Objective Schistasoma japonicum(S.japonicum)lysophospholipase gene(Sjl539)from cDNA of S japonicum adult worms was amplified and subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)for expression of recombinant antigen and immunogenicity analysis.Methods Total RNA of S.japonicum was extracted to generato cDNA by RT-PCR.The Sj1539 gent was amplified.The DNA fragment was subcloned into eukaryofic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)following insertion and amplification in pGEM-T.The recombinant plasmid was transfected into human cervical carcinoma cell strain(Hela cells)and expression products were identified by Western blotting.Results The size of PCR product was approximately 684 bp.It was confirmed that Sj1539 gene had been inserted successfully by the recombinant plasmid digested with two enzymes and PCR.It was verified that the expression product could react with S.japonicum-infected rabbit serum by Western blotting and the molecular weight was approximately 25×103.Conclusions The eukaryotie expression vector carrying Sj1539 gene has been established and the expression product has been obtained.

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and pathological classifi cation of appendicitis with pathological results.MethodsThe study included 111 cases who confi rmed by surgery and pathology in the Six Affi liated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June2012 to December 2013. The image characteristics of ultrasonic images performed before surgery were analyzed retrospectively. The cases were divided into five groups based on the pathology: 6 acute simple appendicitis, 45 acute suppurative appendicitis, 15 acute gangrenous appendicitis, 33 chronic appendicitis, and 12 acute attack of chronic appendicitis. The length, width and wall thickness of the appendicitis measured by preoperative ultrasound between various pathological type were compared with Kruskal-Wallis statistical methord, and also used the same method to compared the one which had statistically signifi cance between the fi ve groups. As in the above case, Fisher Exact Test was used to compare the characters′ of ultrasonography included gradations of the appendix, the tube cavity expansion, stercorolith, the appendiceal abscess, mergering lymph node enlargement and the appendix around effusion, if there was statistically signifi cance, the same methord was used to the further comparison between thefi ve groups.ResultsTotally 90 of 111 cases of were reminded appendicitis by preoperative ultrasound, the diagnostic accuracy rate was 81.08%, including acute suppurative appendicitis 91.11% (41/45), acute gangrenous appendicitis 93.33% (14/15), acute simple appendicitis 83.33% (5/6), chronic appendicitis 60.61% (20/33), chronic appendicitis onset acute 83.33% (10/12). There were no statistical differences of preoperative ultrasound measured between various pathological type of appendicitis in length, while the appendix width measured by preoperative ultrasound of acute gangrenous appendicitis was wider than the acute simple group and chronic group, and there were statistically signifi cance between them (P<0.05), in the aspect of wall thickness, the acute suppurative appendicitis and the acute gangrenous appendicitis groups were thicker than the chronic group, and these differences had statistically signifi cance (P<0.05). The stercorolith, lymph node enlargement and the appendiceal abscess in different types of appendicitis had no statistical difference. There were statistically differences (P<0.05) between the acute suppurative goup, acute gangrenous group and the chronic group respectively, both in gradations of the appendix and the tube cavity expansion. Also there were statistically difference (P<0.05) between the acute gangrenous appendicitis group and the chronic group in the aspect of the appendix around effusion.ConclusionsUltrasound is valuable in the diagnosis of appendicitis, especially for acute gangrenous appendicitis and acute purulent appendicitis. The measurement of appendix with wide diameter, wall thickness by ultrasond preoperatively, and the characteristics of the wall layers, lumen expansion degree and the appendix around effusion are valuable in identifying chronic appendicitis, acute suppurative appendicitis, and acute gangrene appendicitis; The ultrasonic measurement of appendix wide diameter could identify acute gangrenous appendicitis and acute simple appendicitis. Ultrasound had limited value in identifying acute suppurative, acute gangrenous appendicitis, acute simple appendicitis, chronic appendicitis, and chronic appendicitis onset acute.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on mineralization potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC).

METHODSRat DPSC were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into three groups, IL-1β (10 µg/L), osteogenic inductive medium and non-osteogenic inductive medium. After 3, 7, and 12 days of treatment, the cultures were evaluated for cell proliferation and calcium deposit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the gene expression levels of osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1). In vivo test, after 3 day's treatment with IL-1β, the cell-scaffold complexes were implanted subcutaneously in mice for 8 weeks. Histological analysis was performed to evaluate hard tissue formation.

RESULTSIn vitro test, after 3-day's treatment, IL-1β improved cell proliferation to 137.22 DNA µg/L and cell viability becomes (97.12 ± 7.18)% of control. The gene expression levels of OC, BSP, DSPP and DMP-1 are (378.19 ± 16.22)%, (427.12 ± 18.22)%, (247.19 ± 10.11)% and (198.29 ± 10.23)% respectively. The results of IL-1β's group was notable increased compared with non-osteogenic induction medium and the statistical differences are significant. IL-1β induced the odontogenic differentiation of DPSC. However, these effects tended to continuously decrease with treatment time. Histological analysis demonstrated that in the group treated with IL-1β hard tissue was markedly formed in vivo.

