Automation workstation refers to a kind of fully automatic platform,which use the automatic technology to analysis,processe batches of biological samples.It can finish liquid handling,transfering,mixing and other operatious in short time,particularly suitable for PCR templates'preparation of large amount of biological samples.This article mainly discusses the basic patterns,methods and forensic applications of automated DNA extraction workstation,aimed at making the technology more widely applied in forensic DNA analysis.

Objective To investigate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) on the expression of nm23, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and extrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The specimens were collected from resectable HCC in 72 patients. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group, TACE was performed before tumor resection (Group A, n=36). In another group, the tumors were resected directly without preoperative TACE (Group B, n=36). The expression and distribution of nm23, TIMP-2 in the tumor tissue and liver parenchyma in the two groups were compared. All patients were followed up for 24 months,and the incidence of extrahepatic metastasis was compared between the two groups. Chi-square test was applied to compare the expression levels of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2. Results The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of nm23 were 24, 6 and 6 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 6 and 21 cases in group B. Statistical differences were found between the two groups(X~2=15.52, P<0.01). The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of TIMP-2 were 21,3 and 12 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 9 and 18 cases in group B. Statistical differences were demonstrated between them (X~2=9.00, P<0.05). There were 13 cases in group A and 15 cases in group B being diagnosed to have extrahepatic metastasis within 24- month period of follow up, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(X~2= 0.23, P>0.05). Conclusions TACE could enhance the expression of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2 in tumor tissues. Therefore, the potential of metastasis of tumor cells might be prohibited by TACE.

Objective To investigate SNP and distribution of haplotypes in differentially m ethylated region (DMR) upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality in order to provide basic data for forensic application and population genetics research. Methods One hundred and one blood sam ples from unrelat-ed Chinese Korean individuals and 14 blood sam ples from 5 Chinese Korean intergenerational fam ilies which known genetic relationship were collected. The SNP in DMRupstream of H19 gene were investi-gated by PCR-cycle sequencing and McrB Cdigestion followed by PCR . The haplotypes detected by parentally im printed allele (PIA) m ethod and relevant genetic param eters were calculated. Results Thirteen SNPs (rs10840167, rs2525883, rs12417375, rs4930101, rs2525882, rs2735970, rs2735971, rs11042170, rs2735972, rs10732516, rs2071094, rs2107425, and rs4930098) and five haplotypes were detected in 1 174 bp target product in DMRupstream of H19 gene, with 9 SNPs having high discrim ination power as good genetic markers. The average gene diversity (GD) of haplotypes was 0.714. The maternal haplotype was confirm ed correctly by PIAm ethod from McrB C-digested products of genom ic DNA. Conclusion High polym orphism sexist in DMRupstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality. And determ ination of the maternal haplotype could furtherm ore enhance the forensic identification efficiency of im printed gene.

ObjectiveTo investigate the predisposing factors and pathogenic fungal species of Malassezia folliculitis in different geographical areas and body sites.MethodsTotally,241 patients diagnosed with Malassezia folliculitis were asked to complete a questionnaire.The content of hair follicles was obtained and subjected to fungal smear and culture examination.Fungal species were identified according to morphological,physiological and biochemical features.Results Of the 241 patients with Malassezia folliculitis,204 (84.65％) were positive for smear examination.A total of 259 specimens were collected from these patients,and fungal culture grew 213(82.24％) strains,of which,209 belonged to Malassezia species,4(1.54％) to Candida species.Among the 209 Malassezia strains,186 were activated and subjected to species identification which resulted in 6 species,including M.furfur (111 strains,59.68％ ),M.sloofiae (43 strains,23.12％ ),M.sympodialis (17 strains,9.14％),M.globosa (9 strains,4.84％),M.pachydermatis (4 strains,2.15％),and M.obtuse(2 strains,1.08％ ).Of the pathogenic fungi of Malassezia folliculitis,M.furfur predominated in the chest,back,abdomen,face and neck,M.sloofiae in the upper limbs,shoulders and vertex,M.globosa in the lower limbs.There were obvious differences in the distribution of pathogenic fungal species at different body sites in a same host,and M.furfur with M.sloofiae or M.sympodialis appeared to be the most common pathogens.ConclusionsIn this study,6 Malassezia species are identified in patients with Malassezia folliculitis in Nantong and Nanjing area,M.furfur and M.sloofiae appear to be the dominant pathogens.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of adhesion molecules on human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils in co-culture system, assess the effects of puerarin on suppressing these adhesion molecules expressions, and explore the roles of two crucial signal-transduction elements p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in modulating adhesion molecules expressions.

METHODSNeutrophils and BEAS-2B cells (one human bronchial epithelial cell line) were co-cultured, and adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface were detected using flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR). Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSIn co-culture system, adhesion molecules expressions on BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were enhanced significantly (P<0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were also increased greatly. Moreover, the pretreatment of peurarin obviously suppressed adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface. Furthermore, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB in BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were elevated in co-culture system, but decreased significantly after upon the treatment of peurarin (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCoculture boosted the interactions between human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils mimicking airway inflflammation, whereas peurarin decreased the expression of adhesion molecules on cell surface by suppressing the activities of p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, and exhibiting its anti-inflflammation activity.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bronchi ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cattle ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; DNA Primers ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neutrophils ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of different proportions of mixed blood exchange transfusion on blood circulation in neonates with hemolytic disease.Methods Thirty-one newborn infants with hemolytic disease were treated by peripheral arteriovenous synchronization of exchange transfusion with different proportions mixed blood.AB type plasma was mixed with O type red blood cell(RBC) washing.The proportion for the treatment group was 1:1(the O type RBCs 2 U:the AB type plasma 200 mL),by exchange transfusion of haplotypes,in accordance with 80?mL/kg;the proportion for control group was 2:1(the O type RBC 4 U:the AB type plasma 200 mL),by exchange transfusion of double in accordance with 150-180 mL/kg.The indicators were detected,such as the exchange rate of neonatal serum bilirubin,RBC,hemoglobin(Hb),hematocrit(HCT),and the exchange transfusion quantity and days of hospitalization before and after the exchange transfusion were analyzed.Results The exchange rate of serum bilirubin of treatment group and control group was (44.92?3.99)% and (45.69?5.06)%,respectively,there was no significant difference between 2 groups(P=0.639),there was no significant difference of hospitalization days[(8.13?1.13) d vs(8.19?0.91) d]between 2 groups(P=0.884).After exchange transfusion in treatment group,the average level of the RBC,Hb and HCT were increased(P

Objective To understand the current status and relative factors on knowledge, attitude, practice to contraception among college students in Beijing and to provide evidence for developing aimed contraceptive service and education in colleges. Methods Quantitative surveys were employed, questionnaire was conducted anonymously among 12 450 unmarried college students under informed consent. Results Among 12 129 students, acknowledgement of contraceptive knowledge among females was superior to males in college(P=0.000). Rates on the favor for unmarried sexual practice and 'sexual liberation' were 81.9% and 60.2% for males, comparing to 74.8% and 54.3% for females respectively. The prevalence rates for masturbation were 74.3% for males and 24.9% for females respectively. 18.4% of the male and 10.5% of the female students had ever experienced unmarried sexual intercourse. Among those students who had sexual experiences, 29.4% of the males had made their sex partners pregnant and 23.1% of the female students had experienced unexpected pregnancy. Statistical significance was found between males and females (P=0.000) in terms of attitudes and behaviors. 51.3% of the male and female students took contraceptive measures during the episode of first sexual intercourse. The excuses for not taking any measures would include: sexual intercourse happened incidentally, not interested in using condom, only one sexual experience would not cause pregnancy, etc. Conclusion The prevalence of unmarried sexual intercourse among college students had been rising. Among those who had experienced unmarried sexual intercourse, the rate of taking contraceptive measures was low and the incidence of unexpected pregnancy was high. It is urgent to strengthen the education and service programs on contraception among college students.

Objective The main objective of this study is to assess the the effect of simvastatin (sim) on myocardial no-reflow (NR) and explore the possible potential mechanisms. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were randomized into sham group (n = 12 ), L/R (90 min ischemia via coronary ligntion/120 min reperfusion, n = 18) and I/R plus sim group (20 mg · kg-1·d-1 sim pretreated via garage beginning 3 days before I/R, n = 18). After reperfusion, area at risk/area of left ventricular ( RA/LVA), area of NR, determined by the area not perfused by thioflavin-S/area at risk (NA/RA) and area of myocardial infarction/area at risk (MLA/RA) were measured. Myocardium homogenate was used to determine the activity of Enos,Inos and MPO, and the content of NO and MDA. Myocardial immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the positive index of NF-Кb p65 in cardiomyocytes and arteriole. Results The NR and myocardial infarction areas in I/R plus sim group were significantly smaller than those in I/R group (34. 10±7. 05 vs. 52. 09±6. 89, 78. 80±7. 60 vs. 90. 13±5.72, each P <0. 05) while the ischemia area was similar between the 2 groups (P 0. 05). The myocardial activities of Inos and MPO, the contents of NO and MDA were significantly lower while Enos activity was significantly higher in I/R plus sim group than those in I/R group (5. 02±1.64 vs. 9. 19±2. 89, 586. 21±126. 97 vs. 744. 49±137.53, 257.72± 93.43 vs. 384. 10±40. 68, 72. 10±18.56 vs. 111.84±38. 58, 7. 08±1.74 vs. 3.72±0. 98, all P < 0. 05). The positive index of NF-Кb p65 in cardiocytes and arteriole at left ventricular wall near the area of myocardial infarction was significantly lower in I/R plus sim group than that in I/R group (21.59±10. 5 vs. 34. 32±9. 55, 27.27±13.19 vs. 44. 91±15.06, each P < 0. 05). Conclusion Simvastatin could improve myocardial NR after ischemia-reperfusion by attenuating endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation and neutrophil activation.

Autopsy ; China ; epidemiology ; Congenital Abnormalities ; epidemiology ; etiology ; mortality ; Folic Acid ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Survival Rate ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of blueberry extract (BE, 25% anthocyanins) against oxidative damage in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2.

METHODSRat hippocampal neurons were randomly assigned to control group, H2O2 group and BE pretreatment groups, BE at six different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40 microg/ml) and then exposed to 50 micromol/L H2O2 for twenty-four hours. To selecte the most fittest concentration of BE by testing viability of neurons and activity of LDH. Then MDA concentration, SOD activity and neuronal apoptosis were(checked) measured.

RESULTS(1) Compared with H2O2 group, the hippocampal cell viabilities in the 0.1, 1.0 and 10 microg/ml BE groups were significantly increased from 57.44% to 78.42%, 87.71% and 72.40% separately. The activity of LDH in BE groups at varied concentrations (0.1, 1.0 and 10 microg/ml) was significiantly lower than that in H2O2 group. It was found that 1 microg/ml BE had the furthest protective effect against oxidative damage in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2. (2) The concentration of MDA and the rate of neuronal apoptosis of BE group (1 microg/ml) were much lower than H2O2 group, while SOD activity was much higher.

CONCLUSIONProper dose of BE has remarkable protective effect against oxidative stress in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2, the mechanism may be related to decreasing the neuronal apoptosis and enhancing the antioxidation of hippocampal neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Blueberry Plants ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar