Adult ; Altitude ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Health ; Railroads ; Tibet

Objective To develop a multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot(mPCR/RLB) hybridization assay to detect,simultaneously,seven genes encoding AR-erm(A/TR),erm(B),mef(A/ E),tet(M),tet(O),aphA-3,aad-6 and two AR-related genes,int-Tn and mreA in group B streptococcus.Methods Nine pairs of specific primers and Oligonucleotide probes targeting erm(A/TR), erm(B),mef(A/E),tet(M),tet(O),aphA-3,aad-6 int-Tn and mreA respectively were modified according to former studies or designed in this study.The primers and probes were labeled with biotin and amino,respectively.The nine genes were amplified simultaneously in the same tube.PCR product hybridized with the probes labeled in the BiodyneC nylon membrane to detect the nine genes.To detect the sensitivity and specificity of the method developed,PCR with single pair of primer targeting each gene were tested in 318 isolates tested and the results were compared with the one abtained by RLB.Results The nine resistance-related genes could be successfully detected by mPCR/RLB assay developed in this study.Based on sequencing,21 of 22 isolates with mef had mef(E)and eight of 353 with int-Tn had an atypical sequence.Except for the above 29 genes,all the others corresponded well with the results obtained by single pair primer PCR.Conclusion The mPCR/RLB assay developed in this study is simple,rapid and suitable for surveillance of antibiotic resistance in GBS.

Objective To examine the possibility that a candidate causal species of the skin and lung tumor promotion induced by exposure to dimethylarsinic acid(DMAv)and dimethylarsinous acid(DMAⅢ),caused by the induction of oxidative stress in mice.Methods Two stages lung tumotigensis animal model induced by lung tumor initiator(4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide,4NQO)and promoter(DMAv)in ddY mice,was used to examine the effect of(-)epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)on DMAv promoting lung tumorigenesis.Two stages skin tumorigenesis animal model induced by skin tumor initiator[dimethylbenz(α)anthracene,DMBA]and promoter(DMAⅢ)in hairless mice.was used to examine the effects of DMAⅢ in skin tumorigenesis and histopathology.The goxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)in lung and epidermis were analyzed by HPLC.Results The incidence of lung tumors and 8-oxodG level of lung tissue decreased significantly in 4NQO+DMAv+EGCG group.compared with 4NQO+DMAv group (0.89±0.30 vs 4.00±0.82,1.21±0.09 vs 1.53±0.32,P＜0.01).The incidence of severe keratosis in DMBA+ DMIⅢ group was more than that in DMBA group(25 vs 10,P＜0.05).An significant elevation of 8-oxodG in epidermis was observed in 0.5 h[(1.67±0.17)/105 dG],1.0 h[(1.62±012)/105 dG],2.0 h[(1.66±023)/105dG], 3.0 h[(1.60±0.15)/105 dG],compared with 0 h[(1.25±0.11)/105 dG],being significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion tumor promotion due to DMAv administration is mediated by DMAⅢ through the induction of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Arsenites ; therapeutic use ; Catheter Ablation ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Male ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo observe monocyte (Mo) development in wild type C57BL/6 mice and apoE gene knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, and to evaluate the immuno-regulatory effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on peripheral Mo development in apoE(-/-) mice.

METHODSFour, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice were set up as control groups of different ages, while 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female apoE(-/-) mice were set up as hyperlipidemia groups of different ages. Four-week old female C57BL/6 mice were recruited as a blank group. Four-week old female apoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into the control group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group by paired comparison, 5 in each group. Equivalent clinical dose was administered to mice according to body weight. Mice in the Western medicine group were administered with Atrovastatin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the Chinese medicine group were administered with HJD at the daily dose of 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Body weight was detected each week. After 4 weeks blood lipids levels (such as TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), and the proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with 4-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC and TG, and the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype increased, but the proportion of Mo de- creased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P <0. 05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 8-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with C57BL/6 mice of the same age, TC and TG increased, HDL-C decreased (P < 0.01) in 4-and 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.01); levels of TC, TG, LDL-C increased, and HDL-C level decreased in 12- and 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the proportion of Mo increased in 4-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but HDL-C level decreased (P <0. 01) in the control group after intervention. Compared with the control group, body weight gained less in the Western medicine group and the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05); the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype decreased in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn development process blood lipids levels in apoE(-/-) mice are not only associated with age. Blood lipids levels induced growth changes in natural immune system are also correlated with age. In early stage of lipids development HJD intervention could correct this special immune disorder in apoE(-/-) mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; physiology

Objective:To improve the genetic stability of HBV gene in transgenic mice.Methods:HBV transgenic mice were bred by backcross and double cross.The HBV gene expression and replication were studied with real-time PCR,ELISA and chemiluminescence.Results:The HBV transgenic mice have stably bred to 23rd generation.The serum HBsAg level is 4122.31?2044.74IU/ml;The rate of HBV transgenic mice whose serum HBV DNA reach 104~106copies/ml was 93.93%.The HBV replication and expression were improved markedly.There is no difference between male and female mice about serum HBsAg level.Conclusion:After breeding the HBV gene was expressed stably with high-level in transgenic mice.

To examine the feasibility of low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) in treating geriatric major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Bi-temporal LCEs (approximately 25 mC) were performed with an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) instrument three times per week. We used the Hamilton Depression Scale 17 (HAMD-17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) to assess the effects of LCE and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to evaluate the cognitive function change before and after LCE. Six visits occurred at the baseline, after LCE sessions 3, 6, and 9, after the last session, and at the end of the one-month follow-up period. Four patients were enrolled in the study. Two patients completed all LCE sessions. Two patients withdrew during the trial, one due to the adverse event of uroschesis potentially caused by atropine and the other due to her own will. All four patients completed the follow-up sessions. The HAMD-17 and HAMA scores were reduced significantly at the last LCE session and the end of the follow-up period compared with the scores at the baseline. As measured by the MMSE, cognitive impairment showed no significant changes at the last LCE session and the end of the follow-up period compared with that at the baseline. In this case series, LCE showed potential as an alternative current-based treatment for treating geriatric MDD patients. Further research is needed to assess the efficiency and safety of LCE.
Anxiety ; Atropine ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Electroconvulsive Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study on the prevalence of body overweight and obesity in China and its distribution in age, sex and economic development status.

METHODSA total of 209,849 in all ages from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNAHS) database were analyzed. The year 2000 population census data was used for age standardization. 1978 WHO criteria using Z scores was applied to age 0-7 years, criteria recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China was applied to those aged 7-17 years and criteria in the Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Adults was applied to those aged 18 years and above.

RESULTSThe overall prevalence was 17.6% for overweight and 5.6% for obesity. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.2%. The prevalence of overweight was 25.0%, 21.6%, 17.4%, 15.1%, 19.2% and 12.8%, respectively for large city, middle-and-small city, class 1 rural, class 2 rural, class 3 rural and class 4 rural. For obesity, the rate was 10.6%, 7.2%, 6.4%, 4.3%, 6.0% and 2.7%, respectively for large city, middle-and-small city, class 1 rural, class 2 rural, class 3 rural and class 4 rural. By age groups, the prevalence of overweight was 3.4% in children age 0-6, 4.5% in adolescents age 7-17, 22.8% in adults age 18 and above; the prevalence of obesity was 2.0% in children age 0-6, 2.7% in adolescents age 7-17, 7.1% in adults age 18 and above. The sex difference in overweight and obesity differed between urban and rural, and among age groups.

CONCLUSIONOverweight and obesity should have affected nearly 1 quarter of the country's total population, and became a threatening hazard to resident's health. As the urbanization progress, obesity might doubly increase. Prevention and control of this hazard should be urgently needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of SDF-1 mRNA in SDF-1 cDNA-modified human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) before and after transfection. The hBMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified, the SDF-1-pIRES2-EGFP eukaryotic expressing vector was constructed, and then the hBMSCs were transfected with the vector encapsulated by lipofectamine 2000. The transfection efficiency was measured by observing the expression of green fluorescence protein and detecting the mRNA by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the expression of SDF-1 mRNA increased by about 20% after hBMSCs were transfected instantaneously by SDF-1-pIRES2-EGFP. It is concluded that SDF-1 cDNA eukaryotic expression vector can be instantly transfected into hBMSCs by lipofectamine 2000, but the efficiency was too low to obtain enough steady transferred hBMSCs. Other procedures should be trialed to improve the transfection efficiency.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine in treating posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (PCIV) due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.Method Sixty-two patients with PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 31 cases each. The two groups both received intravenous infusion of Vinpocetine injection, based on which, the treatment group was intervened by injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine, while the control group was given gluteal intramuscular injection of Promethazine. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were observed for the two groups before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result The TCM syndrome and DHI scores were significant changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the TCM syndrome and DHI scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.5％ in the treatment group versus 80.6％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine is an effective method in treating PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.