CONCLUSIONSIL-1β may induce the mineralization of DPSC and play an important role in host defenses and tissue repair.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sialoglycoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the vulnerability to floods in Guangdong province at district level.

METHODSData were collected from the sixth census, the 2010 Statistical Yearbook of Guangdong, the 2010 Health Statistics Yearbook of Guangdong and China Disease Prevention and Control information systems, etc. The weight of each indicator was determined based on subjective method and objective method respectively; and finally the results of the two methods were compared.

RESULTS13 indicators were selected for the assessment of vulnerability to floods, including 6 sensitivity indicators, 5 adaptability indicators and 2 exposure indicators. Indicators with large weight (subjective weight/objective weight) were the proportion of population older than 65 years old (0.31/0.30), the proportion of population older than 65 years old (0.16/0.23), infant mortality rate (0.18/0.20), the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita (0.33/0.21), the proportion of illiterate in the population older than 15 years old (0.19/0.28), history frequency of floods (0.75/0.75). The mean vulnerability index (VI) calculated by subjective method was 0.35 with the standard deviation of 0.10; the mean vulnerability index calculated by objective method was 0.31 with the standard deviation of 0.08. The two weighting methods showed consistent results of vulnerability index (ICC = 0.975, P < 0.01). VI of most districts dropped in the interval of 0.30 - 0.39. Districts with subjective VI > 0.50 or objective VI > 0.40 should pay more attention to floods, including parts of the coastal areas, Beijiang River Basin, the eastern tributary area of Dongjiang River and the northern part of Pearl River Delta. Dapu district of Meizhou (0.55/0.45), Dianbai district and Maogang district of Maoming (0.54/0.48) were most vulnerable. Districts of Heyuan, Dongguan, Zhaoqing and Huizhou were less vulnerable, Yuancheng district of Heyuan showed least vulnerable to floods (0.15/0.12) followed by Dongguan (0.18/0.16), Duanzhou district (0.18/0.16) and Guangning (0.17/0.15) district of Zhaoqing. The score of indicators differed among different level of vulnerability (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDifferent regions of Guangdong province showed different vulnerability to floods, vulnerable areas should be priority in the prevention and control of floods.

China ; Climate ; Demography ; Disasters ; Floods ; Humans ; Risk Assessment ; Rivers

OBJECTIVETo evoke more effective humoral and cell-mediated immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODSHBsAg-primed mice were boosted with HBs-DNA vaccine, and HBs-DNA-primed mice were boosted with HBsAg vaccine. Anti-HBs level was assayed by ELISA and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was tested by lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing method two weeks after the boosted immunization.

RESULTSAnti-HBs level and CTL responsive rate at the effector/target cell ratio of 100:1 were 0.38 and 36% in HBsAg/HBs-DNA vaccination group, 0.32 and 27% in HBs-DNA/HBsAg vaccination group, 0.48 and 1.5% in HBsAg/HBsAg vaccination group, 0.24 and 68% in HBs-DNA/HBs-DNA vaccination group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPriming with HBs-DNA vaccine followed by boosting with conventional HBsAg vaccine results in greater antibody response (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), and CTL response after HBsAg vaccination can be improved by boosting with HBs-DNA vaccine (F = 165.59, P < 0.05). It brings to better efficacy by combining HBsAg vaccine with HBs-DNA vaccine.

Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; biosynthesis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Immunity, Cellular ; Mice ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology

To analyze the constituents in supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE-CO2) of Radix caulophylli, the Radix caulophylli was extracted with SFE-CO2, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis with a DB-5MS capillary column (30 mm x 0.32 mm ID, 0.25 microm film thickness) was used. The inlet temperature was maintained at 280 degrees C. The column oven was held at 80 degrees C for 2 min, then programmed from 80 to 280 degrees C at 5 degrees C x min(-1) and, finally, held for 4 min. Helium at a constant flow rate of 2.0 mL x min(-1) was used as the carrier gas. The mass spectrometry conditions were as follows: ionization energy, 70 eV; ion source temperature, 200 degrees C. The mass selective detector was operated in the TIC mode (m/z was from 40 - 500). For the first time 49 peaks were separated and identified, the compounds were quantitatively determined by normalization method, and the identified compounds represent 97.44% of total GC peak areas. Viz, n-hexadecanoic acid (31.4%), (E, E) -9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (26.54%), (Z)-7-tetradecenal (9.4%), hexadecenoic acid (3.23%), 10-undecenal (3.22%), octadecanoic acid (2.25%), and caulophylline (1.76%) etc. The results will provide important foundation for understanding the constituents and further exploitation of Radix caulophylli.
Carbon Dioxide ; Caulophyllum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Linoleic Acid ; analysis ; Palmitic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs in macrophage-rich areas of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and contributes to macrophage apoptosis and subsequent plaque necrosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) on ER stress-induced apoptosis in cultured macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 cells were incubated with thapsigargin (TG) to establish ER stress model. And Cav-1 expression was detected by Western blot. After being pretreated with filipin(III), a caveolae inhibitor, RAW264.7 cells were assayed with flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy to detect cell apoptosis. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression were detected with Western blot. The results showed that Cav-1 expression was markedly increased at early stage of TG treatment (P < 0.05) and then decreased with prolonged or high dose TG treatments. The increasing of Cav-1 expression induced by TG in RAW264.7 cells was abolished under inhibition of caveolae by filipin(III) (P < 0.05). The effect of TG on apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells was further augmented after pretreatment with filipin(III) (P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that MAPK phosphorylation induced by TG was inhibited by filipin(III) in RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05), whereas CHOP remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These results suggest that Cav-1 may play a critical role in suppressing ER stress-induced macrophages apoptosis in vitro, and one of the mechanisms may be correlated with the activation of p38 MAPK prosurvival pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caveolin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Filipin ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Thapsigargin ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical curative effects of open surgery (OS) or endovascular repair (EVAR) for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in China.

DATA SOURCESWe performed a comprehensive search of both English and Chinese literatures involving case studies on retrograde OS or EVAR of AAA in China from January 1976 to December 2010.

STUDY SELECTIONAccording to the inclusion criteria, 76 articles were finally analyzed to compare patient characteristics, clinical success, complications, and prognosis.

RESULTSWe analyzed a total of 2862 patients with 1757 undergoing OS (OS group) and 1105 undergoing EVAR (EVAR group). There was no significant difference in the success rate of the procedures. Operative time, length of ICU stay, fasting time, duration of total postoperative stay, blood loss, and blood transfusion requirements during the procedure were significantly lower in the EVAR group. A 30-day follow up revealed more cardiac, renal, pulmonary, and visceral complications in the OS group (P < 0.01). Low-limb ischemia, however, was more common in the EVAR group (P < 0.05). The 30-day mortality rate, including aorta-related and non-aorta related mortality, was significantly lower in the EVAR group (P < 0.01). In the follow-up period, there were more patients with occlusions of artificial vessel and late endoleak in the EVAR group (P < 0.01). The overall late mortality rate was higher in the OS group (P < 0.01), especially non-aorta-related late mortality and mortality during the fourth to the sixth year (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEVAR was safer and less invasive for AAA patients. Patients suffered fewer complications and recovered sooner. However, complications such as artificial vessel occlusion, low-limb ischemia, and endoleak were common in EVAR. Clinicians should carry out further research to solve these complications and improve the efficacy of EVAR.

Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; China ; Endovascular Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo estimate the effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine in elderly population.

METHODSAn quasi-experimental study was used. 590 elderly people who volunteered to receive the influenza vaccine were served as vaccine group, while 602 persons who did not want to receive the inoculation but could match the vaccine group were served as controls. One baseline and three follow-up surveys were carried out.

RESULTSThe protective rates of influenza like ill (ILI) as 52.38%, 36.84% and 37.89% with the decreasing rates of visits to ILI clinic as 45.16%, 50.54% and 50.54% were found after 1 month, 3 month and 6 month of inoculation of influenza vaccine; The protective rates of common cold, other respiratory tract or chronic disease were 49.54%, 64.54%, and 38.82%, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was 4.98:1 in elderly population.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza vaccination could decrease ILI incidence and recurrence rates of related chronic diseases on elderly population to provide better economic benefits for the elderly.

Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; economics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVETo assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of methylphenidate immediate-release tablets (IR-MPH), methylphenidate controlled release tablets (OROS-MPH) and atomoxetine (AHC) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Chinese children.

METHODSRandomized or clinical controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of IR-MPH, OROS-MPH and AHC for ADHD were searched in electronic databases of CNKI, VIP, CBMDISC online, PubMed, Embase and MEDLINE. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of the included literatures.

RESULTSEight trials were finally included. IR-MPH, OROS-MPH and AHC were effective for ADHD. OROS-MPH was superior to IR-MPH in the improvement of peer relationship, CGI-I score, mother satisfaction and psychosomatic problems. There were no significant differences in the effectiveness between the AHC and IR-MPH groups. The adverse events related to the therapy with IR-MPH, OROS-MPH or AHC were mild and the incidence rates of adverse events were not significantly different among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe effectiveness of OROS-MPH for the treatment of ADHD is probably superior to IR-MPH, and the effectiveness between AHC and IR-MPH is similar. The three drugs demonstrate the safety and well tolerance.

Atomoxetine Hydrochloride ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Humans ; Methylphenidate ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Propylamines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Tablets