Animals ; Intestinal Absorption ; Mice ; Schistosomicides ; metabolism ; Solubility

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ascites ; pathology ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child ; Cytodiagnosis ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEImpact of the presence of bacteria associated with a marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense CI01, on the growth and toxin production of the algae in batch culture was investigated.

METHODSPronounced changes in the activities of the algal culture were observed when the culture was treated with different doses of a mixture of penicillin and streptomycin.

RESULTSIn the presence of antibiotics at the initial concentration of 100 u/mL in culture medium, both algal growth and toxin yield increased markedly. When the concentration of antibiotics was increased to 500 u/mL, the microalgal growth was inhibited, but resumed in a few days to eventually reach the same level of growth and toxin production as at the lower dose of the antibiotics. When the antibiotics were present at a concentration of 1 000 u/mL, the algal growth was inhibited permanently.

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that antibiotics can enhance algal growth and toxin production not only through their inhibition of the growth and hence competition for nutrients, but also through their effects on the physiology of the algae.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; Dinoflagellida ; microbiology ; pathogenicity ; Eutrophication ; Marine Toxins ; biosynthesis ; Penicillins ; pharmacology ; Saxitoxin ; Streptomycin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of dutasteride inhibiting fertility by studying its effects on the expressions of the epididymal epithelial junction proteins Claudin1 and β-catenin in rats.

METHODSSixteen 3-month-old SD male rats were equally divided into an experimental and a negative control group to be treated intragastrically with dutasteride at 40 mg/kg per day and the same dose of solvent, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Then, the sperm motility and morphology of the rats were detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis, the serum levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) measured by ELISA, changes in the tight junction of epididymal cells observed under the transmission electron microscope, the protein and gene expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the conception rate of the mated female rats calculated.

RESULTSDutasteride significantly suppressed the serum DHT level, sperm motility, and fertility of the rats (P <0.05). Interspaces between epididymal epithelial cell tight junctions were observed, the volume of epididymal fluid obviously increased, and the expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin gene and protein remarkably downregulated in the experimental rats (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONDutasteride can significantly inhibit the fertility of male rats by reducing the serum DHT level, suppressing Claudin1 and β-catenin expressions, and damaging epididymal epithelial cell junctions.

Animals ; Azasteroids ; pharmacology ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Dutasteride ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urological Agents ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of combined treatment with sansanmycin and macrolides on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and formation of biofilm.

METHODSMicro-dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sansanmycin, gentamycin, carbenicillin, polymyxin B, roxithromycin, piperacillin, and tazobactam. PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were observed under optical microscope after staining and under SEM after treatment with sansanmycin at different dosages and combined treatment with sansanmycin and roxithromycin. Viable bacteria in PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were counted after treatment with sansanmycin at different dosages or combined treatment with sansanmycin and roxithromycin.

RESULTSThe MIC of sansanmycin was lower than that of gentamycin and polymyxin B, but was higher than that of carbenicillin. Roxithromycin enhanced the penetration of sansanmycin to PA1 and PA27853 strains through biofilms. PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were gradually cleared with the increased dosages of sansanmycin or with the combined sansanmycin and roxithromycin.

CONCLUSIONSub-MIC levels of roxithromycin and sansanmycin substantially inhibit the generation of biofilms and proliferation of bacteria. Therefore, combined antibiotics can be used in treatment of intractable bacterial infection.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Macrolides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Uridine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate relationship between methylation status of the APC and Bikunin CpG islands and clinicopathological characteristics of breast carcinomas.

METHODSThe methylation status of APC and Bikunin CpG islands in 152 sporadic breast carcinoma samples were analyzed by methylation specific PCR.

RESULTS40.8% of breast carcinomas examined showed methylated signals for the APC. The methylation frequency of APC was significantly correlated to the tumor size (chi(2) = 4.041; P = 0.044), but not to patients' age, pathologic type of tumor, clinical stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and the status of estrogen or progestogen receptor. In addition, 24.6% of carcinoma samples examined revealed strong methylated signals for Bikunin. No significant correlation was found between the aberrant methylation of Bikunin and the clinicopathological characteristics of sporadic breast carcinomas.

CONCLUSIONThe aberrant methylations of APC and Bikunin are frequent events during breast carcinogenesis. APC methylation might play a role in the progression of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

Objective To investigate the correlation between the changes of serum S100B protein level in acute phase and the scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in patients with brain concussion, and evaluate the role of serum S100B protein level in the prognosis of cognition disorders after brain concussion. Methods The serum S100B protein level was determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 126 cases of brain concussion 6 and 12 h, and 3 d after admission, and these data were compared with those in 96 cases of moderate head trauma without transitory loss of consciousness (admitted to our hospital at the same period, control group). MMSE was performed 1 and 14 d and 3 months after injury, and the correlation between the changes of serum S100B level in acute phase and MMSE scores was observed. Results As compared with that in control group,the serum S100B protein level in patients with brain concussion was significant higher at 6 and 12 h after admission(P＜0.05). The serum S100B protein level at 6 h, but not at 12 h and 3 d after admission, was closely associated with the MMSE scores 1 and 14 d and 3 months after injury. Conclusion Early elevation of S100B within 6 h of admission in patients with brain concussion, obviously correlating with cognitive impairment, may serve as an important prognostic marker in predicting clinical outcome of cognition disorders after brain injury.

Objective: To summarize clinical experience on reconstruction of severe facial disfigurement with flap prefabrication and soft tissue expansion. Methods: From September 2005 to June 2016, 49 patients with type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ facial deformities underwent facial reconstruction with an integrated method on the basis of prefabricated flaps. In the first stage, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessels and the surrounding muscle fascia were dissected and transferred to subcutaneous pocket in the cervicothoracic area. The pedicles of the fascial flap were anastomosed to either the facial or superior thyroid artery and their venae comitantes in flap prefabrication. A tissue expander was placed beneath the fascial flap. In the second stage, over-expansion was achieved with intra-flap stem cell transplantation once patient′s skin showed signs of intolerance to expansion. In the third stage, prefabricated flap was transferred to cover the facial defects. the second or third internal mammary artery perforators or lateral thoracic artery perforators were reserved and flap supercharging would be performed depending on the perfusion of the flap revealed by indocyanine green angiography intra-operatively. Later, flap revisions further restored facial outline and delicate organ configuration. Aesthetic and functional status were independently graded to assess the facial appearance and function before and after the reconstruction. Results: 49 patients with severe facial deformities were included. 5 patients received stem cell transplantation. The final inflated volume ranged from 2 530 ml to 3500 ml and each patient had facial reconstruction with a prefabricated flap (range 23 cm×18 cm-34 cm×32 cm). Flap supercharging technique were used in 25 cases to augment blood perfusion, however, flap necrosis (5 cm× 2 cm) occurred in 1 patient, and tip necrosis occurred in 4 patients, otherwise, all flaps survived entirely. The aesthetic (1.15 to 2.29) and functional (0.86 to 2.42) status scores were statistically improved (P<0.01). Facial expressions such as smiling, blinking and frowning were noted. Conclusions Autologous full face reconstruction with an integrated method based on flap prefabrication can bring satisfying aesthetic and functional recovery, rendering a safe and effective option for most patients with massive facial defects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and the gene mutation frequencies and patterns of β-thalassemia (β-Thal) in ethnic Han children in Chongqing city.

METHODA total of 1726 children were screened by using automatic hemocytic analyzer, cellulose acetate electrophoresis and fetal hemoglobin alkali denaturation test. Samples with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fl, cell hemoglobin content (MCH) < 27 pg and hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) levels >3.3%, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) >2% for β-Thal screening indicators. The positive samples of screening indicators were detected and identified by PCR-reverse dot blot method for 18 common β-Thal mutations in Chinese populations, unknown mutations samples were subjected to DNA sequencing analysis of the β-globin gene.

RESULTTwenty-five cases of β-Thal carriers were observed from the 1726 samples, with 24 cases of β-Thal heterozygote and one case of double heterozygote. Therefore, the β-Thal carrier rate was 1.51%. After 1726 peripheral venous blood samples analyzed by hematological parameters, 164 positive cases of β-Thal screening indicators were found, with the positive rate being 9.50% (164/1726). A total of 6 different gene mutations were detected, the four most common mutations were as the following: CD41-42, IVS-II-654, CD17 and beta E. These four mutations as the major types in this area accounted for 88.00% of all the mutations. In addition, one rare mutation of 5 'UTR; + (43 -40) was found, and one case of the hemoglobin variant of Hb Zurich was reported in Chinese people for the first time.

CONCLUSIONChongqing is a high risk region of the β-Thal. Epidemiological Data from the research was useul for the genetic counseling and the prevention of β-Thal major.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Counseling ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; genetics ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal ; analysis ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; genetics ; Prevalence ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the feature of epidemiological of rotavirus diarrhea in Lulong county, Hebei province.

METHODS426 stool specimens were collected from inpatant with acute diarrhea from children less than 5 years old. Rotavirus-positive specimens were identified by ELISA kit. G/P typing assays were confirmed with multiplex seminested RT-PCR.

RESULTSRotavirus was detected in 202 of 426 (47.42%) specimens. Genotyping of rotavirus showed that G3 was predominant (57.9%), followed by Gmix (16.3%), G9 (14.9% ), G1 (7.9%), G4 (1%), G2 (0.5%), P-genotyping showed that P [8], Pmix, P [4], P [9], type were found in 58.4%, 28.7%, 6.9% and 1% respectively. The most common G/P combination identified was G3P [8].

CONCLUSIONGroup A rotaviruses was a major pathogen of diarrhea in Children in Lulong. G3P [8] was the predominant type in 2009, Gmix and Pmix abound, and G9 serotypes has become the second predominant after G3 strain in the region.

Age Distribution ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Rotavirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rotavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Seasons