Objective To investigate the effect of astragaloside,one of the active components of astragalus membranaceus,on myocardial nerve growth factor(NGF)expression in murine myocarditis model with coxsackievirus B(CVB_3).Methods One hundred Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups.Group A [n=10,treated with carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) 0.1 mL,ig,for 1 week] were served as normal controls group and group B(n=10,treated with 9% astragaloside 0.1 mL,ig,for 1 week)as high-dose control.Eighty infected mice treated with CMC and 1%,3%,9% astragaloside 0.1 mL,ig,for 1 week (n=20 in each group)were served as group C(myocarditic control group),D(low-dose intervention group),E(middle-dose intervention group),F(high-dose intervention group),respectively.The mice were killed and their hearts were removed after 14 days.The expression levels of NGF mRNA and protein in the myocardium were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results The mortality was significantly reduced in 9% astragaloside treated infected mice that was 10%(2/20)vs 45%(9/20)in group C(P

A highly phytase-producing strain B.licheniformis LL8 was obtained by several mutagenesis of UV with B.licheniformis as starting strain.The new strain produced about two folds of phytase activity as compared with the starting strain. The production performance of the strain was stable. The cultivation conditions were optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiment. When the mutant B.licheniformis LL8 was cultivated at 55℃, initial pH 7.5 with the inoculation size of 10% for 30h in WBE medUm, the phytase activity was up to 2268.4U/mL.

·AIM: To investigate the effect of the dipeptide Arg-Glnon retinal neovascularization of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) in the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) animalmodel.·METHODS.- Forty-eight 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 750mL/L oxygen for 5 days and then to normal situation to produce the murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). All mice received twice daily intra- peritoneal injections of PBS or the dipeptide Arg-Gln(1.0, 3.0, 5.0g/kg per day), starting on postnatal day 12 and continuing till postnatal day 17. Experimental groups (36 mice, 12 in each group) received Arg-Gln, while the control group (12 mice) received PBS. All mice were executed at postnatal day 17. The changes of retinal vessels of mice were observed by ADPase histochemical technique and HE staining was used to count preretinal neovascular nuclei. RNA was isolated from retinas of 28 mice (7 in each group) selected at random and VEGF mRNA level of each group was measured by real-time RT-PCR.·RESULTS; Neovascularization reduced in retinas of the dipeptide Arg-Gln treated group in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with control group, experimental group had diminished non-perfusion area and neovascular tufts in retinal flatmount. The number of the endo-theliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous was significantly less in the eyes of the experimental group than in control group. Arg-Gln at 5g/kg per day reduced preretinal neovascularization by about 75% (P＜ 0.01). There was a significant reduction in VEGF mRNA at the 17th day in Arg-Gln treated group compared with control group(P＜0.01).·CONCLUSION; Arg-Gln dramatically inhibits retinal angiogenesis in OIR and this effect is associated with a reduction in retinal VEGF mRNA level. It appears to be a safe way to prevent and treat some neovascular retinal diseases including retinopathy of prematurity.

The development of printing ink is a challenge for binder jetting 3D printed preparations, which directly determines the quality of the printed product. This study adopted a 2³ full-factor Design of Experiment (DoE) with three central points to optimize the printing ink composition of levetiracetam 3D printed dispersible tablet based on the concept of Quality by Design. Firstly, using polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30, glycerin and polysorbate 20 as independent variables based on 40% (v/v) isopropanol aqueous solution, and weight variation, hardness, friability and dispersion uniformity of the printed tablets were used as dependent variables. Then obtained the design space of the printing ink prescription by DoE model analysis, and the response optimizer was used to obtain the optimal printing ink prescription: isopropanol aqueous solution containing 0.1% (w/w) polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 and 4.0% (w/w) glycerin. The jetting mechanism and wettability of the printing ink were analyzed, and different strengths of personalized 3D printed tablets were prepared and characterized, which verified the rationality of the printing ink formulation. This study provided a reference for the development of printing ink for binder jetting 3D printed preparations.

Objective To investigate the pathogenicity of transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) infection and assess the effect of genciclovir on TTV.Methods Serum TTV-DNA from 968 neonates was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction technique and electropherosis. Alanine aminotrans ferase (ALT) and direct bilirubin (DB) were assayed in neonates with positive TTV-DNA.Genciclovir[10 mg/(kg?d)]was used to treat neonates with TTV-induced hepatitis.Results Among 968 neonates, 38 had positive TTV-DNA (4.0%). All neonates with positive TTV-DNA had normal serum levels of ALT and DB [(24.8?12.0) U/L and (17.6?6.8) ?mo l/L] 3 days after birth;But an elevated ALT and DB level [(95.5?16.4) U/L and (58.2?10.4) ?mol/L] occurred in 15 of them 2 weeks after birth,and were diagnosed as TTV-induced hepatitis.These patients had hypersomnia,jaundice and anorexia. Serum ALT and DB levels recovered to normal range one week after genciclovir therapy in 11 patients,so did the other 4 patients after 2 weeks therapy with genciclovir. Serum TTV-DNAs in all patients became negative 2 weeks after genciclovir therapy.Conclusion TTV infection exists in the neonates, and may be one of important causes of neonatal hepatitis.genciclovir might have a good anti-TTV effect.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Meningioma ; complications ; pathology ; Metaplasia ; complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of the gene polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 2 ( TLR2) and TLR4 with the susceptibility and recurrence of condyloma acuminatum (CA).

METHODSUsing Snapshot, we detected the gene polymorphisms of TLR2 597(T/C), 1350(T/C), 15607(A/G), and 2258(G/A) and TLR4 896(A/G) and 1196(C/T) in the peripheral blood of 140 CA patients and 105 HPV-negative controls. We made comparisons between the CA patients and controls as well as between the cases of recurrent CA and those of non-recurrence at 6 months after treatment.

RESULTSThere were 72, 48, and 20 cases of genotype TT, TC, and CC of TLR2 597 (T/C), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 71, 31, and 3 cases in the controls. The gene frequency of mutant C was 31. 43% in the patients, significantly higher than 17.62% in the controls (χ2 = 12.04, P < 0.01), and it was 38.68% in the recurrent cases, remarkably higher than 27.01% in the non-recurrent cases (χ2 = 4.16, P < 0.05). There were 74, 49, and 17 cases of genotype TT, TC, and CC of TLR2 1350( T/C), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 73, 29, and 3 cases in the controls. The gene frequency of mutant C was 29. 64% in the patients, significantly higher than 16. 67% in the controls (χ2 =11.05, P < 0.01), and it was 36.79% in the recurrent cases, markedly higher than 25. 29% in the non-recurrent cases (χ2 = 4.18, P < 0.05). There were 44, 66, and 30 cases of genotype AA, AG, and GG of TLR2 15607(A/G), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 26, 58, and 21 cases in the controls. There was no significant difference in the gene frequencies of mutant G between the two groups (χ2 = 0.33, P > 0.05). No mutant genes of TLR2 2508 (G/A) or TLR4 896(A/G) and 1196(C/ T) were detected in either the CA patients or the controls. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed a tight linkage between TLR2 597 (T/C) and 1350(T/C) (D' = 1, r2 = 0.93).

CONCLUSIONTLR2 597(T/C) is tightly linked to 1350(T/C), which is correlated with both the susceptibility and the recurrence of condyloma acuminatum.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Condylomata Acuminata ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Recurrence ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics

Objective Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs after catheter-based interventional procedures and increases mortality. How-ever, the implications of AKI before thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) of type B acute aortic dissection (AAD) remain un-clear. This study evaluated the incidence, predictors, and in-hospital outcomes of AKI before TEVAR in patients with type B AAD. Meth-ods Between 2009 and 2013, 76 patients were retrospectively evaluated who received TEVAR for type B AAD within 36 h from symptom onset. The patients were classified into no-AKI vs. AKI groups, and the severity of AKI was further staged according to kidney disease:im-proving global outcomes criteria before TEVAR. Results The incidence of preoperative AKI was 36.8%. In-hospital complications was significantly higher in patients with preoperative AKI compared with no-AKI (50.0%vs. 4.2%, respectively;P<0.001), including acute renal failure (21.4%vs. 0, respectively;P<0.001), and they increased with severity of AKI (P<0.001). The maximum levels of body tem-perature and white blood cell count were significantly related to maximum serum creatinine level before TEVAR. Multivariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure on admission (OR:1.023;95%CI:1.003–1.044;P=0.0238) and bilateral renal artery involvement (OR:19.076;95%CI:1.914–190.164;P=0.0120) were strong predictors of preoperative AKI. Conclusions Preoperative AKI frequently oc-curred in patients with type B AAD, and correlated with higher in-hospital complications and enhanced inflammatory reaction. Systolic blood pressure on admission and bilateral renal artery involvement were major risk factors for AKI before TEVAR.

Objective To investigate the effects of essential trace elements selenium, zinc, copper, iron,cobalt, chromium and molybdenum upon arsenic poisoning caused by coal-burning. Methods Stratified random sampling method was used to conduct epidemiological investigation on 139 arsenic exposed residents(including nonpatient, light, moderate and severe patients) in an area polluted by coal-burning arsenic in Xingren county of Guizhou province as exposure group. Control group included 34 residents who lived about 13 km away from the endemic area of arsenic contamination. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to analyze arsenic, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum in coal, soil, rice,corn, chilli, hair, blood and urine. Results Arsenic content in coal, soil, corn and chilli of polluted area were 4.894,146.551,0.522,1.440 mg/kg, respectively. These arsenic content were significantly higher than those in control area which were 1.980,50.167,0.296,0.948 mg/kg, respectively(P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01) . The content of selenium in soil of the diseased area(5.038 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that in soil of control area(8.948 mg/kg, P ＜0.05). The content of copper, iron, chromium in soil and iron in corn were 44.114,5731.500,98.323,89.996 mg/kg, respectively. These elements content were significantly higher than those in control area which were 13.473,1298.430,36.839,57.391 mg/kg, respectively (all P ＜ 0.05) . Hair and urine arsenic levels were 1.985mg/kg and 149.593 μg/g Cr in exposed group, respectively. These arsenic levels were significantly higher than those in control group which were 0.670 mg/kg and 49.853 μg/g Cr, respectively(all P ＜ 0.01) . Hair selenium level in exposed group(1.706 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that in control group(2.405 mg/kg, P ＜ 0.01). Hair levels of iron and chromium, blood level of eopper and the ratio between copper and zinc in exposed group were 88.295,8.933 mg/kg, 1.053 mg/L and 0.074, respectively. These element levels and elements ratio were significantly higher than those in control group which were 47.970,4.099 mg/kg, 0.934 mg/L and 0.065, respectively(P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05). Hair selenium level was negatively correlated with the progression of arsenism(r = - 0.414, P ＜ 0.01) .Hair levels of iron and chromium, the ratio between copper and zinc in blood were positively correlated with the progression of arsenism(r = 0.271,0.261,0.250, all P ＜ 0.01) . Conclusions Low selenium, high copper, high iron and high chromium coexists in arsenic polluted area. In exposed group, hair selenium is low, hair iron and chromium, blood copper and ratio between copper and zinc are high. These element changes with environment trend.These element changes are associated with the occurrence and development of the disease caused by coal-burning.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of artesunate on mouse cytomegalovirus pneumonia, the BALB/c-nu mice were infected with murine cytomegalovirus-green fluorescent protein (MCMV-GFP) by nose dropping method. The experimental protocol was approved by the Medical Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Guangzhou Medical University. The BALB/c-nu mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, MCMV pneumonia group, and artesunate (60, 120, and 240 mg·kg^-1) groups. The survival rate, weights, and virus loads in lungs among the groups were observed. The degree of histopathologic changes in lungs was assessed directly by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) assay. MCMV-GFP expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. In addition, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to investigate the content of major immediate early 1 (Mie1) mRNA, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the changes of inflammatory factors, interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of the changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in total proteins. Compared with MCMV group, artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) significantly increased body weights of MCMV-infected nude mice over 30 days, and decreased the viral titer in lung homogenate, lung inflammation, and histological severity. Moreover, the administration of artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) could downregulate the expression of phospho-NF-κB (p-NF-κB) p65 in the lungs of mice. The present study suggested that artesunate can protect the immunocompromised mice from MCMV-induced interstitial pneumonia via downregulating NF-κB signaling pathway, thus attenuating inflammation in the lungs.