Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; urine ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Legionella pneumophila ; immunology ; Legionnaires' Disease ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; immunology

Production of bioethanol using starch as raw material has become a very prominent technology. However, phytate in the raw material not only decreases ethanol production efficiency, but also increases phosphorus discharge. In this study, to decrease phytate content in an ethanol fermentationprocess, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered forheterologous expression of phytase on the cell surface. The phy gene encoding phytase gene was fused with the C-terminal-half region of α-agglutinin and then inserted downstream of the secretion signal gene, to produce a yeast surface-display expression vector pMGK-AG-phy, which was then transformed into S. cerevisiae. The recombinant yeast strain, PHY, successfully displayed phytase on the surface of cells producing 6.4 U/g wet cells and its properties were further characterized. The growthrate and ethanol production of the PHY strain were faster than the parent S. cerevisiae strain in the fermentation medium by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. Moreover, the phytate concentration decreased by 91% in dry vinasse compared to the control. In summary, we constructed recombinant S. cerevisiae strain displaying phytase on the cell surface, which could effectively reduce the content of phytate, improve the utilization value of vinasse and reduce the discharge of phosphorus. The strain reported here represents a useful novel engineering platform for developing an environment-friendly system for bioethanol production from a corn substrate.
6-Phytase ; metabolism ; Biofuels ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism ; Starch ; chemistry ; Zea mays ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the expression of human macrophage metalloelastase(HME) both in gastric cancer cell lines and gastric cancer tissues,and to find the role of HME in gastric carcino genesis.Methods Fifty eight patients who were operated in our hospital during April to Aug.2003 were enrolled.The samples taken from cancer,paracancer or normal tissues of these patients and cancer cell lines(MGC-803,SGC-7901,AGS)were detected for HME protein and HME mRNA expressions by Western blot and immunohistochemistry,RT-PCR and fluorescence quantitative PCR,respectively. Results Both HME mRNA and HME protein expressions were found in all three gastric cancer cell lines.The expressions of HME mRNA and HME protein in gastric cancer tissues was increased signifi- cantly compared with that in normal tissues(P0.05).Conclusions The increased HME expression in gastric cancer tissures compared with normal tissue indicate that HME may be a potential tumor marker for gastric cancer.

HSF1 is the major heat shock transcription factor that binds heat shock element (HSE) in the promoter of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and controls rapid HSP induction in cells subjected to various stresses such as elevated temperature, chemicals, or exposure to toxins. Although at least four members of the vertebrate HSF have been cloned, details of their individual physiological roles remain relatively obscure. To clarify the exact in vivo functions of HSF1 and assess whether HSF1 exhibits redundant or unique roles, we have created homozygous Hsf1-/- mice using standard gene targeting techniques and isolated Hsf1-/- embryonic fibroblasts. Here we demonstrate that heat shock response (HSR) was not attainable in Hsf1-/- embryonic fibroblasts, and this response was required for thermotolerance and protection against heat-induced apoptosis, and that homozygous Hsf1-/- mice, which survived to adulthood according to genetic background, exhibited multiple phenotypes including: (1) placental defects that reduced embryonic viability after late midgestation (day 13.5); (2) growth retardation; (3) female infertility caused by preimplantation lethality, and (4) increased mortality (+/+ vs -/-, P＜0.05) and exaggerated production of proinflammatory cytokine, TNF α (+/-　vs -/-, P＜0.05) after endotoxin challenge. Interestingly, although Hsf1-/- mice exhibited placental defects and embryonic death, basal HSP expression is not appreciably altered during embryonic development by the HSF1 null mutation, suggesting this factor might be involved in regulating some non-HSP genes or signaling pathways which may be important for development. Taken together, our results established direct causal effects for the HSF1 transactivator in regulating diverse physiological and pathophysiological conditions such as developnent, growth, reproduction, apoptosis and sepsis. The present work also provided a useful mammalian model for further investigating the implications of Hsf1 and its target genes (HSPs and other possible non-HSP genes) in various physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Paraffin Embedding ; methods ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism

Three osmotolerant yeasts were isolated from three batches of "swollen can" soy sauce produced by a Guangdong condiment plant. These strains grew faster in the media containing 50%～60% glucose or 15% NaCl than in common yeast media. The three yeasts were identified as Pichia etchellsii by using morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical tests.

