OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the gene polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes and the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer as well as to study the synergistic effects between smoking and the genes.

METHODSA case-control study (case = 217, control = 200) was carried out to compare the frequent distribution of CYP1A1, 2E1, 2D6 and GSTM1 genotypes between the lung cancer group and the control group with a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and to analyze the relationship between these genes and smoking.

RESULTSGSTM1-null genotype frequency was 58.5% in the lung cancer group and 47.5% in the control group with significant difference (P = 0.02). The frequent distribution of CYP1A1, 2E1, 2D6 genotypes was not significantly different in the two groups (P > 0.05). Synergistic effects were found between smoking and GSTM1 but not between smoking and CYP1A1, 2E1, 2D6.

CONCLUSIONSmoking and GSTM1-null genotype seemed to be the risk factors of lung cancer. Those who carrying GSTM1-null genotype and smoking cigarettes were prone to suffer from lung cancer to become the high-risk population of the disease.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Cancer, an abnormal cell proliferation resulted from multi-factors,has the highest morbidity and mortality among all the serious diseases. Considerable progress has been made in cancer biology in recent years. Tumor immunology, cancer stem cells (CSCs), autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have become hot topics of interests in this area. Detailed dissection of these biological processes will provide novel directions, targets, and strategies for the pharmacological evaluation, mechanism elucidation, and new drug development of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo prepare Form A and Form B of benazepril hydrochloride and to compare the differences in spectrums, thermodynamics and crystal structure between two polymorphic forms.

METHODSForm A and Form B of benazepril hydrochloride were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single crystal x-ray diffraction (SCXRD).

RESULTSPreparation method, crystal structure and polymorphic stability of Form A and Form B of benazepril hydrochloride were obtained. Based on the analysis of crystal structure of both polymorphs, Form A belonged to monoclone space group P2(1) with a=7.8655(4)Å, b= 11.7700(6)Å, c= 13.5560(7)Å, β= 102.9470(10)°, V=1223.07 (11)Å(3) and Z=2, while Form B belonged to orthorhombic space group P212121, with a=7.9353(8)Å, b=11.6654(11)Å, c=26.6453(16)Å, V=2466.5(4)Å(3) and Z=4. From the DSC and XRD results, Form B of benazepril hydrochloride could be transformed into Form A after heating treatment.

CONCLUSIONForm A and Form B of benazepril hydrochloride are both anhydrous and displayed different polymorphs due to different molecular configuration. Furthermore, Form A exhibits more stable than Form B at high temperatures.

Benzazepines ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Drug Stability ; Molecular Conformation

Adult ; Convergence, Ocular ; physiology ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myopia ; physiopathology ; Vision, Binocular ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo rapidly and sensitively detect the four virulence-associated factors of Streptococcus suis, a multiplex PCR was developed.

METHODSIn the process of this reaction, four distinct DNA targets were amplified. One target was based on the serotype 2 (and 1/2) specific cps gene and the others were based on Streptococcus suis mrp, epf (epf*) and sly gene, encoding the MRP, EF(EF*) and Sly proteins of Streptococcus suis. 72 isolates, which including 48 strains of Streptococcus suis and 24 strains of negative control, and 49 clinical specimens were detected by the multiplex PCR assay.

RESULTSAll PCR products were detected by electrophoresis on 1.2% agarose gels. With the 48 Streptococcus suis strains, the positive detection rates of cps2+, mrp+, epf+, epf*+ and sly+ were 16/48, 14/48, 12/48, 3/48 and 26/48,respectively. The results were confirmed by bacteriological examination. There were no specific amplification products including 49 clinical specimens and 24 negative control strains.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that multiplex PCR was a highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of virulence-associated factors of streptococcus suis.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Streptococcus suis ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Virulence Factors ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe number of Clara cells and the Clara cell 16-kDa protein (CC16) levels of the lung decrease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant and can reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD. But the exact mechanism is unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of NAC on Clara cells in rats with cigarette smoke exposure.

METHODSEighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 12 exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) thrice a day, 10 cigarettes for 30 minutes each time for 1 week, without (CS group) or with (CS + NAC group) oral intake of NAC 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), and another 6 rats exposed to fresh air (control group). Clara cells were observed by an electron microscope. The mRNA expression of CC16 and CC16 protein in lungs were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry respectively. The glutathion (GSH) level in plasma and lung tissue were tested by fluorimetry assay.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the pathologic score of small airways significantly increased in the CS exposed rats (20.3 +/- 14.7 vs. 53.7 +/- 11.5, P < 0.05). The Clara cell particles in cytoplasm decreased in the CS group (P < 0.05). The percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles in the CS group (27.8 +/- 4.3 and 29.5 +/- 2.4 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) significantly decreased as compared with the control group (37.1 +/- 3.8 and 43.8 +/- 5.8 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in GSH level ((181 +/- 26) nmol/L in the control group vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) between the two groups. After treatment with NAC, the pathologic score of small airways (24.1 +/- 17.5) decreased (P < 0.05). Clara cell particles in cytoplasm of Clara cells increased and GSH level in plasma ((213 +/- 40) nmol/L vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) increased too (P < 0.05), while the increase in the proportions of CC16 positive cells in bronchioles (30.1 +/- 6.4 and 34.3 +/- 6.3 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) did not reach the statistical significance (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression of CC16 mRNA among the three groups. Correlation analysis indicated that the percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles negatively correlated with the pathologic score of small airways (r = -0.592, P < 0.05), but not with GSH level.

CONCLUSIONSOne-week CS exposure decreased the number of Clara cells and the expression of CC16 in bronchioles in rats. NAC might provide protection of the Clara cells from oxidative damage and possibly through the elevation of the synthesis and secretion of CC16. These data indicate that NAC decreases airway inflammation induced by CS via induction of CC16.

Acetylcysteine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bronchioles ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorometry ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Uteroglobin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clarify the gene type of Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) from Shandong province.

METHODSNested-polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to identify the gene type of 23 isolated Ot strains, 2 pools of homogenized leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare, 10 blood specimens of scrub typhus patients, and at the same time to compare with the international reference strains Gilliam, Karp, Kato. Sequencing analysis of the Sta56 gene was also used to further identify the precise gene types.

RESULTSOf the 35 samples, 33 had the same products in the amplification of template Ot-DNA. They all belonged to Kawasaki strains endemic in Japan while 2 (FXS4 and LHGM2 strain) belonged to Karp strains. The Sta56 gene sequence homologies to Japan Kawasaki strain of the 2 representative strains (B-16 and FXS2 strain) of the 33 samples were 94.22%, 95.21% respectively, but they were less than 75.87% to other prototype strains; The homologies to Karp strain of FXS4 and LHGM2 strain were 83.03%, 96.45% respectively. B-16 and FXS2 strain were designated as of types strain Japan Kawasaki, FXS4 and LHGM2 as Karp strain.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the dominant Ot strains in Shandong Province were similar to Kawasaki strains, but Karp strains also existed.

Animals ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mice ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Scrub Typhus ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Sequence Homology ; Serotyping

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Hangzhou area.

METHODSMale subjects (n=375) aged 18-70 years, attending the STD clinic were recruited. Urethral swabs were assessed for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the consensus primers MY09/11. HPV genotypes of positive PCR products were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphisms and direct sequence analysis.

RESULTSOf the 375 swabs collected, 305 (81.3%) yielded sufficient DNA for the subsequent HPV analysis. Among the 305 subjects, the prevalence of HPV was 13.8%. Nononcogenic HPV types were found in 8.5% (26/305) of subjects, oncogenic types in 4.3% (13/305), and multiple types in 1.0% (3/305). The prevalence of HPV infection was higher in subjects from urban area than in those from rural area (P < 0.05). The prevalence was also higher in those who received fewer years of education (P < 0.05) and those who had more sex partners (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHPV infection among men at high risk is not uncommon. The detection rate of HPV DNA is significantly related to some sociodemographic factors, such as residence, educational level and the number of sex partners.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Psychometrics ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the significance of modified pediatric early warning score (MPEWS) in emergency early warning triage and classification. Method Selecting ill children who came to emergency department from February of 2017 to January of 2018 as objects of study, and triage nurses of emergency department gave MPEWS to the sick children under the demand of the filed data collection. Furthermore, according to the five levels of disease severity classification, doctors gave the disease assessment and classification to the sick children, finding the relevance between the MPEWS and the severity of the disease.Result Consequently, there is a relevance between the MPEWS scores and the severity of the disease indeed (rs=-0.630, P ＜ 0.001). The data show that the higher of the scores, the lower disease level, and the higher severity of the disease. ROC areas under the curve of the subjects is 0.996, and the confidence interval is 0.993-0.999 (P ＜0.05). That indicates that MPEWS exists statistical significance of emergency children judgement. The optimal number is 4.5, the sensitivity is 96％, and the specificity is 99.9％.Conclusions MPEWS is valuable in emergency early warning triage, children emergency severity assessment and identifying critical ill children in time.