OBJECTIVETo understand the molecular epidemiologic characteristics of hantavirus Shandong isolate JNL virus strain.

METHODSThe complete M and S gene of the JNL virus isolated from Shandong Province was amplified by RT- PCR, and the purified PCR product was cloned into T vector for sequencing.

RESULTSThe results revealed that the JNL M segment was 3615 bp in length, encoding 1135 amino acids, and the S segment was 1698 bp encoding 429 amino acids, JNL belongs to HTN virus. The comparison of homology with HTN and SEO types showed that the difference of M and S complete sequences between JNL and all other HTN virus strains reached 20.0%-20.6%, and 15.5%-16.0%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree also showed that the position of JNL is located at a different clade.

CONCLUSIONSHTN virus Shandong local isolate JNL strain is a new specific HTN subtype virus.

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Hantaan virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that delayed X-irradiation can enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord in rats.

METHODSSeventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, 35 rats in each. The control group sustained a one-minute clip compression (force of clip was 30 g) injury of the spinal cord at the T2 level, without X-irradiation. The experimental group received X-irradiation 14 days after injury. Neurological function was assessed by the modified Tarlov method, including hind limbs movement, inclined plane, and pain withdrawal. These tests were performed in a blinded fashion at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after injury. At 43 days after injury, histological examination of the injured spinal cord was performed following decapitation of the rats.

RESULTSSixty-two rats met the experimental requirements (spinal cord injury was similar), 32 rats in experimental group and 30 rats in control group. Statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in hind limbs movement and inclined plane (P < 0.01), but not in the pain withdrawal test. The edema and necrosis areas of injured spinal cords in experimental group were less than those in control group, and axons in experimental group were significantly more than those in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDelayed X-irradiation following spinal cord injury may enhance functional recovery by improving and restoring structural integrity of the injured spinal cord in rats.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Hindlimb ; Joints ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; Movement ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; radiotherapy ; rehabilitation ; Weight-Bearing ; X-Rays

Acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity is a serious postinjury complication that requires emergency treatment. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance for a good outcome. Four muscle compartments in the calf (anterior, lateral, deep posterior, and superficial posterior) may be individually or collectively affected. Acute segmental single-compartment syndrome is an extremely rare condition characterized by high pressure in a single compartment space with threatening of the segmental tissue viability. In this case report, we describe a young man with Achilles tendon rupture who complained of postoperative pain in the anterior tibial region. Emergent computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed local muscle edema. Segmental anterior compartment syndrome was diagnosed and fasciotomy was performed.
Achilles Tendon ; injuries ; surgery ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Anterior Compartment Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; therapy ; Skin ; innervation ; Upper Extremity ; innervation

Objective To establish a method of detecting hepatitis B virus x antigen (HBxAg) and antibody to HBxAg (anti-HBx) and to demonstrate its clinical significance of HBxAg and anti-HBx in sera from patients of chronic hepatitis B (CHB),liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Full length HBx gene was cloned into pET30a(+),a prokaryotic expression vector,named pET30a-X.It was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3),followed the fusion protein of HBx-His was induced by IPTG.The purified fusion protein was used to immunize rabbit as an antigen to generate polyclonal antibody to HBx protein.The method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established by using purified fusion protein and generated antibody,which was used to detect HBxAg and anti-HBx in sera from patients of CHB,LC,HCC and normal healthy people.Results The positive rates of HBxAg/anti-HBx were 8.7%/10.4% for CHB,17.9%/40.6% for LC,and 9.8%/34.4% for HCC, respectively.In statistics,the positive rates of anti-HBx in LC and HCC were higher than that in CHB (P

Objective To investigate the geographical characteristics of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of candidate genes associated with coronary artery disease in Chinese Han population.Methods Study population were Chinese Han nationality recruited from Xi'an,Shiyan and Ningbo districts.Patients with coronary artery disease were defined by coronary angiography with stenosis ≥ 50% and control subjects with stenosis ＜10%,respectively.The DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cell by approach comprised proteinase K digestion,phenol and chloroform extraction as well as isopropanol precipitation.The SNP of ATP-binding cassette transporter(ABCA1)-G596A,cholesteryl ester transfer protein(CETP)-Taq1B,Lipoprotein lipase(LPL)-Hind Ⅲ and LPL-Pvu Ⅱ were genotyped by PCR-RFLPs,and verified by gene sequencing.Results A Total of 615 patients undertaken coronary angiography were recruited from cardiac center in Xi'an(220),Ningbo(209)and Shiyan district(186),China (mean age 60±10 years,75.9% males).Diabetes melitus was more prevalent in Xi'an Cohort population than Shiyan and Ningbo cohort(P＜0.01).Plasma total cholesterol,LDL cholestcol and trigtyceride levels in Xi'an Cohort population were significantly higher,and HDL-C siginificantly lower than in Shiyan and Ningbo cohort population [HDL-C:(1.17±0.48)mmol/L vs.(1.25±0.33)mmol/L and (1.29±0.44)mmol/L,P＜0.05].Distribution differences for ABCA1-G596A and CETP-Taq1B genotypes were found in Xi'an Cohort population compared to Ningbo and Shiyan cohorts(for ABCA1,Xi'an:0.24,0.53,0.23 and Shiyan:0.17,0.62,0.21 and Ningbo:0.34,0.37,0.29,for GG,AG,AA,respectively,P＜0.01;and for CETP,Xi'an:0.29,0.54,0.17 and Shiyan:0.38,0.40,0.22 and Ningbo:0.39,0.49,0.12 for B181,B182,B282,respectively,P＜0.01),but not for LPL variants.ABCA1-G596A variant predicted HDL-C [Xi'an:(1.2±0.3)mmol/L,(1.3±0.2)mmol/L and(1.4±0.4)mmol/L,P=0.01;Shiyan:(1.1±0.4)mmol/L:(1.2±0.3)mmol/L and(1.3±0.4)mmol/L,P=0.03;Ningbo,(1.2±0.3)mmol/L,(1.3±0.4)mmol/L and(1.4±0.3)mmol/L,across GG,Gato AA genotype,respectively,P=0.01]and TG levels[Xi'an:(2.4±1.3)mmol/L,(1.9±0.9)mmol/L and(1.6±0.8)mmol/L,P＜0.01;Shiyan:(2.1±1.0)mmol/L,(1.9±0.8)mmol/L and(1.8±0.7)mmol/L,P=0.03;Ningbo:(1.9±1.1) mmol/L,(1.8±0.9) mmol/L and(1.6±0.7)mmol/L,across GG,GA to AA genotype,P=0.05] with dose-dependent relationship.LPL-Hind Ⅲ(+)carriers had higher triglycerides in three cohort population[Xi'an:(2.2±1.0)mmol/L,(1.8±0.9)mmol/L,(1.6±0.7)mmol/L,P=0.01;Shiyan:(2.1±0.7)mmol/L,(1.9±1.0)mmol/L,(1.7±0.6)mmol/L,P=0.01;Ningbo:(1.8±1.0)mmol/L,(1.6±0.6)mmol/L and(1.4±0.5)mmol/L,for +/+,+/-and-/-genotypes,respectively,P=0.001].SNP of CETP-Taq1B,LPL-Hind Ⅲ and LPL-Pvu Ⅱ predicted HDL-C and/or TG levels in different cohort population with different manners.All these SNP were not significantly associated with the development of coronary artery disease (all P＞0.05).Conclusion A geographical heterogeneity of environmental and genetic risk factors related to the development of coronary artery disease exists in Chinese Han population.Irrespective of the different geographical cohort of Chinese Han population,the SNP of candidate genes can partly predict the differences in risk-related plasma HDL-C and/or TG levels rather than angiographic coronary artery disease.

