OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bone marrow stem cell transplantation (BMT) on the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHODSThe bone marrow-derived stem cells form male SD rats was transplanted through the tail vein into 18 female 8-week-old mdx mice, which were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT (6 at each time point), respectively. The diaphragm muscles of the mice were subjected to HE staining, immunofluorescence detection of dystrophin, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of dystrophin mRNA transcripts and PCR analysis of Sry (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) gene, with age-matched female C57 mice and untreated mdx mice as the controls.

RESULTSThe proportion of centrally nucleated fibers (CNF) in the diaphragm muscle of the recipient mdx mice was (15.58+/-0.91) %, (12.50+/-1.87) % and (10.17+/-1.17) % at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT, respectively, significantly smaller than that of untreated mdx mice [(19.5+/-1.87) %], and the fibers after BMT showed less inflammatory infiltration. Compared with the untreated mice, the recipient mdx mice showed green fluorescence on significantly more diaphragm muscle cell membranes [with the proportion of dystrophin-positive fibers of (1.00+/-0.32) %, (6.00+/-1.05) % and (11.92+/-1.11) % at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after BMT]. RT-PCR of dystrophin mRNA also demonstrated significantly higher relative levels of dystrophin in the recipient mdx mice (0.19+/-0.05, 0.26+/-0.06 and 0.36+/-0.04 at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT) than in untreated mdx mice, and Sry gene was present in the recipient mice.

CONCLUSIONBMT can partially restore dystrophin expression and ameliorate the pathology in the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, and has great potential to produce general therapeutic effect in patients with DMD.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Diaphragm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dystrophin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of minimal residual disease (MRD) in children with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) of different genetic abnormalities.

METHODSBetween February 2004 and April 2013, 271 newly diagnosed B-ALL pediatric patients who had finished the induction chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of changes in MRD in patients with different genetic abnormalities on the 15th day and at the end of the induction therapy were analyzed.

RESULTSOn the 15th day of the induction chemotherapy, the MRD positive proportion in patients with hyperdiploid was higher on all the three cut-off levels of MRD≥0.1%, 1% and 10% compared to patients without hyperdiploid (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the MRD positive proportion on the three levels of MRD between the TEL-AML1-positive and TEL-AML1-negative groups (P>0.05). On the end of induction chemotherapy, there was no significant difference in the MRD positive proportion on the three levels of MRD between the patients with and without hyperdiploid (P>0.05), neither between the BCR-ABL-positive and negative groups. The MRD positive proportion in TEL-AML1-negative patients was significantly higher than in TEL-AML1-positive patients on all three levels of MRD (P<0.05). The MRD positive proportion on two levels of MRD≥0.01% and 0.1% in E2A-PBX1-negative patients was significantly higher than in E2A-PBX1-positive patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with B-ALL of different genetic abnormalities have different MRD levels during, and at the end of, induction therapy. The prognostic significance of MRD may be related to the genetic abnormalities.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; genetics

Recombinant mutant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rmhG-CSF) was pegylated, purified and characterized. rhG-CSF was mutated in position 1,3,4,5,17, and cysteine was added in C-terminal. rmhG-CSF was pegylated by PEG-Mal 20000 and separated by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography. Analysis of SDS-PAGE showed thar the purity of the separated PEG-rmhG-CSF was greater than 95%. and in intro and in vivo bioactivity study showed that target modified PEG-rmhG-CSF kept full bioactivity which was better than traditional pegylation method, and longer half-life was proved in mice.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Protein Sorting Signals ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the positive ratio and clinical significance of PreS1Ag and anti-PreS1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS428 patients with chronic HBV infection were collected, these patients were divided into e antigen-positive CHB group, e antigen-negative CHB group, inactive HBsAg carrier group and HBsAg serum conversion group. The difference of positive ratio of PreS1Ag and anti-PreS1 among all groups or between every two groups were analyzed; The relationship of PreS1Ag and anti-PreS1 with HBV M and HBV DNA were also analyzed. SPSS13.0 software was used for statistical treatment. Fourfold table chi-square test or matched-pairs chi-square test was used for enumeration data, and independent sampler t test or rank-sum test was used for measurement data.

RESULTSThe differences of PreS1Ag among four groups were statistically significant (X2=141.7, P<0.05). The positive ratio of PreS1Ag in e antigen-positive CHB group was 95.7%, followed by 82.8% in e antigen-negative CHB group, 13.2% in inactive HBsAg carrier group and 2.2% in HBsAg serum conversion group. The difference of positive ratio of anti-PreS1 between HBsAg seroconversion group and HBsAg positive group was statistically significant (X2=6.919, P<0.05), which indicated that anti-PreS1 had good correlation with HBsAg seroconversion. The average absorbance ratio of PreS1Ag in high viral replication group (179.30) was higher than that in low viral replication group (133.87), statistical significance appeared (Z=-3.86, P<0.05). Though the difference of absorbance ratio of anti-PreS1 between two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05), descent trend was apparent with virus replication level ascending. We analyzed the concordance of anti-HBs and anti-PreS1 by matched-pairs chi-square test, result showed no statistical significance of detection rate between them, X2=0.262, P>0.05. Serum PreS1Ag, HBeAg or HBcAg in liver tissue in reflecting hepatitis B replication had correlation with HBV DNA (X2=33.840, 24.159, 4.854 in order, P<0.05). Correlation coefficient between PreS1Ag and HBV DNA was higher (r=0.628) than that between HBeAg and HBV DNA (r=0.563).

CONCLUSIONPreS1Ag was more sensitive than HBeAg in diagnosing viral replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Anti-PreS1 as protective antibody may be involved in clearance of hepatitis B, positive result indicated recovery of chronic hepatitis B.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and lab features of sibling brother and sister both with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHODSWe conducted comprehensive clinical and lab investigations including the test of serum enzymes, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography, color Doppler echocardiography, HE staining of skeletal muscles, immunohistochemical study of dystrophin and utrophin, multiple ligation probe amplification (MLPA) on exon 1-79 of dystrophin gene, and short tandem repeat-poly- merase chain reaction of CA repeats located in dystrophin gene.

RESULTSThese two patients were confirmed to suffer from DMD. They were characterized by typical features of DMD including typical clinical manifestations, increased serum enzymes, EMG presenting myogenic impairment, HE staining presentation belonging to DMD, negative dystrophin in brother, and inconstantly positive on the sarcolemma of sister. Furthermore, no deletion or duplication was found in the 1-79 exons of dystrophin gene. The suffering brother and sister carried the same maternal X chromosome.

CONCLUSIONSCarriers of DMD gene show typical clinical and laboratory manifestations of DMD. Comprehensive examinations should be performed for such carriers.

Dystrophin ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Siblings

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between serum iron(SI) and essential hypertension (EHT) based on population-based samples.

METHODSUsing clustering multistage sampling method, all the people above 18 years old in the target population were investigated. Blood pressure was measured and the questionnaire was used to find out related factors. Five milliliters fast vein blood were drawn and the serum were used for testing on serum iron (SI) and other elements such as blood sugar, cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), serum sodium, serum potassium, serum calcium etc. A case control study was carried out with EHT patients from the selected population as case group, and the other healthy peoples as controls. Database was created by Fox Pro and SPSS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe concentrations of SI, with (17.75 +/- 7.66) micromol/ L in EHT group and (17.23 +/- 7.83) micromol/L in control group, showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. The concentrations of SI also showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the high DBP and normal group with the average level as (17.84 +/- 7.58) micromol/L in high DBP group and (17.26 +/- 7.85) micromol/L in normal group. Data from monovariate analysis showed that the increase of SI was a risk factor for EHT, DBP and SBP. By multivariate analysis for EHT, while SI still existed in the model (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.057-1.590), but for SBP the results almost remained the same (OR = 1.285, 95% CI:1.102-1.498).

CONCLUSIONData from the results showed that SI was probably a risk factor for EHT.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; epidemiology ; Iron ; blood ; Risk Factors

The present study focused on the characterization and genomic sequence of phage PS2 that infects Serratia marcescens clinical isolates.The morphology of phage PS2 was observed with electron microscope.The one-step growth curve,host range,and stability of PS2 were investigated.In addition,Phage DNA was extracted from the purified phage particles using a MiniBEST Viral RNA/DNA Extraction Kit.DNA sample was analyzed by digesting with restriction enzymes.The phage DNA was used for constructing the sequencing library.The library was sequenced on a MiSeqTM platform.The whole genome sequence was obtained by Velvet (version:1.2.08) assembling.Phage PS2 belongs to the Myoviridae family.The linear,circularly permuted,167 266-bp double-stranded DNA genome of PS2 has high similarities to T4-1ike phages.The phage DNA contains 41.7％ GC and 276 ORFs.PS2 exhibited a 21-minute latent period and 70 PFU per cell at burst size when the pathogenic S.marcescens strain S2 served as a host.Further investigation suggested that PS2 is stable in a wide pH range (pH5 to pH10) and at extreme temperatures (50 ℃ and 60 ℃) after incubation alone at different pHs and different temperatures,respectively.The paper focused on the isolation and identification of a novel lytic S.marcescens phage,the biological characteristics,the whole genome sequencing and the preliminary study of bioinformatics,which laid the foundation for deeply analysis to the phage therapy of multi-drug resistant bacteria and the phage biological information.

Objective: Most of the studies on the herb Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR) have focused on the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway, but the nitrate-nitrite-NO (NO

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Eighteen compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Litsea cubeba by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, semi-preparative RP-HPLC, chiral HPLC and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with reported spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were established by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. These compounds were identified as (+)-(R)-4-hydroxypiperitenone (1a), (-)-(S)-4-hydroxypiperitenone (1b), (3S,4S,6R)-3,6-dihydroxy-1-menthene (2), (4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-isopropyl-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (3), (R)-6-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-6-methylcyclohex-2-enone (4), (4S,6R)-4-hydroxy-6-isopropyl-3-methylcyclohex-2-enone (5), (1R,3S,4R)-3-hydroxy isopulegol (6), subamone (7), (6S)-3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-2(Z)-octen-6-olide (8), (6S)-6,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2(Z)-enoate (9), holostylactone (10), sesamin (11), dimethylmatairesinol (12), p-hydroxybenzoylcarbinol (13), syringaldehyde (14), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (15), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (16), 5,4ʹ-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (17). Among them, compounds 1a and 1b were a pair of new monoterpenoid enantiomers, 8 and 9 were new natural products, 2-7, 10, 11 and 17 were isolated from Litsea genus for the first time. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1-17 were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, the results showed that compound 14 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with NO inhibitory rate of 66.27% at a concentration of 40 μmol·L^-1.