BACKGROUND:From the point of view of human anatomy, the load of the spine is more. When the body moves, the range of activities, and activity are relatively large. After screws were implanted in the spine, if biomechanical properties and stability are not up to the standard, it easily leads to lack of grip force of screw and screw loosening so as to increase the incidence of complications after treatment.
OBJECTIVE:To compare biomechanical properties and stability of the spine after insertion of pedicle screw and cervical vertebral screw into the spine.
METHODS:100 vertebrae under human cervical spine specimens were analyzed and randomly divided into cervical vertebral screw fixation group and pedicle screw fixation group. Cervical vertebral screws and pedicle screws were implanted in lower cervical spine specimens. Electro Force 3510 material testing machine was used to test axial pul-out force, axial pul-out strength after the fatigue loading, and fixed stability. The biomechanical properties and stability were compared after two kinds of screws were implanted in the spine.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Instantaneous pul out force and immediate pul out stiffness were significantly higher in the pedicle screw fixation group than in the cervical vertebral screw fixation group (P<0.05). (2) Fatigue pul-out strength and fatigue pul-out stiffness did not have significant differences in both groups, but statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05). Fatigue pul-out strength and fatigue pul-out stiffness were significantly higher in the pedicle screw fixation group than in the cervical vertebral screw fixation group. (3) These results suggested that pedicle screw fixation after implantation in the spine provides sufficient fixation stability, has better fatigue resistance, elevates instantaneous pul-out force and fatigue pul-out strength, and presents strong stability.

OBJECTIVETo express P1B, P2A, P3AB and P3D cDNA gene fragments in prokaryotic system using thioredoxin fusion expression system; to investigate the antigenicity and application of recombinant protein.

METHODSBy using PCR technique, P1B, P2A, P3AB and P3D gene fragments were cloned. Choosing M47 as the expressive vector, the recombinant plasmid P1B, P2A, P3AB and P3D was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli after inducing by IPTG. By anion exchange and affinity chromatography, purified recombinant protein was obtained. By using Western Blot analysis and indirect ELISA to detect its antigenic activity.

RESULTSFour recombinant plasmids was proved to be constructed successfully by sequencing and the correct molecular weight of their expression products. Recombinant proteins were obtained in BL21 (DE3) and purified after Ni2+ affinity chromatography. Western Blot analysis and indirect ELISA showed that P2a had specific antigenicity.

CONCLUSIONThe P2a protein expressed in prokaryotic system was proved to have specific antigenicity. The indirect ELISA distinguished 24 positive sera from 24 negative sera. It is very likely that P2a can be an antigen to diagnose acute patients of hepatitis A and differentiate inactivated vaccine-induced immunity from an infection.

Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis A virus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) V3 loop amino acid mutations among HIV-1 infected people in Liaoning province.

METHODSThe whole blood samples of the HIV carriers and AIDS patients were collected in Liaoning province, China and were extracted PBMC genome DNA. HIV-1 V3 and flanking region sequences were amplified by nest-polymerase chain reaction (nest-PCR) with env specific primers: ED5/ED12 and ED31/ED33. Products were sequenced directly and sequences were aligned, translated and analyzed.

RESULTSIn AIDS group, some amino acid mutations at specific position of V3 loop: S to R at position 11, H to S, T and N at position 13, A to V at position 19, F to Y at position 20, Q or D to N at position 25 and 29, were found and all common mutations were associated with T tropic/SI phenotype. The frequency of such amino acid mutations in specific positions was higher in AIDS group than that of the asymptomatic infection group (P < 0.05). In addition, we found some unusual tetramer compositions on the tip of V3 loop: GQGR, APGR and RPGA, GLGR, RPGA in addition to some rare mutations, such as: N to H at position 5 and H to S, F at position 34.

CONCLUSIONThe amino acid mutations on the V3 loop of HIV-1 epidemic in Liaoning province were in agreement with the results of subtype B, but we observed some rare mutations and unusual tetramer compositions on the tip of V3 loop.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genes, env ; genetics ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDElevated levels of interleukin-7 (IL-7) have been correlated with CD4(+) T cell depletion and the emergence of syncytium-inducing (SI) variants in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, and suggested as an indicator of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) disease progression. Therefore, we investigated the effects of IL-7 on disease progression and virus phenotype in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study of 71 untreated HIV-1 seropositive individuals and 12 healthy donors, plasma IL-7 levels were determined by an ultra sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and its relations to CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, plasma viral loads and HIV phenotypes were analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant higher IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients [(3.33 +/- 3.60) pg/ml] than those of health controls [(1.2 +/- 0.81) pg/ml] (P < 0.05), and IL-7 levels were inversely associated with CD4(+) T cell counts (r = -0.497, P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-7 levels were significant higher in patients with SI variants [(9.12 +/- 4.55) pg/ml] than those with non-syncytium-inducing variants [(1.50 +/- 2.69) pg/ml] (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIncreased IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients and significantly associated with disease progression, thus increased IL-7 plasma levels may indicate disease progression.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Disease Progression ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Interleukin-7 ; blood ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVEThe study was to evaluate the method of early laser intervention of hemangioma in facial and neck regions of infant.