This paper reviewed the worldwide research progresses of the genus Laggera both on phytochemical and pharmacological work in the past few decades. The main secondary metabolites of this genus are proved to be sesquitepenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Phamacological investigations revealed that the certain extracts of some Laggera species possess significant bioactivities on anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and anti-viral infection. This review afforded the comprehensive description of the active components as to provide useful references to elucidate their historical clinical application on upper respiratory infection, influenza, parotitis, and recurrent herpes viral infection.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; Molecular Structure ; Parotitis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Ranunculaceae ; chemistry ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use

PURPOSE: We recently reported on a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial comparing pemetrexed-cisplatin chemotherapy followed by gefitinib maintenance therapy (PC/G) with gefitinib monotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report on a post hoc subgroup analysis of that study assessing the demographics and disposition of the Korean patient subgroup, and comparing the tolerability of PC/G and gefitinib monotherapy and the tumor response with respect to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients, who were ≥ 18 years, chemonaïve, Korean, light ex-smokers/never-smokers with advanced NSCLC, were randomly assigned (1:1) to PC/G or gefitinib monotherapy. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were graded, and tumor response was measured as change in lesion sum from baseline at best response. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials. gov, NCT01017874. RESULTS: Overall, 111 Korean patients were treated (PC/G, 51; gefitinib, 60). Between-arm characteristics were balanced and similar to those of the overall population. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were low (PC/G: 1, 2.0%; gefitinib: 7, 11.7%). Overall, 92 patients (82.9%) reported ≥ 1 TEAE (PC/G, 44; gefitinib, 48); few patients (PC/G, 16; gefitinib, 7) reported severe TEAEs; the most frequent was neutropenia (PC/G arm) and elevated alanine aminotransferase (gefitinib arm). The lesion sum was decreased by PC/G treatment in most patients, regardless of EGFR mutation status, while gefitinib monotherapy reduced the lesion sum in EGFR-positive patients but had no effect in EGFR-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that both PC/G and gefitinib were well tolerated in Korean patients, regardless of EGFR status; however, patients with EGFR wild-type NSCLC may not benefit from gefitinib monotherapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Demography ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Korea ; Neutropenia ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

BACKGROUNDFilamentous fungal infections are associated with a high morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplants. The present study aimed to investigate the aspergillus pneumonia in renal transplant recipients, and its diagnosis as well as treatment.

METHODSApproximately 2000 cases of renal transplants were retrospectively studied and we focused on cases hospitalized during August 1, 2005 and February 1, 2007, as the study period. The clinical database and electronic records were analyzed. Recently published literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThere was more diabetes and hypertension in the infected group than in the non-infected group (86% vs 62% and 57% vs 39%, respectively). Eighty-six percent of recipients from the infected group had delayed graft function. Seven cases with aspergillus pneumonia were identified based on either fungal culture or radiology. Of the 7 cases, 4 died in a few days after diagnosis. Liposomal amphotericin B was used as a first-line therapy.

CONCLUSIONSIncidences of fungal infection are increasing among renal transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical steps in curing aspergillosis.

Adult ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on HGF gene-transfected Raji cells.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from human hepatic tissue, HGF gene cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR, and then cloned into vector pVITRO2-mcs to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. The recombinant vector was transfected to Raji cells, and the stably transfected cells were selected by homomycin B in serial passages, and confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, ELISA, immunocytohistochemistry. The biological features of transfected Raji cells were evaluated by semisolid culture.

RESULTSRT-PCR results showed that Raji cells were transfected successfully with recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. HGF mRNA and protein were expressed successfully in Raji cells. Expression of HGF gene enhanced proliferation, metastasis and invasion of Raji cells.

CONCLUSIONHGF gene has been cloned and recombined to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF successfully. Transfected HGF may change the biological features of Raji cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection