Salmonella enterica serovar Cerro 87, which was isolated from a commercial egg-producing farm, has a phosphorothioated DNA backbone resulting DNA degradation(Dnd) during the pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) process. In this research, a gene deletion mutant XTG103 was engineered with the entire dnd gene cluster knocked out by double crossover using vector pKOV-kan, and lost Dnd phenotype corre- spondingly. We regulated the DNA phosphorothioation by heterogenous expression of dnd gene cluster with an isopropyl ?-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) inducible promoter PlacZ.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sequence Deletion ; Smoking ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of spanishneedles leaves on middle and severe xerophthalmia of menopausal females.

METHODThis study was a prospective random controlled trial. Ninty-six menopausal females diagnosed with xerophthalmnia (aged from 40 to 50) were randomly divided into in two groups: group A' the spanishneedles leaves group (n=48) and group B' the control group (n=48). Both groups were treated with Forte eye drops. All patients were detected at 3, 7, 28 h before and after treatment to evaluate subjective symptoms, OSDI and four tear film indicators. Variance analysis and differential analysis on sample average or median were made on both groups before and after treatment.

RESULTThere were no significant difference in symptom and diction indicators between both groups before treatment. For 28 d after treatment, among middle and severe xerophthalmia samples of the spanishneedles leaves group, the mean differences showed significant improvement compared with that before treatment , OSDI and four tear film indicators also showed improvement to varying degrees. For 28 d after treatment, among middle and severe xerophthalmia samples of the vitamin C group, the mean differences showed no significant improvement compared with that before treatment , OSDI and four tear film indicators also showed no remarkable improvement. There were significant differences in OSDI, BUT, SIT, height of tear meniscus and FL between both groups.

CONCLUSIONSpanishneedles leaves can effectively improve symposiums and signs of middle and severe xerophthalmia among menopausal females and thus showing clinical significance to some extent.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; Treatment Outcome ; Xerophthalmia ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to investigate the osteogenic potential and possibility of combination application of mimetic osteoinductive periosteum with tissue-engineered bone.

METHODSThe three-dimensional construction of tissue-engineered bone was made by implantation of adipose derived stromal cells (ADSCs) into rhBMP-2 mediated bio-derived carrier, and mimetic periosteum was constructed by loading ADSCs into Cs-Col-beta3-TCP with rhBMP-2. 10 mm defects of right radiuses were established in adult New Zealand rabbits, group A was transplanted by tissue-engineered bone with mimetic periosteum, group B was implanted by tissue-engineered bone, and group C was implanted by mimetic periosteum, group D was transplanted by bio-derived compound bone as blank scaffold. X-ray, histology, immunohistochemistry stain, dural energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations were performed at different periods.

RESULTSGroup A played a predominant role in process of new tissue regeneration and mature bone reconstitution, defect completely healed at 12 weeks. Group B showed primary repair, group C also existed in modeling stage. While, group D displayed retard regeneration with poor osteogenic capacity. DEXA result showed that group A had statistical significance over control group according to data of BMC and BMD ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEnhanced osteogenic potential can be obtained by using tissue-engineered bone with mimetic osteoinductive periosteum. Defect can be healed with concord pattern of osteoinductive and osteopromotive and osteoconductive effects.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Male ; Periosteum ; Rabbits ; Radius ; pathology ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Aim To screen novel NS5 inhibitors a-gainst dengue virus ( DENV) replication. Methods His-tagged DENV2 NS5 RNA-dependent polymerase ( NS5 RdRp ) was expressed and purified in BL21 cells. The binding ability of the small molecules to NS5 polymerase was determined by SPR assay. The activity of dengue inhibition by Z1 was determined by CPE, LDH and plaque assay. RNA synthesis was as-sessed by Real-time PCR. The dsRNA synthesis and viral proteins were detected by immunofluorescence as-say. The level of viral proteins was examined by West-ern blot. The stage of DENV life cycle was evaluated by time of drug-addition assay. Results A small mo-lecular Z1 was discovered, which could bind to NS5 RdRp. Z1 inhibited DENV2 RNA replication, synthe-sis of dsRNA and protein synthesis in post-entry stage of dengue life-cycle. Cell based assay confirmed that Z1 inhibited DENV-induced cell death with EC50 val-ues of 4. 75μmol·L-1 . Conclusions The novel NS5 inhibitor Z1, inhibits DENV2 RNA replication, protein synthesis and release of progeny virus, which may be severed as an anti-DENV2 antiviral drug for further de-velopment.

OBJECTIVETo design a new type minor smoke warming moxibustion cup for convenient use of both the physicians and the patients.

METHODSThe double-deck minor smoke warming moxibustion cup is fixed on the part receiving moxibustion by vacuum adsorption; the filtration device on the upper can filtrate and adsorb the harmful substance in the moxa-smoke, and the device with a double-temperature control on the lower can sensitively regulate the moxibustion temperature.

RESULTSThis new type minor smoke warming moxibustion cup has the advantages of minor smoke discharge, convenient fixation, sensitive regulation of temperature, saving moxibustion material, lasting action, safety, besides the advantages of traditional moxibustion.

CONCLUSIONThe new type minor smoke warming moxibustion cup can use for treatment and prevention of diseases, suitable to clinical treatment and family health care.

Equipment Design ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo study the polysaccharide of Condonopsis pilosula.

METHODThe polysaccharide, CPP-1, was purified by DE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-200 gel column chromatography. Purity and molecular weight of the polysaccharide were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and degradation, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR methods were adopted to elucidate the chemical structure.

RESULTThe molecular weight of CPP-1 was estimated to be 7.5 x 10(4), and the structure of CPP-1 was a beta-(2 --> 1) linked beta-D-fructosan.

CONCLUSIONCPP-1 was a neutral homosaccharide.

Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fructans ; chemistry

In this study,the effects of pirrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) plus leflunomide (Lef) models were investigated.NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively.Mouse-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation was performed.The recipients were divided into 5 groups:group A (the control group),group B (PDTC group),group C (PDTC plus CsA group),group D (PDTC plus Lef group) and group E (PDTC plus Lef and CsA group).The expressions of IKKα/β,by immunohistochemistry and Western blot as well as electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).The median survival time of cardiac xenografts in the control group,PDTC group,PDTC plus CsA group,PDTC plus Lef group and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was (2.17±0.41),(2.33±0.52),(4.67±1.21),(7.00±1.79) and (9.00±1.41) days respectively.The survival time of xenografts in the PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was significantly longer than that in other four groups (P<0.05 for all),that in the PDTC plus Lef group longer than that in the control group,PDTC group and PDTC plus CsA group (P<0.05 for all),that in PDTC plus CsA group longer than the control group and PDTC binding activity were notably increased in mouse-to-rat cardiac xenografts.The expressions were decreased in the control group,PDTC group,PDTC plus CsA group,PDTC plus Lef and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group in turn.It was concluded that PDTC plus Lef and CsA can significantly suppress prolonging the survival of the cardiac xenografts.

Objective To explore the Electrocardiography (ECG) changes of residents in Keshan disease area and the status of growth and decline of Keshan disease in Shaanxi Province. Methods Using stratified randomized sampling method,2 mild,2 moderate and 2 serious disease counties were selected respectively in 2005 and 2006. A total of 6 counties were sampled,2 villages,one with severe disease and one with mild,were selected from each sampled county. A total of 12 villages were selected. The clinical examination and ECG were conducted in 3-year old children of agricultural population of the selected villages. Results ECG of 5692 cases were performed in the selected 12 village in the 6 counties,in which 4917 cases showed normal electrocardiogram,up to 86.38% (4917/5692). Two hundred and fifty-two cases showed roughly normal electrocardiograms,up to 4.43%(252/5692). Five hundred and twenty-three cases had abnormal electrocardiogram,accounting for 9.19% (523/5692). Among them,the abnormal electrocardiogram rates in mild,moderate and serious disease areas were 7.07% (144/2036), 11.41%(167/1646) and 10.54%(212/2010),respectively. Atrioventricular block was the major abnormal electrocardiogram change,followed by arrhythmia,ST-T changes,and low voltage. One hundred and thirty-nine cases were confirmed as latent and chronic Keshan diseases. One hundred and thirty-one cases were latent Keshan, and detection rate was 2.30%(131/5692). Eight cases were chronic Keshan,and the detective rate was 0.14% (8/5692). Complete right bundle branch block [37.06% (63/170) ],ST-T changes [22.35% (38/170) ],multiple premature ventricular beats [12.94% (22/170)] were the major abnormal electrocardiogram change of Keshan patients. Conclusions Atrioventricular block and arrhythmia are the major abnormal electrocardiogram changes. Keshan disease incidences are controlled under a stable condition.

Objective To know the prevalence tendency of Keshan disease(KSD) under control after 10 years in Shaanxi Province, the factors that causes or relative to the disease, to provide scientific reference for disease's prevention and control. Methods Through stratified cluster sampling, based on the severity of KSD in endemic area of Shaanxi Province, 12 villages from 6 counties were randomly selected as investigation points in 2006. The people older than 3 year-old were chosen to do clinical check up and electrocardiogram tracing. Among them, suspicious or abnormal cases were asked to take chest X-ray and cardiac ultrasound. Maize and rice, hair and whole blood were randomly collected to test the selenium content, the activity of Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Results The total detection rate of potential or chronic KSD was 2.44%(139/5694), the detection rate of abnormal ECG was 9.19% (523/5692), the detection rate of cardiac enlargement from chest X-ray and cardiac ultrasound were 45.6%(72/158) and 34.5%(59/171) respectively. The average content of selenium in staple foods(wheat and corn) were[(0.045±0.036), (0.035±0.025)mg/kg, respectively]. The level of hair selenium in patients and healthy people were [(0.376±0.091), (0.384±0.077)mg/kg, respectively], with non-significant different (u=0.77, P>0.05). There were significant differences in whole blood selenium of patients, healthy people in KSD areas and healthy people in non-KSD areas[(0.071±0.017), (0.077±0.017), (0.090±0.016)mg/L, respectively; F=4.55, P<0.05), the whole blood selenium in patients lower than in healthy people in KSD areas (P<0.05), in healthy people in KSD areas lower than in non-KSD areas (P<0.05). Conclusions After the KSD condition being controlled, the situation in Shaanxi Province has become stable and exhibited a decreasing tendency. The selenium level of both internal and external environment in the endemic area increased significantly, that is the main factors of controlling disease.