OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) strains subtypes in Shandong province and to study their source in order to predict the epidemic trend.

METHODSEpidemiological investigation was made and 93 DNA fragments of HIV-1 env, gag, tat gene were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction from people infected with HIV-1, in 2002 - 2003. Their C2-V3, P17/P24, 1st exon of tat and adjacent region were sequenced.

RESULTSSequence analysis showed that there were 7 HIV-1 strains or circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), B' (n = 71), CRF01-AE (n = 9), CRF07-BC (n = 3), CRF08-BC (n = 3), B (n = 2), C (n = 2), CRF02-AG (n = 2). B' strains was the predominant which, covered 10 cities and 4 kinds of population including blood donors, blood receivers, spouses of the infected people and clients of the sex workers. CRF07-BC, CRF08-BC strains were identified in 5 cities, mainly from injecting drug users. CRF01-AE and other strains were found distributed in developed cities, among sex workers.

CONCLUSIONThere were many kinds of subtypes and CRFs of HIV and their genomes which generated obvious variation in Shandong province, suggesting that they might facilitate the spread of the disease in Shandong province.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology

To summarize the syndrome differentiation and treatment of hemorrhoids bleeding of doctor Ding Zeming by ana-lyzing the composing principle of traditional Chinese medicines(Hemorrhoid Bleeding Mixture for oral administration,Yuhuai Zanglian pill,Buqi Shexue decoction and Fanhuang Xiaozhi liquid for external use and inj ection,etc),which are developed by doctor Ding and are used to treat bleeding from hemorrhoids.The pathogenesis of bleeding form hemorrhoids are the oppres-sion from wind,heat(fire) and dryness to the large intestine,the obstruction of the collaterals,the blood overflowing the veins and are mostly excess syndrome.The treating methods are cooling the blood,clearing away the heat,treating both symptoms and root causes,using charcoal drug,treating the internal and external symptoms,combining diseases and syndromes to find the common causes.

To demonstrate the phylogenetic evolution, the molecular characteristics of the motif of HA protein cleavage site and the varieties at the receptor binding sites of the hemagglutinin gene of the duck-origin H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses, sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis were performed by MEGA 4.1 Neighbor-Joining method.. The results revealed that the duck-origin H9N2 AIV viruses originated from CK/BJ/1/94-like and North-Ame-like, all the duck-origin H9N2 AIV viruses from mainland China belonged to CK/BJ/1/94-like and formed multiple genotypes through complicated re-assortment, while other duck-origin H9N2 AIV, isolated from other countries in Aisa, American and European such as Korea, Japan, Alberta, Austria, Switzerland, Iran, belonged to the North-Ame-like phylogenetic lineage. The amino acids at positions 183, 190, and 226 of the receptor binding sites of North-Ame-like group isolates had highly conserved H, E and Q respectively. In contrast with duck-origin H9N2 AIV viruses isolates from mainland China, the amino acids had N at positions 183, A, T, or V at 190, L or Q at 226, which was the same as the chicken-origin H9N2 AIV from mainland China. Most newly isolated chicken-origin H9N2 AIV in Fujian Province in Southern China had L at position 226 emphasized the higher risk of cross-infection between the chicken-origin and duck-origin H9N2 AIV in China.
Animals ; China ; Ducks ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A virus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Alignment

To reveal the molecular biological characteristics of genome of circovirus in infected ducks, two nucleotide fragments were amplified by overlapping PCRs using DNA extracted from various tissues of ducks. After they had been assembled together, the nucleotide components, the genome organization and the phylogenetic scale of the sequence were analyzed. The results showed that the obtained sequence is a circular DNA with a total length of 1995nt. It contains 6 open reading frames (ORFs), and shares a high identity of 97.4% with the MuDCV circovirus sequence presented in GenBank (AY228555). These results indicate that the amplified product stems from duck circovirus sequence.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Circovirus ; classification ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Ducks ; virology ; Genetic Variation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

