Selection and affinities of Cd binding peptides were assayed by phage random dodecapeptide library and affinity chromatography. Two Cd binding peptides were obtained, it was found that the affinities of Cu~ 2+ ,Co~ 2+ ,Zn~ 2+ ,Ni~ 2+ for Cd binding peptides were higher than that of Cd~ 2+ and Cr~ 2+ after detection of the amplified Cd binding peptides displayed phages to different heavy metal-charged resins; the detoxification of E.coli to Ni~ 2+ and Cd~ 2+ was enhanced when infected by Cd binding peptide displayed phages as compared with those of the control. The interaction of Cd binding peptide displayed phages with heavy metals charged resins was also observed under microscope. The work would be of great value and consequences for the study of interaction between heavy metals and proteins(peptides), as well as thedetoxification and bioremediation of heavy metals.

OBJECTIVETo study the status of beta-lactamase produced by multiresistant Aeromonas selected from cirrhosis patients to provide reference for treatment and reduce resistance and control spreading.

METHODSFour multiresistant Aeromonas strains isolated from serious liver cirrhosis patients from the No. 302 hospital. The TEM resistant genes were detected by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSThree TEM-1 positive strains were detected from four multiresistant Aeromonas isolates consisting of one Aeromonas sobria and three Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from blood and ascites. This was further confirmed by gene sequencing. The multiresistance to antibiotics was higher in four Aeromonas isolates. All strains tested were resistant to ampicillin, cefazolin and cefmetazole.The cirrhosis patients who suffered from Aeromonas infection had poor prognosis and had mortality rate of 3/4.

CONCLUSIONThe beta-lactamase TEM-1 resistant genes was detected in clinical multiresistant Aeromonas strain isolated from serious cirrhosis patients.The results suggested that TEM-1 was the main resistance mechanism of Aeromonas strain and was reduced by adding enzyme inhibitor.

Adult ; Aeromonas ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; genetics ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with hepatitis B.

METHODSThe PBL of patients with different types of hepatitis B and healthy individuals were isolated and then the nuclear extract was prepared. Assessment of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was performed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using digoxin labeled double-stranded oligonucleotide containing kappa B consensus sequence.

RESULTSDensitometric scanning of the EMSA bands showed that the mean optical densities (A) from the groups of normal control, acute hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B and chronic severe hepatitis B were 20.18+/-2.16, 27.75+/-4.11, 13.90+/-3.20 and 8.02+/-2.65 respectively. Analysis of variance showed the F value was 26.112 and the difference among the groups was significant. The difference between two groups with Dunnett T3 analysis showed there are statistically difference between the groups of the normal group and the chronic severe hepatitis B group, the acute hepatitis B group and the chronic hepatitis B group, and the acute hepatitis B group and the chronic severe hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONThe activity of NF-kappaB in PBL of patients with hepatitis B is related with the different outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Decreased activity of NF-kappaB may be an important cause for the dysfunction of PBL in chronic HBV-infected patients.

Adult ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; blood

Objective We aimed to assess the association between urinary bisphenol A(BPA)concentrations and gestational age in pregnant women. Methods A total of 248 pregnant women were recruited from a maternal and child care hospital in Shanghai. A questionnaire survey was completed to collect socio-demographic information and spot urine samples were collected during pregnancy. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)was used to measure BPA concentrations in urine samples. Linear relationship between urinary BPA level and gestational age was assessed by using generalized additive models. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate associations of prenatal BPA exposure with gestational age. Results BPA was detected in all the urine samples. Median value and geometric mean of urinary BPA levels were 0.85 μg/L and 1.21 μg/L, respectively. Linear relationship between urinary BPA concentration and gestational weeks was confirmed(non-linear P > 0.05). Positive association between urinary BPA level and gestational age was indicated(regression coefficient, β = 0.19;95%CI:0.04-0.35;P = 0.016). However, it was only observed in girls, stratified by sex of newborns(β = 0.18;95%CI:0.03-0.34;P = 0.020). After stratification by trimester, no significant association was found in the second or the third trimesters. Conclusion Pregnant women are extensively exposed to BPA. Urinary BPA exposure during pregnancy may extend gestational age, especially in girls.

Objective To study the genotype distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli (E.coli) isolates from posthepatitic cirrhosis' patients with bloodstream infection.Methods E.coli were isolated in bloodstream from patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis between January and December in 2011.The strains were identified by VITEK-Ⅱ.The antibiol susceptibility tests were performed with K-B method.β-lactamases genes were detected multi-PCR,PCR,sequence and blast.Results A total of 79 non-duplicate clinical isolates of E coli were consecutively collected from liver cirrhosis' patients with bloodstream infection.There were 20 isolates produced TEM-1 type β-lactamases and 1 isolate produced SHV-1 typeβ-lactamases.40 clinical isolates were detected to produce CTX-M type ESBLs,there were 20 CTX-M-1 group and 26 CTX-M-9 group,including 6 stains habouring both CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-9 group.Eight CTX-M genotypes were confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products,including CTX-M-3,CTX-M-14,CTX-M-15,CTX-M-24,CTX-M-28,CTX-M-31,CTX-M-65 and CTX-M-79.Conclusion CTX-M genotype ESBLs was the most popular extended-spectrum β-lactamases in E.coli isolated from liver cirrhosis' patients with bloodstream infection.The CTX-M-14 is the dominant epidemic type.

