Nisin is a cationic antimicrobial peptide produced by some lactic acid bacteria. However, expression of nisin resistance protein (NSR) could confer nisin resistance on some non-nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis. To deeply elucidate molecular mechanism underlying NSR-mediated nisin resistance, an NSR mutant with N-terminal 38 amino acid residues deleted (NSR?38) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli by fusion with GST. Purified NSR?38 was obtained through glutathione (GSH) affinity chromatography followed by cleavage of GST tag. Putative proteolytic activity of NSR?38 was determined in vitro against nisin. Antimicrobial activity analysis revealed that nisin lost its bactericidal activity after incubation with NSR?38. Further reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis indicated that NSR?38 displayed proteolytic activity against nisin, thus inactivating the antimicrobial peptide. The current study paves the way for in-depth functional studies on NSR.

Objective To observe the expression of neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α3 (α3nAChR) and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2),c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 kinases of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y overexposed to fluoride,and try to investigate the molecular mechanism of cell damage caused by overexposure of fluoride.Methods The SH-SY5Y cell with low expression of α3nAChR suppressed by silence interference RNA served as α3nAChR silence group;the normal SH-SY5Y cell served as control group,and the effect of silencing of αt3nAChR gene in SHSY5Y was detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR;SH-SY5Y cell was treated with different concentrations of fluoride (0.000,0.005,0.050,0.500,1.000,2.500,5.000 mmol/L),the safe concentration of fluoride in SHSY5Y cell was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay;the SH-SY5Y cell of control group and α3nAChR silence group were treated with 4.000 mmol/L fluoride for 0,4,8,12,24,36,48 h according to the results of MTT assay;the expression of ERK1/2,JNK,p38 kinases of MAPK pathway in SH-SY5Y at protein levels was measured by Western blotting.Results The expression of α3nAChR mRNA (0.04 ± 0.03) and protein (12.0 ± 2.5) in α3nAChR silence group was decreased significantly compared with those of control group (1.00 ± 0.11,100.0 ± 11.3,t =24.58,28.80,all P ＜ 0.05).The viability of SH-SY5Y cell treated with 5.000 mmol/L fluoride (0.53 ± 0.15) was decreased significantly compared with that of SH-SY5Y cell treated with 0.000 mmol/L fluoride (1.05 ± 0.05,P ＜ 0.05).The increased expression of phospho-ERK1/2 was found in α3nAChR silence group and control group incubated with fluoride with time prolonged,and the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 increased significantly at time points 24,36 and 48 h (188.33 ± 7.33,200.00 ± 10.01,213.33 ± 11.55;125.33 ± 5.69,136.00 ± 4.52,155.33 ± 6.51) compared to 0 h in the same groups (100.00 ± 0.00,100.00 ± 0.00,all P ＜ 0.05),and the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 was higher significantly in α3nAChR silence group than those of control group (t =9.26,7.63,5.72,all P ＜ 0.05);no change of expression of total-ERK1/2 in the two groups was found with the passage of time.The gradually increased expression of phospho-JNK was found in α3nAChR silence group and control group,among which,the expression of phospho-JNK in o3nAChR silence group at time points 12,24,36 and 48 h (154.00 ± 6.25,149.00 ± 5.57,156.00 ± 6.08,141.67 ± 2.52) and in control group at 8,12,24,36,48 h (133.33 ± 10.69,173.00 ± 4.00,175.00 ± 11.79,200.67 ± 11.93,200.33 ± 18.58) was compared to those at 0 h in the same groups (100.00 ± 0.00,100.00 ± 0.00),and the difference was significant (all P ＜ 0.05);the higher expression of phospho-JNK was found in α3nAChR silence group other than control group at 8,12,24,36,48 h (t =-4.28,-5.02,-2.89,-8.33,-6.18,all P ＜ 0.05);no change of expression of total-JNK was found in the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The increased expression of phospho-p38 was detected in control group at time points 24,36 and 48 h (120.33 ± 4.51,122.00 ± 7.55,119.67 ± 7.57) compared to 0 h in the same groups (100.00 ± 0.00,all P ＜ 0.05),and the expression of phospho-p38 was significantly higher than that in α3nAChR silence group at the same time points (93.33 ± 9.61,94.00 ± 5.01,98.33 ± 5.69,t =-4.01,-6.73,-5.59,all P ＜ 0.05);no change of expression of total-p38 was found in the two types of SH-SY5Y cells treated with fluoride (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion When SH-SY5Y cells are exposed to fluoride;activation of ERK1/2 may be not depend on α3nAChR;α3nAChR may have protected the cell from apoptotic injury caused by activation of JNK pathway,and the activation of p38 may be depend on nAChRα3.

BACKGROUND:There are less reports on the evaluation of plantar pressure distribution in knee osteoarthritis patients using modern gait analysis, and moreover, the database of characteristic plantar pressure has not been established in patients with osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chinese massage and functional exercise on knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:Forty patients with left knee osteoarthritis who were eligible for the inclusive criteria were randomized into two groups, with 20 in each group. Control group was given conventional treatment, and treatment group was given Chinese massage combined with functional exercise. Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and gait parameters were measured and compared between two groups before and at 3 months after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment, the two groups both had evident efficacy in pain relief during walking, and there was no statisticaly difference between the two groups. There was a significant difference in the knee range of motion in the patients in the treatment group when going upstairs and downstairs as wel as during joint flexion before and after treatment, but no changes occurred in the control group. After treatment, the range of motion during joint flexion was better in the treatment group than the control group, but there was no difference in the sweling reduction between the two groups. In addition, the treatment group had a higher Japanese Orthopaedic Association score after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference in the control group. Gait analysis showed that there were improvements in the percentage of contact time, parameters during stance phase and peak plantar pressure in the two groups, but there was no significant difference before and after treatment. Foot axis angle in the treatment group was improved significantly, which was significantly better than that in the control group. Al the indexes in the treatment group were improved a lot, but did not reach the normal.

Objective This paper summarizes the safety management of 13 ARDS patients resulting from influenza A (H7N9) virus infection with daily awakening during analgesia and sedation treatment.Methods Safety management was given to 13 ARDS patients with influenza A (H7N9) virus infection during analgesia and sedation treatment.Results No serious complications or adverse events occurred during interruption period of analgesia and sedation.Conclusions To give safety management of daily awakening to patients with influenza A (H7N9) virus infection during analgesia and sedation treatment can increase treatment effect and facilitate early recovery of patients.

In organic chemistry teaching,we discuss with our colleagues some aspects such as how to stimulate students'interest in learning to make them have a sense of innovation,how to create the environment of question to form innovative thinking,how to establish the concept of space and develop their innovative thinking,how to conduct exploring experiment to foster their capacity of innovation.

BACKGROUND: Many scholars have reported the study of genetic polymorphism of short tandem repeat loci in different countries, areas, and population. But what is the genetic polymorphism of short tandem repeats loci of Chinese Korean is still unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the distribution of the genetic polymorphism of D16S539 D7S820, D13S317, CSF1PO, TPOX and TH01 in Chinese Korean, obtain the crowded genetic data of corresponding polymorphism loci.DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: Staff Room of Biology, Department of Detecting and Analyzing DNA, Mudanjiang Medical College.MATERIALS: Periphoral blood samples from 100 unrelated individuals in Korean of Mudanjiang were chosen from January 2001 to February 2001.METHODS: Genotype detection was performed in one hundred unrelated individuals with polymerase chain reaction amplification fragment length polymorphism analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sample genotype of D16S539,D7S820, D13S317, CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1 6 short tandem repeat loci.TH01 locus.CONCLUSION: The genotypes distributions of the 6 short tandem repeat (STR) in Chinese Korean met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and have higher heterozygosities. The gene frequency and other data obtained can provide the basis for studying the crowded genetics of Chinese Korean.

Objective To study the clinical value of tamsulosin in prevention of urinary retention after radical hysterectomy.Methods Sixty-six patients after radical hysterectomy were enrolled in this study, and divided into two groups in random.Thirty-three cases in the treatment group were treated with tamsulosin 0.2 mg once every night,3 days before the catheter was drawn.While 33 cases in the control group only with placebo.Catheter keeping days, residual urine volume at first extraction,the rate of urinary retention and urinary tract infection,hospitalization time and drug adverse reaction were compared in two groups.Results Catheter keeping days and hospitalization time were shorter in the treatment group than those in the control group(P< 0.05).The residual urine volume at first extraction was(38.2 ± 5.6) ml in the treatment group and (168.5 ± 11.8) ml in the control group,there was significant difference between two groups (P< 0.05).The rate of urinary retention was 18.2%(6/33) in the treatment group and 36.4%(12/33) in the control group,there was significant difference between two groups (P <0.05).There was no adverse reaction resulted from tamsulosin in the treatment group.Conclusion Tamsulosin is an effective drug which could prevent and treat the urinary retention after radical hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVETo examine the role of lactoferrin (LF) on Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

METHODSPrimary hPDLCs were cultured by tissue block enzymolytic method. Cells obtained from four passages were identified and used in this experiment. Cells without stimulation served as the controls and cells treated with LPS (0.1 microg x mL(-1)) comprised the LPS group. The LPS + LF group was pretreated with LPS (0.1 microg x mL(-1)) for 2 h, and then treated with LF (10 microg x mL(-1)). Four hours after LF stimulation, the mRNA expression levels of TLR4 were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TLR4 was observed by cell immunofluorescence staining after LF stimulation of 24 hours.

RESULTSTLR4 mRNA expression in the LPS + LF group was significantly more decreased than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05), but exhibited no difference with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Cell immunofluorescence staining showed that the protein expression of TLR4 in the LPS + LF group was significantly more decreased than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05), but exhibited no difference with that in the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLF can decrease the expression of TLR4 stimulated by LPS in hPDLCs, thus presenting potential application for controlling the TLR4 immune pathway of periodontitis.

Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontitis ; Toll-Like Receptor 4

OBJECTIVETo analyze genetic polymorphism of D16S539 D7S820 D13S317 CSF1PO TPOX and TH01 in Chinese Korean.

METHODSOne hundred unrelated individuals were analyzed by PCR amplification fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSSix alleles and 18 genotypes of D16S539 locus, 7 alleles and 22 genotypes of D7S820 locus, 7 alleles and 23 genotypes of D13S317 locus, 6 alleles and 16 genotypes of CSF1PO locus, 6 alleles and 11 genotypes of TPOX locus, 5 alleles and 12 genotypes of TH01 locus.

CONCLUSIONThe genotype distribution of all the 6 short tandem repeat(STR) in Chinese Korean met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and have higher heterozygosities. The data obtained can be used in human identity and paternity testing, and in other genetic researches and population investigation.

Alleles ; China ; DNA ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; ethnology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

Objective:In order to develop an appropriate care service system and care security system for the elderly in urban communities, it is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs and utilization of care services, as well as the cost of care and the factors that influence it.This will provide a theoretical basis for developing effective countermeasures.Methods:A stratified random cluster sampling method was utilized to conduct a questionnaire survey on individuals aged 60 and above in the Xuzhou urban community.The survey aimed to gain insight into the needs, utilization, and expenditure of care services for the elderly.To analyze the factors influencing care expenditure, a single factor χ2 test and Tobit regression model were employed. Results:In our survey of 1 623 elderly individuals, it was found that 32.4%(526 people)had been bedridden for more than one day in the past year and were unable to care for themselves.Of the elderly who are bedridden, 393 individuals(74.7%)have received care services from professional institutions, with a focus on medical care(312 people, 79.4%)and rehabilitation care(95 people, 24.2%).In terms of financial expenditures, 91.7% of respondents(1 489 people)reported spending zero yuan in the past year, while 6.0%(96 people)spent between 1 and 4 999 yuan.Only 1.0%(17 people)reported spending between 5 000 and 9 999 yuan, and 1.3%(21 people)spent 10 000 yuan or more.The findings from the univariate analysis revealed that various factors, including marriage, age, medical expenses, and life satisfaction had a significant impact on the care expenses of the elderly(all P<0.05).Furthermore, the Tobit regression model demonstrated that certain variables were particularly influential in determining care expenses.Specifically, elderly individuals with higher monthly income(Me=3.114), advanced age(Me=3.458), knowledge of care insurance(Me=7.647), disability(Me=10.998), no spouse(Me=14.387), and dementia(Me=20.473)had significantly higher care expenses. Conclusions:The survey conducted in Xuzhou suggests that the demand for care services is high, yet the utilization rate remains low, leading to a significant burden of care costs.To address these challenges, we must prioritize the care needs of disabled, mentally retarded, and advanced-age elderly individuals.We should also focus on enhancing medical and rehabilitation care services, improving the overall quality of elderly care, and promoting the development of a comprehensive elderly care service system and care security system that caters to the specific needs and financial constraints of the elderly population.