To screen and separate the genes differentially expressed in human embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM)-derived stromal cells, a subtracted library was generated through the suppression subtractive hybridization using the cDNA of human embryonic AGM-derived stromal cells as target and human fetal liver (FL)-derived stromal cells as drivers. Then a high though screening technique, gene chip, was used to screen the differentially expressed genes in the established subtractive library. Approximately 18 of the resulting subtracted cDNA clones were partially sequenced and analyzed by blastn in the GenBank database. The results showed that 211 Clones were selected and identified from the established subtractive library, the positive ratio was amount to 76.4%. 18 over-expressed genes were screened by gene chip with more than a 5-fold difference expression levels between AGM and FL-derived stromal cells, and were selected to sequence, results of sequencing indicated that the 18 sequences was compared to known sequences in the GenBank database, and among the sequenced clones, 14 sequences were considered as part of the known genes, and 4 sequences representing previously unknown genes. The known genes were reported to involve the regulation of cell migration, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, cell cycle, signal transduction, and angiogenesis. Most of these genes have not been reported to relate to the haematogenesis in ontogeny. It is concluded that many genes both known and unknown are differentially expressed in human embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros-derived stromal cells. Discovery of these genes provides a solid foundation to elucidate the mechanism of haematogenesis in ontogeny.
Aorta ; embryology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gonads ; embryology ; Hematopoiesis ; physiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesonephros ; cytology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1)/Smads signaling pathway in rats with chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODSFresh diethylnitrosamine (DENA) solution was administered in SD rats to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The protein expressions of TGF-beta1, phosphorylated Smad2, Smad4 and Smad7 were detected in these rats with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expression of Smad4 was evaluated with RT-PCR.

RESULTSCirrhotic nodules occurred in the rats 8 weeks after DENA treatment, and HCC nodules were found 16 weeks after the treatment. In the normal liver tissue, very low levels of TGF-beta1 and Smad4 expressions, low Smad7 expression and high phosphorylated Smad2 expression were detected. The development of liver cirrhosis was accompanied by increased expressions of TGF-beta1, Smad4 and Smad7 but at 8 weeks after DENA treatment, the expression of phosphorylated Smad2 was significantly decreased, followed then by gradual increment till nearly the normal level. Twenty-two weeks after DENA treatment, Smad4 expression in liver tissue decreased markedly as compared with the levels at 8 and 16 weeks. The expressions of Smad4 and phosphorylated Smad2 in the HCC tissue was significantly lower than those in normal liver tissue.

CONCLUSIONHepatocarcinogenesis involves very complex mechanisms, can can be related partially to the decreased Smad4 and phosphorylated Smad2 expression and TGFbeta1 and Smad7 overexpression in advanced stage of liver cirrhosis.

Animals ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad4 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of octreotide (OCT) on inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and investigate its mechanisms.

METHODSNude mice bearing xenografts in situ were treated with OCT or saline control for 7 weeks since tumor implantation. The immunohistochemistry for somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), cMet, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), phospho-Smad2, Smad4 and Smad7 was performed. SSTR2 and Smad4 mRNA expression was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSAfter OCT treatment, the mean tumor weight in mice given OCT (0.17 +/- 0.14 g) was significantly lower than that of the control group (0.53 +/- 0.06 g). The inhibition rate of tumor was 67.9%. mRNA and protein expression of SSTR2, Smad4 in tumor cells of the treatment group were significantly more than that of the control group. cMet expression in OCT group was remarkably lower than that in control group. Between two groups, the expression of TGFbeta1, phospho-Smad2 and Smad7 were not remarkably different. In addition, phospho-Smad2 expression in HCC was significantly less than that of the normal hepatic cell.

CONCLUSIONOCT can inhibit the growth of HCC xenografts markedly. The mechanisms of OCT-induced inhibition effect may be related to up-regulating SSTR2 expression, down-regulating cMet, and recovering the function of TGFbeta/Smads-induced antitumor. In addition, the decreased expression of phospho-Smad2 may be an important feature of Bel7402 cells.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Octreotide ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Somatostatin ; biosynthesis ; Smad2 Protein ; biosynthesis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of delayed opening of the infarct-related artery (IRA) by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the late left ventricular remodeling after acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI).

METHODSSixty four patients with initial Q-wave AAMI and with the total occluded IRA conformed by angiogram at 9.1 +/- 2.3 (2 - 14) days after the onset were divided into successful PCI group and control group (not receiving PCI or the IRA not re-opened). Two-D echocardiogram was performed at acute phase (about 3 weeks), 2 and 6 months after onset of AAMI respectively to detect the left ventricular function and left ventricular wall motion abnormality (VWMA). The total congestive heart failure events were recorded during 6 months follow-up.