METHODSBetween January 1999 and December 2006, twelve patients, aged 6 days to 3 months, with cutaneous hemangioma in facial and neck regions, were treated with laser, eight cases with Nd:YAG laser therapy and four cases with Venus laser therapy. Four cases with hemangioma in facial and neck regions of infant treated with oral corticosteroid were as control. The outcome was recorded with 1 to 6 years of follow-up.

RESULTSTotal resolution was obtained in twelve patients with laser intervention. Atrophic scars occurred in eight patients with Nd:YAG laser therapy, without other complications, such as ulceration, life-threatening hemorrhage and et al. No scar occurred in four patients with Venus laser therapy. Recurrence was not seen in twelve cases with laser therapy with follow-up. Hemangiomas enlarged continuously in four cases with oral corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSIONEarly laser intervention is an excellent management of cutaneous hemangioma in facial and neck regions of infant.

Face ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Infant ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers ; Light ; Male ; Neck

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; immunology ; Disease Progression ; Female ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Fibula ; transplantation ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo collect background information on drug resistance mutations in treatment-naïve HIV-1 infected individuals in Liaoning Province.

METHODSSamples from 91 antiretroviral therapy-naïve patients were collected. The entire protease gene and 1-290 amino acids of the reverse transcriptase gene were amplified by nested PCR from provirus DNA and sequenced. The results were analyzed with HIVdb-Drug Resistance Algorithm, and genotypic resistance mutations were determined to particular anti-HIV drugs.

RESULTSTotally 91 sequences were obtained, 3 of which displayed M46I mutations in the protease gene. Minor resistance mutation rate to protease inhibitors was 100%, including types of L63P (60.4%), V77I (60.4%), M36I/V (31.9%), A71V/T (22.0%), L10I (8.8%), and K20R (6.6%). Only one sequence carried reverse transcriptase related resistance mutations M184I.

CONCLUSIONSAbout 4.4% of HIV-1 infected individuals in Liaoning Province carried strains with drug resistance mutations. Most treatment-naïve HIV-1 infected individuals in Liaoning Province were sensitive to the currently available antiviral medicines, but antiviral treatment must be in accordance with the strict procedures to keep better adherence and avoid the prevalence of drug-resistant strains.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; HIV Protease ; genetics ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo determine the relative resistance to HIV-1 infection of CD4 + T lymphocytes in HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (ESNs) in China.

METHODSHIV primary isolates were obtained from peripheral whole blood of HIV-infected persons. CD4 + T lymphocytes of Chinese ESNs were separated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with magnetic cell sorting (MACS). The purified CD4 + T lymphocytes were cocultured with HIV primary isolates. The p24 level was detected and the culture medium was refreshed every 3 days within 2 weeks.

RESULTSFor M tropic HIV strains, p24 level was significantly lower in ESN group than in control group (P < 0.05); for some M tropic HIV strains, even no p24 replicated in ESN group. However, T tropic virus strains had no significant difference between these two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCD4 + T lymphocytes of Chinese ESNs may possess relative resistance to M tropic HIV strains, which may be one of the main influencing factors that result in ESN.

Adult ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; virology ; China ; Female ; HIV ; classification ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV Seronegativity ; immunology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Sexual Partners

BACKGROUNDTo investigate variant genotyping of CCR2-64I, SDF1-3'A and CCR5Delta32 in HIV-1 infected Chinese Long-term nonprogressors and to study their association with disease progression.

METHODSThe genotypes of CCR2-64I, SDF1-3'A and CCR5Delta32 were detected by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assay in seventeen HIV-1 infected Chinese Long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) and thirty-nine Chinese typical progressors (TPs).

RESULTSThe frequency of CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A in LTNPs are 50% and 62.5%, higher than those (23.08% and 33.33%) in TPs. Only one heterozygous CCR5 mutant was detected in LTNPs, and no CCR5 mutant in TPs.

CONCLUSIONVariant genotyping of CCR2-64ISDF1-3'A and CCR5Delta32 may be protective factors for delaying disease progression in HIV-1 infected Chinese LTNPs.

Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; HIV Long-Term Survivors ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptors, CCR2 ; genetics ; Receptors, CCR5 ; genetics ; Receptors, HIV ; genetics