OBJECTIVETo study the biological characteristics and find out the optimum condition for germination of seed of Thladiantha dubia Bunge for its standardized culturing.

METHODThe weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture content and seed viability were determined. The biological characteristics were studied and germination conditions of seed of T. dubia were tested under following conditions: different seed soaking time, different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 degrees C) and different irradiation time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 min).

RESULTThe average length, width and thickness of T. Dubia seed were 4.96, 3.25 and 1.08 mm, respectively. The weight per 1 000 seeds was 14.03 g; the seed moisture content was 10.10%; the seed viability was 90.33%. Under the same condition of light, temperature and other factors, the seed germination percentage and germination energy were the highest after seed soaking 24 h. The suitable temperature range of seeds was form 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C. Under different irradiation time, the seed germination percentage and germination energy were the highest after irradiation 10 min. In different germinating beds, the seeds germination percentage and germination energy were the highest on paper (TP), which was 89.33%.

CONCLUSIONThe optimum condition for the germination of the seed of T. dubia is seed soaking 12 h, irradiation 10 min, 25-30 degrees C on filter paper.

Cucurbitaceae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Germination ; radiation effects ; Seeds ; Temperature

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

It has been shown that cell volume regulation mechanisms play important roles in various cell functions. We demonstrated previously that volume-activated chloride channels were involved in cell volume regulation. The present study aimed to clarify the roles of various types of potassium channels in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) induced by hypotonic challenges in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE-2Z cells). The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record hypotonic challenge-induced potassium currents. During current recordings, cells were held at 0 mV and stepped to +/-46 and +/-92 mV, repeatedly. The cell volume was computed from cell diameters. The changes of cell volume were monitored and analyzed by the time-lapse imaging technique. The results showed that the exposure to 160 mOsm/L hypotonic solution caused the cells to swell by (144.5+/-4.2)%, activated a potassium current (59.2 pA/pF+/-13.3 pA/pF at 92 mV), and induced RVD. Cell volume was recovered from hypotonic challenge-induced swelling by (48.9+/-4.6)% after 20 min. The potassium current (at 92 mV) and RVD were inhibited by the calcium-dependent potassium channel blocker, clotrimazole (100 mumol/L), by (98.5+/-2.8)% and (89.3+/-4.9)%, respectively. Depletion of extracellular calcium prevented the activation of the hypotonic challenge-induced potassium current and inhibited the process of RVD. The voltage-gated potassium channel blocker, 4-AP (5 mmol/L), partially inhibited the hypotonic challenge-activated potassium currents by (66.6+/-5.3)% (at 92 mV). These results suggest that the Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channel is the main component of volume-activated potassium channels and plays an important role in volume regulation of CNE-2Z cells. The voltage-gated potassium channels may also contribute in part to the formation of the volume-activated potassium current.
Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Size ; Clotrimazole ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of splenectomy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed in 30 cases with relapsed/refractory AIHA who were treated with splenectomy in our hospital. The pre- and post-operative blood routine indexes and responses were followed up. Results: Among the 30 relapsed/refractory AIHA patients, 20 were pure AIHA (including 13 patients with warm antibody AIHA, 2 with warm-cold double antibody AIHA and 5 with Coombs negative AIHA) and 10 were Evans syndrome. The short-term response was evaluated 10-14 days after operation, and the overall response rate (ORR) of short-term response was 90% [12 cases in complete response (CR), 6 cases in partial response (PR)] in 20 therapeutic evaluable cases. Among 13 patients with long-term follow-up data, except 3 patients with Evans syndrome died (2 cases were refractory to splenectomy, 1 case relapsed after surgery), the ORR of 10 patients with relapsed/refractory pure AIHA at 6 months and 12 months were 90% (9/10) and 70% (7/10), respectively, with a median follow-up of 14 (4-156) months. At the end of follow-up, 3 cases had maintained CR for more than 3 years. Conclusion: The short-term response of splenectomy as a second-line treatment for relapsed/refractory AIHA is satisfactory, and long-term outcome of splenectomy is up to 70% at 1 year. Approximately one-third of patients could maintain sustained remission.
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Splenectomy

BACKGROUNDThe location of facial port-wine stain (PWS) may be helpful for predicting some associated anomalies; high glaucoma incidence is found in patients with eyes close to PWS-affected areas (V1, ophthalmic branch area of the trigeminal nerve). This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of glaucoma in V1-affected PWS.

METHODSA total of 569 patients with V1 area-affected PWS were reviewed in the study. The large series was based on the referral system between the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Ophthalmology. All patients were screened for glaucoma with assessments of intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, corneal diameter (only for infants), and axial length.

RESULTSOf the 569 patients, 110 (19.3%) patients had glaucoma. Among the patients, 18.1% (76/420) had early-onset glaucoma (under 4-year-old group). In the 4 to 18-year-old age group, 29.3% (29/99) of the patients had glaucoma. Compared with right lateral and bilateral PWS, left-sided PWS had a lower risk of glaucoma in this study (odds ratio = 0.432 [95% confidence interval, 0.264-0.706], P = 0.01). The under 4-year-old group showed a slight predominance of males (61.8%) in glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glaucoma incidence was observed in patients with eyes close to PWS. More attention should be paid to glaucoma screening for right lateral and bilateral PWS patients. The predominance of males in Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) early-onset glaucoma patients might be due to the limitation of the case number; however, it might also provide us a new clue of potential relationship between SWS and PCG.