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics of oleanolic acid liposomes in rats.METHODS: Oleanolic acid liposomes were prepared by ethanol injection-sonication;The pharmaceutical properties including morphology,encapsulation efficiency,particle size,zeta potential were determined.Rats were injected with oleanolic acid lipo-somes and oleanolic acid solution via the tail,respectively.The plasma concentrations of sample in rats were assayed by RP-HPLC.The pharmacokinetic parameters were computered by 3P97 program package.RESULTS: Oleanolic acid liposomes showed almost spherical,the mean diametre was(206.4 ? 4.7) nm.The encapsulation efficiency of oleanolic acid liposomes could be more than 90% based on orthogonal design,and no haemolyticus existed.The plasma concentration-time curves of the oleanolic acid liposomes conformed to a two-compartment model.T1/2? of oleanolic acid liposomes was(33.59 ? 12.53) min,AUC was(240.13 ? 23.62)(?g/mL.min),obviously higher than that of the control preparation.CONCLUSION: The oleanolic acid liposomes with high entrapment efficiency and even size has a good pharmacokinetic parameters by comparison with non-liposomes.

Heart Neoplasms ; pathology ; Heart Ventricles ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Rhabdomyoma ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the proliferation and apoptosis of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on leukemic U937 cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODThe inhibitory effect of TMP on the proliferation of U937 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell apoptosis and cycle distribution were examined by the flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and P27 were determined by the Real-time PCR. Western blot was carried out to detect bcl-2, caspase-3, cyclin E1, CDK2 and P27 expressions.

RESULTTMP inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-and-time dependent manner, with IC50 value of 160 mg x L(-1) at 48 h. In addition, TMP could induce the apoptosis of U937 cells and block the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. According to the results of Real-time PCR and Western blot, TMP could down-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related molecule bcl-2, cycle-related protein cyclin E1 and CDK2 and up-regulate caspase-3 and P27.

CONCLUSIONTMP shows the effects in inhibiting the proliferation of leukemic U937 cells and inducing the apoptosis. Its mechanism may be related to the impacts on the cell cycle distribution, down-regulation of the bcl-2 expression, which finally activates caspase-3, starts the apoptosis path and causes the cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 ; analysis ; Humans ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; U937 Cells

BACKGROUNDCapsule endoscopy is a novel non-invasive method for visualization of the entire small bowel. The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy depends on the quality of visualization of the small bowel mucosa and its complete passage through the small bowel. To date, there is no standardized protocol for bowel preparation before capsule endoscopy. The addition of simethicone in the bowel preparation for the purpose of reducing air bubbles in the intestinal lumen had only been studied by a few investigators.

METHODSSixty-four participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive a bowel preparation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution (Group 1) and both PEG solution and simethicone (Group 2). The PEG solution and simethicone were taken the night before and 20 min prior to capsule endoscopy, respectively. Frames taken in the small intestine were examined and scored for luminal bubbles by two professional capsule endoscopists. Gastric emptying time and small bowel transit time were also recorded.

RESULTSSimethicone significantly reduced luminal bubbles both in the proximal and distal small intestines. The mean time proportions with slight bubbles in the proximal and distal intestines in Group 2 were 97.1% and 99.0%, respectively, compared with 67.2% (P<0.001) and 68.8% (P<0.001) in Group 1. Simethicone had no effect on mean gastric emptying time, 32.08 min in Group 2 compared with 30.88 min in Group 1 (P=0.868), but it did increase mean small intestinal transit time from 227.28 to 281.84 min (P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONBowel preparation with both PEG and simethicone significantly reduced bubbles in the intestinal lumen and improved the visualization of the small bowel by capsule endoscopy without any side effects observed.

Adult ; Aged ; Capsule Endoscopes ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Intestine, Small ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premedication ; methods ; Simethicone ; administration & dosage ; Surface-Active Agents ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult