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Tegafur ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Vomiting ; chemically induced