Microarray technology, used in microorganisms detection with its advantages of rapid detection, high sensitivity, high-throughput and low cost, has been applied in environmental microbial community research widely in past few years. It focuses on investigation of structure, diversity, function, dynamics of microbial populations within complex environmental samples. Furthermore, it also reveals their responses and adaptation to environmental perturbations such as climate change, toxic contaminants. According probe design patterns, several types of microarrays, such as phylogenetic oligonucleotide arrays (POAs), functional gene arrays (FGAs), metagenomic array(MGA) and community genome arrays (CGAs) have been constructed for environmental studies. This review discusses applications of microarrays to environmental microbial populations research along with its potential for screening of specific microorganisms, gene or expression functional gene representing different environmental microbial populations.

Objective To observe the effects of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets on expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 of vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); To discuss it possible mechanism of action. Methods Totally 24 12-week old male SHR were randomly divided into SHR model group, Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets group, and positive medicine group, with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 WKY rats were set as normal control group. Medication groups were given relevant medicine for gavage for successive 6 weeks. Noninvasive tail cuff method was used to observe blood pressure; morphological changes in thoracic aorta and renal artery were observed by HE staining; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall. Results Protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall of SHR model group were significantly higher than those of normal control group (P<0.01); Compared with the SHR model group, protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall decreased significantly in the medication groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); Compared the Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets group and positive medicine group, there was no obvious difference in protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall. Conclusion Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets can reduce the blood pressure of SHR, reduce inflammation reaction, and regulate vascular remodeling, which mechanism may be related to down-regulation of expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in SHR aortic endothelial cells.

Accidents, Occupational ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aniline Compounds ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans

Objective To compare the expression changes of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor Y1 in different stages of osteoblast differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).Methods The rBMSCs were isolated in vitro from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using whole bone marrow adherence method and cultured. Then, the rBMSCs were divided into osteoblast-induced group and noninduced group. In different periods of culture at 1, 2 and 3 weeks, identification of the osteoblasts was performed by using immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Expressions of mRNA and protein of Y1 receptor were detected by real time reserve transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Results RT-PCR demonstrated that osteoblast-induced group had a lower expression of Y1 receptor than non-induced group at the same time point and the expression of Y1 receptor was increased in a time-dependent manner in both groups. Western blot demonstrated higher expression of Y1 receptor in osteoblast-induced group compared with non-induced group at the same time point and a decreased expression of Y1 receptor in a time-dependent manner in both groups. Conclusions During the process of osteoblastic differentiation of rat BMSCs, the expressions of mRNA and protein of NPY Y1 receptor show different trends, when NPY may mediate the inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs through Y1 receptor pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) on proliferation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods The rBMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherence method. In the different periods of culturing (1, 2,and 3 weeks), expressions of the neuropeptide receptors were detected by Western Blot and reserve transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The BMSCs were treated with CGRP and SP at concentration 10-8 mol/L at different time (1,3,5,7,9 days), cell proliferation was detected with MTT assay, the protein expressions of cyclin D1 ,cyclin E and p53 were examined using Western Blot. Results The CGRP receptor and SP receptor were expressed in BMSCs. The expression of CGRP receptor was statistically higher than that of SP receptorat the same time point. The growth curves of BMSCs cultured by both neuropeptides had similar appearance. CGRP and SP stimulated the proliferation of BMSCs significantly at 9 days and 7 and 9 days. In this process, the expressions of cyclinDl and cyclinE were up-regulated by CGRP, SP only enhanced the expression of cyclinE; these effects all reached a peak at 5 days. The expression of p53 was down-regulated by both neuropeptides. Conclusion CGRP and SP had direct effects on the proliferation of BMSCs, the regulation of cell cycle proteins is one of the mechanisms.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) is one of the most important pathogens in infants and young children with acute respiratory infections and other diseases. This article reviews the literature on HAdV, including its molecular biological characteristics, detection and typing, and pathogenic mechanism, the clinical features and epidemiological characteristics of HAdV-related diseases, and the prevention and control of HAdV infections. So far, 67 types of HAdV have been identified, including recombinant variants discovered in recent years. The major epidemic strains that cause acute respiratory infections are HAdV-3 and HAdV-7, both of which belong to the subgroup B. HAdV often leads to acute respiratory infections, but it also causes diseases of other systems. HAdV-related diseases have similar clinical manifestations as those caused by other respiratory viruses, but often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. The pathogenic mechanism of HAdV remains unclear, especially for the new recombinant variants, due to few studies on their association with diseases. Because there are no prospective, large randomized controlled trials of HAdV infections, the treatment of HAdV infections is controversial. Vaccine is the most effective measure to reduce respiratory HAdV infections, but it is still not commercially available.
Adenovirus Infections, Human ; virology ; Adenoviruses, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Animals ; Humans

Objective:To investigate frequencies of microsatellite instability(MSI)and loss of heterozygosity(LOH)in renal ceil carcinoma(RCC),and to discuss the relationship of clinicopathological characteristics of RCC with MSI and LOH. Methods:Twelve microsatellite markers located at chromosomes 3p,9p and 14q were selected to investigate microsatellite alterations(MSI and LOH)in 31 RCC specimens and their paired metastasis specimens by polymerase chain reaction- polyacrylamide gel elect rophoresis-ethylene dibromide(PCR-PAGE-EB)staining and sequencing.Results:The frequency of MSI could reached 61.3% and that of LOH could reach 54.8%.The highest frequency of MSI was at locus of D9S168(32.3%);the highest frequency of LOH was at locus of D3S1289(21.4%).No correlation was found between MSI or LOH and the patients' age,sex,pathology type and metastastis,except that MSI was correlated with TNM stage of RCC(P

Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

BACKGROUNDPostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common clinical problem in children and adolescents. The previous diagnostic approach to POTS of children and adolescents is based on a series of tests to exclude all other causes, which is time and medical resource consuming. Recently, a new diagnostic approach has been developed. The present study was designed to statistically analyze the results of clinical investigation items and the cost for the diagnosis of POTS in children patients, and evaluate cost changes in the diagnosis of POTS.

METHODSA total of 315 children patients were divided into two groups according to diagnosis period, including group I diagnosed in 2002 - 2006 (100 cases) and group II in 2007 - 2010 (215 cases) and the diagnostic item-based distribution of the cost was analyzed. The diagnostic costs were compared between two groups using SPSS17.0.

RESULTSThe per-capita cost of diagnosis in group I was (621.95 ± 21.10) Yuan, costs of diagnostic tests (head-up tilt test, standing test, etc) accounted for 8.68% and the exclusive tests for 91.32%. The per-capita cost of diagnosis in group II was (542.69 ± 23.14) Yuan, diagnostic tests accounted for 10.50% and exclusive tests for 89.50%. Comparison of the total cost of diagnostic tests between the two groups showed significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cost of POTS diagnosis has been declined in recent years, but the cost of exclusive diagnosis is still its major part.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; economics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ; diagnosis ; economics ; Public Health ; economics

BackgroundWith the increasing prevalence of dry eye and the continuous improvement of living standards,the problem of dry eye more and more get the attention of people.At present,China still lacks the large population-based epidemiological data of dry eye. Objective To investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of dry eye in a community of Huidong County of population aged 14 and over.Methods From September 2010 to January 2011,using questionnaires and examination of dry eye related,2800 people were selected randomly for cross-sectional survey.Those suspected as dry eye were examed by the SchirmerⅠtest ( S Ⅱ T),tear-film breakup time(BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(F1).Results In the 2475 questionnaire effectively,154 persons were diagnosed as dry eye,and the prevalence rate of dry eye was 6.22％,8.06％in females,4.14％in males.The prevalence rate increases with age.The S Ⅰ T and BUT decreased with increasing age.S Ⅰ T and BUT in females are less than males.Foreign body sensation is the primary complaints of patients.Logistic analysis showed that the most common risk factors in dry eye are age and gender.The system disease and eye diseases,eye fatigue and long exposure to dust are also main determinants.ConclusionsThe population prevalence rate of dry eye increased with age,the prevalence rate of dry eye in females is higher than that in males.The key factors associated with dry eye are age,gender,systemic disease and eye diseases,occupation,working environment.