ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemic situation of brucellosis in Datong city, and to provide scientific evidence for making appropriate prevention and control measures. MethodsSurveillance data of human brucellosis in 7 countris and 4 districts in Datong city between 2006 and 2009 were collected, throng the national network straight quote system in an infectious diseases. Excel database was established and all data were statistically analyzed. Incidence of brucellosis in local population was analyzed. The regional distribution, time distribution,occupation, age and sex distribution were analyzed. Epidemic characteristics and trend of brucellosis in Datong city were summarized. Results A total of 5195 cases of brucellosis patients in Datong were found between 2006 and 2009, the average incidence rate was 57.51/10 million. All counties had the disease, and the onset of the disease mainly in the spring and summer. Most cases were young males. Farmer case was 81.67％(4243/5195) of the total patients. ConclusionsFrom 2006 to 2009, epidemic characteristic of Datong human brucellosis ishigh-low-high(incidence). We suggests the Department concerned to strengthen the prevention and control of the disease in some counties, focusing on spreading of disease prevention and control knowledge among farmers and increase their self-protection awareness.

Objective:To analyze the polymorphism in human cDNA sequence of prothymosin-?(ProT?)by sequencing analysis.Methods:The cDNA of human ProT? was amplified from cells of peripheral blood and cord blood by RT-PCR.The product of RT-PCR was purified and linked with vector pMD18-T.After cloning and sequencing,the sequence of ProT? cDNA was compared with the standard sequence to analyze the polymorphism in the ProT? cDNA sequence.Results:The cloned ProT? cDNA sequence was different from that of the standard.We found 2 kinds of variations:(1)The nucleotide in 107 position was varied and the nucleotides in 110-121 and 191-205 positions were deleted;(2)The nucleotide in 306 position was deleted,mainly in the 60-80 years old group.Conclusion:We have identified 2 kinds of variations in human ProT? cDNA,but the first 28 amino acid in the N-terminal of cDNA of human ProT? are not involved therefore the variations do not affect the function of human ProT?.

BACKGROUNDActivation in vitro of natural killer T (NKT) cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) and dendritic cells (DC) may affect the immunoregulatory role of NKT cells. This study was designed to compare the number of NKT cells in patients with SLE to the number in healthy volunteers and measure the cytokines secreted from these NKT cells in vitro.

METHODSThree sets of culture conditions using (i) α-GalCer, (ii) DC, or (iii) both α-GalCer and DC (α-GalCer+DC) were adopted to expand NKT cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with SLE and healthy volunteers. Flow cytometry was used to assess the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α produced by the Vα24(+)Vβ11(+) NKT cells.

RESULTSAfter 14 days in culture, the total cell count and percentage of Vα24(+)Vβ11(+) NKT cells were increased under all conditions but were highest in the α-GalCer+DC group. The level of IL-4 and IL-10 secreted by Vα24(+)Vβ11(+) NKT cells from patients with active SLE was found to be higher than that of inactive patients and the control group (P < 0.05), while the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were lower than those found in the inactive and control groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVα24(+)Vβ11(+) NKT cells showed the greatest expansion in vitro with α-GalCer and DC. Th2-type cytokines from Vα24(+)Vβ11(+) NKT cells are the predominant type in patients with SLE, while Th1 cytokines predominate in the control group. This evolution of NKT cell function during the progression of the disease may have important implications in understanding the mechanism of SLE and for the development of possible therapies using NKT cell agonists.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Galactosylceramides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; metabolism ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To survey knowledge of the local people's understanding of Brucellosis,and to explore the risk factors for brucellosis infection,and to determine the key issue of next comprehensive health promotion intervention.Methods Two counties,Yanggao and Guangling,which are old endemic areas with Brucellosis in history,and with epidemic rebounding in recent years,were selected.The survey was carried out by two stage stratified cluster sampling method.The questionnaires included respondents' demographic data(gender,age,education level,etc.),Brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as Brucellosis) knowledge of the investigation and behavior and attitude of people toward the measure for control of Brucellosis.Results A total of 5372 people were investigated in two counties of which 62.7％(3362/5372) of farmers.The investigated crowd had low culture level.The awareness of Brucellosis infection route of Yanggao and Guangling counties were 84.03％ (2379/2831) and 333％(847/2541 ).The average awareness of Brucellosis infection route was 18.60％(6001/32 260).In the investigation of knowledge on Brucellosis prevention of the two counties,29％ believed that it was necessary to wear gloves to process flow product,and 70％ of people answered do not know.For farmers on how to deal with dead animals,results showed that 79.1％(664/839) in Yanggao choose to sell dead animals to the market; 61.2％ (267/361) in Guangling choose to kill and bury,there were inappropriate treatment on handling of ill and dead animals in the two counties.Conclusions Spread of Brucellosis is caused mainly due to emphasis on the disease is not enough,and inappropriate handling of dead livestock.Measures like strengthening health education and behavioral intervention,increasing public awareness of the disease prevention and ability to change the incorrect way of life and cognitive concepts,can effectively reduce human infection and the spread of Brucellosis.

Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, which has antiretroviral, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the HBV DNA replication inhibition in the mouse model with betulinic acid. Hydrodynamic injection method via the tail vein with the Paywl. 3 plasmid was used to establish the animal mode (n = 15), and the mice were randomly divided into the PBS control group (n = 5), Betulinic acid treatment group (n = 5) and lamivudine control group (n = 5). The day after successful modeling , the mice would have taken Betulinic acid (100 mg x kg(-1)), lamivudine (50 mg x kg(-1)), PBS drugs orally, once daily for 7 days, blood samples were acquired from the orbital venous blood at 3, 5, 7 days after the administering, HBsAg and HBeAg in serum concentration were measured by ELISA and the mice were sacrificed after 7 days, HBV DNA southern detections were used with part of mice livers. The results showed that betulinic acid significantly inhibited the expression of HbsAg in the mice model at the fifth day compared with the control group, and there was no significant differences between the effects of lamivudine and the PBS control group; both the betulinic acid and lamivudine groups had no significant inhibition for the HBeAg expression; the HBV DNA expressions of the liver tissue from the betulinic acid and lamivudine groups were inhibited compared with the control group. Taken together, these results reveal betulinic acid can inhibit the HBsAg expression and replication of the liver HBV DNA in the mouse model.
Acute Disease ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA Replication ; drug effects ; DNA, Viral ; biosynthesis ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective:To investigate the influence of metastasis suppressor gene KAI1 on the proliferation,invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma cell line AN3CA and HEC-1-B.Methods:The KAI1 cDNA was transfected into human endometrial carcinoma cells AN3CA and HEC-1-B via Lipofectamine 2000.The expression of KAI1 protein was ex- amined by Western blotting and flow cytometry before and after transfection.The proliferation ability of AN3CA and HEC- 1-B cells was observed by MTT assay and anchorage-independent growth assay.The changes of cell invasive ability were studied by transwell assays.Results:Stable expression of KAI1 protein was observed in AN3CA and HEC-1-B cells and on their surface after transfection with pcDNA3-KAI1 plasmid.Cells transfected with blank plasmid formed more colonies and had a larger size,with the colony forming rates being(54.2?3.1)% for AN3CA cells and(52.7?4.3)% for HEC- 1- B cells;the doubling time of AN3CA and HEC-1-B cells were 21.3 h and 20.1 h,respectively.Cells transfected with pcDNA3-KAI1 formed less colonies and had a smaller size,with the colony forming rates being(37.4?5.1)% for AN3CA cells and(32.1?3.7)% for HEC-1-B cells;the doubling time of AN3CA and HEC-1-B cells were 43.7h and 45.2 h,respectively.The cell proliferation abilities and colony-forming ability were significantly different between the two groups(P

Objective:To analyze the application effects of ultrasound-guided fascia illiaca compartment block (FICB) and continuous adductor canal block (CACB) on analgesia after knee arthroplasty.Methods:84 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Department of Anesthesiology, Orthopaedic Hospital of Sichuan, from May 2016 to April 2018 were randomly divided into observation group and control group, 42 cases in each group. The observation group was given ultrasound-guided FICB. The control group was given ultrasound-guided CACB. The postoperative analgesia effects [visual analogue scale (VAS) in rest and exercise states], major neurosensory block rate, stress response (cortisol, glucose level), muscle strength of quadriceps femoris and complications in the two groups were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in VAS scores at rest stage between the two groups at any time point after operation ( P>0.05). The VAS scores at exercise state of the observation group were lower than those of the control group at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after operation ( P<0.01). The block rate of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the observation group was higher than that in the control group at 5 min, 10 min, and 30 min after block ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the block rates of femoral nerves between the two groups at each above time point ( P>0.05). The levels of blood cortisol and blood glucose in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 24 h and 48 h after operation ( P<0.05). The muscle strength of quadriceps femoris in the observation group was lower than that in the control group at 24 h and 48 h after operation ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Both FICB and CACB can significantly improve resting pain and femoral nerves in patients after total knee arthroplasty. FICB has advantages in blocking lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, controlling postoperative exercise pain and reducing stress response, while CACB has better effects on improving muscle strength of quadriceps femoris. The safety of the two groups is comparable. And each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of acrylamide on the permeability of blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) and tight junction protein ZO-1 of choroid plexus in rats and to provide a theoretical basis for explaining the mechanism of nerve injury induced by acrylamide.

METHODSThirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ACR and control groups. ACR group was exposed to 20 mg/kg ACR daily for 5 days a week by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 4 weeks. Control group was exposed to normal saline. The neurobehavioral tests (including sensatory and motor functions) were performed every week. At the end of exposure, Evan blue (EB) and Sodium fluorescein (NaFI) content in rat CSF were detected for determining the BCB permeability, Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of ZO-1 mRNA in the epithelium cells of choroid plexus, and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was utilized to observe the distribution of ZO-1 protein.

RESULTSNeurobehavioral tests showed that the tail-flick latencies of ACR group were 27.77% and 53.71% as long as control group in the 3rd week and 4th week, respectively (P < 0.05). The hind lamb splay distances of ACR group were 131.76% and 153.77% as long as control group in the 3rd week and 4th week, respectively (P < 0.05). Evan blue (EB) and Sodium fluorescein (NaFI) content of ACR group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.05). In the 4th week, the expression level of ZO-1 mRNA in ACR group was 0.21 +/- 0.07, which was significantly lower than that (0.31 +/- 0.11) in control group (P < 0.05). In the 4th week, the ZO-1 protein expression level of choroid plexus in ACR group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcrylamide could increased the BCB permeability of rats, which may be involved in the central nervous injury induced by ACR.

Acrylamide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; Choroid Plexus ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo generate rescued viruses with deletion mutation of capsid protein from dengue virus type 2 isolated in China (DEN2-43).

METHODSOn the basis of infectious full-length cDNA clone pD212 of DEN2-43 strain virus, the deletion mutants were constructed by fusion PCR, from which the rescued viruses with deletion mutation of capsid protein were generated by transcription in vitro and electroporation.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONSequence analysis demonstrated that the deletion mutations had been successfully inserted into the rescued viruses obtained. These mutant viruses may hold the key for elucidating the effects of deletion mutation of capsid protein on the biological characteristics of dengue virus.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dengue Virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Electroporation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Sequence Deletion ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ; Transcription, Genetic ; Virus Replication ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe pathophysiology of beta-thalassemia is the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain which leads to a series of clinical symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Scientists continuously try to explore gene-activated drugs to increase the level of non-alpha globin chain or decrease the level of alpha globin chain in the treatment of beta-thalassemia. To probe into the effects on globin-gene expression of meisoindigo (Me) in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood, so as to provide the theoretical basis for applying Me in the treatment of beta-thalassemia.

METHODSBy using the two-step liquid culture of erythroid progenitor cells and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and by using alpha mRNA as an inner control, the level of gamma mRNA and beta mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of 11 patients with severe beta-thalassemia and 6 normal volunteers were measured under the effect of different concentration (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) of Me.

RESULTS(1) No statistic significance was found in the ratio of beta/alpha mRNA by Me in cultured cells from both normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. (2) Me can significantly increase the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and (beta + gamma)/alpha mRNA (that is non-alpha/alpha mRNA) in cultured cells from normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.31 - 0.45 times and the ratio of non-alpha mRNA/alpha mRNA increased 0.21 - 0.32 times in Me induced cells from normal individuals. No significant result was observed among the different concentrations of Me (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) in normal individuals. With the increasing of Me concentrations, the ratios of gamma/alpha mRNA and alpha/alpha mRNA were increased in cultured cells from beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.33 - 1.17 times and the ratio of non-alpha/alpha mRNA increased 0.25 - 0.89 times in Me induced cells from beta-thalassemia. There was no significant difference between the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L concentration in beta-thalassemia. However, there was significant difference between the concentrations of 10 micro mol/L and the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L in beta-thalassemia. (3) The increase of the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in beta-thalassemia was higher than that in normal individual with induction by Me with a higher concentration (10 micro mol/L).

CONCLUSIONMe can raise the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of both normal individual and beta-thalassemia in the level of transcription, which can improve the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain. So Me has a latent value in the therapy of beta-thalassemia.

Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Globins ; genetics ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction