Objective:To construct and express the fusion protein between ZZ affinity peptide and alkaline phosphatase and examine its biological activities.Methods:The alkaline phosphatase gene was cloned into pEZZ 18 vector containing ZZ peptide gene resulted in the pEZZ-AP recombinant vector.Then the vector was transformed and expressed in E.coli DH5α.And HisTrap affinity chromatography was employed to separate and purify the target protein.After analyzed by Western blot , ZZ-AP fusion protein was applied to immunocytochemistry as an alterative second antibody.Results:The result of SDS-PAGE showed that the fusion protein with a relative molecular weight was consistent with the theoretical values (62 kD).The fusion protein has rabbit IgG-binding ability and en-zymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase ,those were validated in Western blot;and it produced a good signal that was comparable in its staining pattern to that generated with goat anti-rabbit IgG-AP in immunocytochemistry.Conclusion: The ZZ-AP fusion protein was constructed successfully ,it has rabbit IgG-binding ability and enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase.We anticipate that the ZZ-AP fusion protein has a potential application in immunoassay field.

Objective:To Studythe extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) changes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to study thecorrelation of CD147 level and athero-sclerosis in SLE.Methods:Eighty patients with SLE in total were divided into intimal thickening group, (24 cases, group A) and normal intimal group (56 cases, group B) according to carotid intimamedia thickness (IMT) checked by carotid ultrasonography. In addition, their age, bodymass index, blood pressure, seral total cholesterol (TC), high density liptein cholestero (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholestero (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), urinary protein quantitative test(24 h), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), anticardiolipin antibody, serum creatinine level, course of the disease, and treatment regimens were collected. Thirty-five healthy people were set as the control group (group C). The levels of serum CD147 were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) in 3 groups. The correlation between the serum CD147 level of SLE patients and atherosclerosis was analyzed. The statistical analysis was carried out with independent t-test, chi-square test, analysis of variance, Spearman correlation and Logistic regression. Results:① Levels of serum CD147 in group A [ (238±30) pg/ml] were significantly higher than those in group B [(198±30) pg/ml] and group C [(150±26) pg/ml, F=67.908, P<0.01]. ② Body mass index, hypertensive ratio,total blood cholesterol,urine protein quantitative test (24 h), systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), serum CD147 index in group A were significantly higher than those in group B ( P<0.05). ③ In Logistic regression analysis, serum CD147 [ OR (95% CI)=1.039(1.014, 1.065), P<0.05], urine protein quantitative (24 h) [ OR (95% CI)=2.598(1.033, 6.534), P<0.05] were independently relevant factors affecting carotid artery IMT. Conclusion:Serum CD147 is an independent risk factor for carotid intimamedia thickness in SLE patients.

Objective To investigate the assoiation between rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and the pres- ence of the shared epitope(SE)of HLA-DRBI gene in Han nationality of Neimenggu population.Methods The method of DNA amplification with sequence-specific primers(PCR-SSP)was used to determine 17 alleles of HLA-DRB1*01,*04,*10 genotypes in 80 RA patients and 110 healthy controls from the Han nationality population in Neimenggu.Results The frequencies of SE were significantly increased in RA patiens com- pared with controls(48.8%:20%,P＜0.01).Epitope analysis revealed that the most predominant allele subtype of DR4(*0405)was usceptible sequence in Neimenggu patients with RA(28.8%:12%,P＜0.01).No statisticall significant difference of other subtypes of DR1,DR4 nd DR10 was noted including DRB1*0101(2.5%:0.9%), *0102(2.5%:0),*0103(1.25%:0.9%),*0104(2.5%:0),*0401(6.25:1.8%),*0402(3.75%:0.9%),*0403 (1.25%:1.8%),*0404(2.5%:1.8%),*0406(2.5%:2.7%),*0407(1.25%:0.9%),*0408(3.75 %:0.9%),*0409 (1.25%:0),*0410(2.5%:0.9%),*0411(0:0)and *1001(8.75%:4.5%)respectively.Logistic regression analy- sis showed that the disease of patients with SE homozgote was more severe than that of patients with heterozy- gote(P＜0.01).Conclusion The results suggest that there is an association between SE of HLA-DRBI gene and susceptibility and severity of RA,especially,HLA-DR4 subtypes are strongly associated with RA in Han nationality in Neimenggu population.

Objective To study the interobserver variabilities and the differential diagnosis value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-Ultrasound (BI-RADS-US) lexicon for small ( ≤ 2 cm) breast nodules. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2011, 289 patients with small (≤2 cm) breast nodules (n=317) were included. According to sizes, the lesions were divided into two groups, i.e., 0-1 cm (n=160) group and 1-2 cm (n=157)group. Each lesion was described independently by 3 radiologists using BI-RADS-US lexicon. Interobserver variabilities were assessed by Kappa test. Chi-square test was used to compare the frequency difference of the descriptors between malignant and benign lesions. Sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negtive predictive value were calculated. Results (1)Moderate agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin, echo pattern, surrounding tissue and calciifcations (κ=0.44, 0.57, 0.48, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.57) in 0-1 cm group. Substantial agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin and echo pattern (κ=0.65, 0.61, 0.64 and 0.63) in 1-2 cm group. (2)Irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo and microcalciifcations were more frequently found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 0-1 cm group [52.3% (34/65) vs 20.0% (19/95), 38.5%(25/65) vs 13.7%(13/95), 75.4%(49/65) vs 32.6%(31/95), 18.6%(12/65) vs 0 (0/95) and 10.8%(7/65) vs 2.1%(2/95);χ2=18.19, 13.08, 28.22, 16.39 and 3.95;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.047]. Similarly, irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were signiifcantly more frequent found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 1-2 cm group [74.2%(49/66) vs 12.1%(11/91), 36.3%(24/66) vs 5.5%(5/91), 93.9%(62/66) vs 22.0%(20/91), 37.9%(25/66) vs 3.3%(3/91), 30.3%(20/66) vs 7.7%(7/91), 15.2%(10/66) vs 0 (0/91) and 16.7%(11/66) vs 4.4%(4/91);χ2=62.59, 24.21, 79.40, 31.22, 13.73, 12.30 and 6.67;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.010]. (3)In both groups, a good sensitivity was demonstrated (75.4%&93.9%) when using the non-circumscribed margin as a criterion for malignancy, and high speciifcity was achieved in two groups (80.0%-100%and 87.9%-100%) when other descriptors including irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were used as differentiation criteria. Conclusions Good interobserver agreement can be achieved using the BI-RADS-US lexicon in the diagnosis of small breast nodules. Non-circumscribed margin are proved as the most valuable sign for screening malignant breast lesions ≤ 2 cm. High speciifcity was found for irregular shape, nonparallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, Cooper′s ligament changes and microcalciifcations, which can help biopsy and preoperative diagnosis.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes of children abnormal sweating;To investigate the correlation between diseases and primary and secondary syndromes. Methods Through a multi-center epidemiology investigation, 400 cases were collected to statistically analyze the five TCM syndromes of children abnormal sweating, and characteristics of each syndrome were analyzed. Results In the 400 cases of children abnormal sweating, there were 129 cases (32.25%) of dysfunction of lung-wei pattern, 50 cases (12.50%) of nutrient qi and defensive qi discordance, 84 cases (21.00%) of qi and yin deficiency pattern, 57 cases (14.25%) of dampness heat forced steamed pattern, and 80 cases (20.00%) of qi and yang deficiency pattern. Spontaneous sweating and night sweating were found in the four patterns besides qi and yin deficiency pattern, and night sweating can be mainly found in qi and yin deficiency. Each type is consistent in the syndrome differentiation and cluster analysis. Conclusion Spontaneous sweating and night sweating, each has the certification of yin and yang. Spontaneous sweating can be caused by yin deficiency while night sweating can be caused by yang deficiency. Each pattern of children abnormal sweating has its own syndrome characteristic, which can provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between DJ?1 and diabetes mellitus ( DM )?caused influence on cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning in rats. Methods Adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 220-250 g, were used in the study. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin 60 mg∕kg and confirmed by blood glucose≥16.7 mmol∕L. Forty?eight rats with DM were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table:sham operation group ( group DM?S ) , myocardial ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) group ( DM?IR ) and ischemic postconditioning group (DM?IPO group). Another 48 normal rats received the equal volume of citrate buffer solution instead and served as control. Those rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group) , myocardial I∕R group ( IR group) and ischemic postconditioning group (IPO group). At 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection, myocardial I∕R was produced by 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning was induced by 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s limb ischemia at the end of 30 min limb ischemia. At 120 min of reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed, and hearts were removed for determination of myocardial infarction size ( using TTC ) , and expression of DJ?1, phosphatase and tensin homologue ( PTEN) protein, and phosphorylated Akt ( p?Akt) in myocardial tissues ( by Western blot) . Results The infarction size was significantly increased in diabetic and nondiabetic rats during myocardial I∕R. The expression of DJ?1, PTEN protein and p?Akt was significantly higher during myocardial I∕R in nondiabetic rats, and the expression of PTEN protein and p?Akt was up?regulated, and no significant change was found in DJ?1 expression during myocardial I∕R in diabetic rats. Ischemic postconditioning reduced infarction size during myocardial I∕R and up?regulated the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt, and down?regulated the expression of PTEN protein in nondiabetic rats, but not in diabetic rats. Compared with nondiabetic rats, the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt was down?regulated, and the expression of PTEN protein was up?regulated after ischemic postconditioning in diabetic rats. Conclusion The mechanism by which DM abolishes cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning is associated with down?regulation of DJ?1 expression in rats.

Objective To investigate the expression of interferon-induced protein 44 (IFI44) gene in the leukocytes of the peripheral blood samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the relationship between the expression level and disease activity. Methods Mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood samples from 100 SLE patients were compared with those of 40 disease controls and 40 healthy donors (HD) and the expression of the IFI44 was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR.Comparisons between groups were performed with ANOVA, and the correlation analysis between the level of expression was higher in SLE patients than disease controls and healthy donors (26.8±5.3, 7.4±2.7, 5.2±2.0,respectively) (P=0.0012, P=0.005), but no difference was found between disease controls and healthy donors. Mild disease activity and the SLE patients with stable disease (63.1±22.4, 28.0±7.2, 9.2±1.8, respectively)and 24 hours urine protein level (r=0.42, P=0.000). Conclusion IFI44 is demonstrated to be highly expressed in SLE patients. The level of IFI44 may be a promising candidate biomarker for identifying SLE activity.

Endophytic fungi were isolated from Macleaya cordata growing in Dabie Mountain by agar-block method, and then the endophytic fungi were grouped into different types based on their morphological characteristics, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were employed to determine whether the metabolic substances contained sanguinarine or not, and then preliminarily identified by morphological method. The results showed that the leaves hosted the largest number of endophytes (96 isolates) followed by the stems (57 isolates) and finally the roots (28 isolates), respectively. Based on morphological characteristics the endophytic fungi were grouped into 26 types in our study. TLC and HPLC results showed that there was sanguinarine in the metabolic substances of BLH 51 strain. According to the morphological characteristic, the BLH 51 strain was identified as Fusarium proliferatum. All these indicated that the medicinal plant M. cordata harbors abundant endophytes, which could be a new source for the search of active secondary metabolites.
Benzophenanthridines ; metabolism ; Endophytes ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Isoquinolines ; metabolism ; Papaveraceae ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Plant Leaves ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; Plant Stems ; microbiology

Objective To evaluate the mechanism of reduction of protection induced by hypoxic postconditioning (HPO) in diabetic myocardiocytes subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R),and the relationship with DJ-1 expression.Methods H9c2 cells cultured in normal culture atmosphere were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=36 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),group H/R,group HPO,plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection group (group D),plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection + H/R group (group DH),and plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection + H/R + HPO group (group DHH).H/R was induced by 4 h of hypoxia followed by 2 h of reoxygenation.H9c2 cells were cultured in high glucose culture medium (30 mmol/L) for 48 h in C,H/R and HPO groups.H/R model was established in H/R and HPO groups.HPO was induced by 3 cycles of 5 min reoxygenation and 5 min hypoxia before the onset of reoxygenation in group HPO.In D,DH and DHH groups,the plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene (pEX-2-EGFP-DJ-1) was transfected into the cells,and then the cells were cultured in high glucose culture medium and subjected to H/R and HPO,respectively.At 2 h of reoxygenation,the cell survival rate was measured using the cell counting kit-8 assay,and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,the autophagosomes were examined with a transmission electron microscope,and the expression of DJ-1 and p62 and ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ) in cells were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the cell survival rate and DJ-1 expression were significantly decreased,and the LDH activity was significantly increased in H/R and HPO groups (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between H/R and HPO groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group D,the cell survival rate was significantly decreased,and the LDH activity was significantly increased in group DH (P＜0.01).Compared with group DH,the cell survival rate,the number of autophagosomes and LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ ratio were significantly increased,and the LDH activity and p62 expression were significantly decreased in group DHH (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between H/R and DH groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of reduction of protection induced by HPO in diabetic myocardiocytes subjected to H/R is related to high glucose-induced inhibition of DJ-1 expression and decrease in autophagy.