RESULTSVWMA scores, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes (LVEDVI and LVESVI) were similar in 2 groups at acute phase and 2 months after the onset of AAMI. There were no differences between the parameters above at acute phase and 2 months in each group too. VWMA scores and LVEF did not changed significantly at 6 months in each group compared with those at acute phase and 2 months (P > 0.05). But LVEDVI and LVESVI were significantly smaller in the successful PCI group than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The rate of congestive heart failure events was 19% in control group and 2.0% in successful PCI group (P > 0.05) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDelayed opening of IRA in AAMI could prevent the late phase but not the early phase of left ventricular remodeling after AMI.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms underlying bone marrow damage by iron overload in pancytopenic patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test (IRP).

METHODSTwenty-one iron overloading, 26 non-iron overloading IRP patients and 10 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The expressions of ROS, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and apoptosis of BMMNC were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Antioxidants were added to iron overloading IRP BMMNC, and then the changes of indices above were detected by FCM. The number and apoptosis of T lymphocytes of IRP patients were also detected.

RESULTSROS and apoptosis of BMMNC, myelocytes, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than that of non-iron overloading IRP ones and normal controls (P < 0.05). The expressions of Bcl-2 on BMMNC, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly lower than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones (P < 0.05). The levels of Caspase-3 on myelocytes, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones and normal controls (P < 0.05). After treatment with antioxidants, the expressions of ROS, Caspase-3 and apoptosis of iron overloading IRP BMMNC significantly decreased, but opposite for Bcl-2. The percentages of CD4(+) lymphocytes [ ( 40.86 ± 8.74）%] and CD4(+)/CD8(+) (1.44 ± 0.36) in PB of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than that of non-iron overloading IRP ones [(35.96 ± 7.03)% and 1.14 ± 0.37] and normal controls [(28.00 ± 6.73)% and 0.79 ± 0.21], respectively (P < 0.05), as opposite for CD8(+) lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The apoptosis of CD8(+) lymphocytes [(27.35 ± 10.76)%] and the ratio of CD8(+) apoptosis/CD4(+) apoptosis (2.51 ± 0.81) in BM of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones [(15.47 ± 8.99)%] and normal controls (1.39 ± 0.47), respectively (P < 0.05). The apoptosis of erythrocytes and stem cells coated with auto-antibodies in BM of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP and normal controls.

CONCLUSIONMechanisms underlying bone marrow damage by iron overload might be through the follows: ①The increased ROS induced by excessive iron deposition affected the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2, which caused more BMMNC apoptosis; ②The abnormal number and ratio of T lymphocytes caused by iron overload aggravated the abnormality of immunity of IRP; ③Iron overload may increase the damage to erythrocytes and stem cells coated with auto-antibodies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Humans ; Iron Overload ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDBerberine is one of the main constituents of Coptidis rhizoma (CR) and Cortex phellodendri. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of berberine on renal function and its possible mechanisms in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSMale Wistar rats were divided into three groups: normal, diabetic model, and berberine treatment groups. Rats in the diabetic model and berberine treatment groups were induced to diabetes by intraperitonal injection with streptozotocin (STZ). Glomerular area, glomerular volume, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr) and urine protein for 24 hours (UP24h) were measured using commercially available kits. Meanwhile, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum, activity of aldose reductase (AR) and the expression of AR mRNA and protein in kidney were detected by different methods.

RESULTSThe results showed that oral administration of berberine (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) significantly ameliorated the ratio of kidney weight to body weight. Glomerular area, glomerular volume, FBG, BUN, Cr and UP24h were significantly decreased in the berberine treatment group compared with the diabetic model group (P < 0.05). Berberine treatment significantly increased serum SOD activity and decreased the content of MDA compared with diabetic model group (P < 0.05). AR activity as well as the expression of AR mRNA and protein in the kidney was markedly decreased in the berberine treatment group compared with diabetic model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that berberine could ameliorate renal dysfunction in DN rats through controlling blood glucose, reduction of oxidative stress and inhibition of the activation of the polyol pathway.

Aldehyde Reductase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin