Objective To investigate the effect of simulated microgravity on the proliferation and differentiation of the human megakaryocyte cells in vitro. Methods The fourth generation rotating cell culture system (RCCS-4) was used to generate the simulated microgravity environment. The cell viability was assessed by trypan blue staining method. The proliferation of cells was assessed by cell counting method and CCK8 method. The CD41+/CD61+ cells rate and the cells cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of thrombopoietin receptor (c-mpl) and transcription factors were detected with RT-PCR. Results After 24, 48, 72 h, culture under simulated microgravity resulted in a significant decrease in the cell number , proliferative activity, cells in the G2/M phase and levels of c-mpl mRNA expression in comparison with that under the normal gravity (P < 0.05). After 48 h and 72 h culture, CD41+/CD61+ cells ratio decreased and RUNX-1 mRNA expression was down-regulated in cells of the group SMG compared with that of the group NG (P < 0.05). Conclusion Microgravity can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of human megakaryocyte cells in vitro. The mechanism may be that TPO/c-mpl pathway was inhibited by down regulating the expression of c-mpl which transcriptional inhibition lead to.

This study is to establish an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of 5 flavones and saponins in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae including neo-mangiferin, mangiferin, timosaponin B II, timosaponin B III and timosaponin A III. Samples were analyzed on a Merck Purospher STAR column(4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile( A) and 0. 1% formic acid (B) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The column temperature was set at 40 °C. The DAD detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. The ELSD conditions were as follows: the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.0 L · min(-1) and temperature of drift tube was 105 °C. The volume was 10 μL. The five compounds were well separated with good linear correlations. The mean recoveries were between 102.0%-104.0%. This method was quick and reliable which provides a foundation for quality control of R. Anemarrhenae.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flavones ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo construct prokaryotic expression systems of ltB/ctB-ompL1/1 fusion genes and to determine the L.interrogans carrying status in leptospirosis patients with the expression products.

METHODSThe fusion genes ltB-ompL1/1 and ctB-ompL1/1 were constructed using linking primer PCR method. SDS-PAGE was used to examine expression of the target recombinant proteins rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1. Western blot and GM1-ELISA were used to measure the immunogenic and GM(1)-binding activities of rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, respectively. PCR and MAT were performed to detect the expression of ompL1 gene in 97 wild L.interrogans strains. Antibodies against ompL1 gene products in serum samples of 228 leptospirosis patients were detected with ELISA method.

RESULTSThe homogeneity of nucleotide and putative amino acid sequence of ltB-jompL1/1 and ctB-ompL1/1 fusion genes were 99.7 % - 99.9 % and 99.5 % - 100 %, in comparison with the reported corresponding sequences. Expression outputs of both rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, mainly present in inclusion body, accounted for 10% of the total bacterial protein. Both rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1 could combine to rabbit anti-rOmpL1/1 serum and bovine GM(1). 89.7 % of L.interrogans wild strains had ompL1 gene. 87.6% of the wild L.interrogans strains presented positive results for MAT (titers :1:4-1:256) with the rabbit anti-rOmpL1/1 or anti-rOmpL1/2 sera. 86.8% and 88.6% of the patients' serum samples were positive for rOmpL1/1 and rOmpL1/2 antibodies, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe fusion proteins, rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, showed high immunogenic and GM(1)-binding activities. ompL1 gene is extensively distributed and frequently expressed in different serogroups of L.interrogans and its products expressed by different genotypes exhibit extensive cross-antigenicity.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; Bacterial Vaccines ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enterotoxins ; genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leptospira interrogans ; genetics ; immunology ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of leptospiral strains with different virulence on intracellular free Ca(2+)level and its relation with phospholipase C (PLC) activity of L.interrogans.

METHODSL.interrogans-j infection cell modals were established with Vero and J774A.1 cell lines. Vero and J774A.1 cells were co-incubated with L.interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai strain 56601 (strong virulence) and serogroup Pomona serovar pomona strain 56608 (weak virulence) and L.biflexa serogroup Samaranga serovar patoc strain Patoc I (non-virulence). Intracellular free Ca(2+)levels were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy with specific fluorescence labeling of fluoj3/AM. Using [(3)H] PIP2 as the substrate, the PLC activities in the culture supernatant, and cytoplasma and cytomembrane of the three strains of Leptospira were measured by isotope assay.

RESULTSThe baseline intracellular free Ca(2+)levels in the normal Vero and J774A.1 cells were (102.3+/-8.2)% and (105.9+/-7.3)%,respectively. The fluorescence intensity in the two cell lines incubated with L.biflexa strain Patoc I were fluctuated in range of (102.3+/-8.2)%approximate, equals(102.2+/-8.3)% during the observation period. The intracellular free Ca(2+)levels in the two cell lines infected with L.interrogans strain 56601 showed elevation with double peak patterns, with first peaks of (430.5+/-35.7)%, (747.5+/-18.5)% and the second peak of (380.6+/-17.4)%, (804.6+/-22.4)%, respectively. When the cells were infected with L.interrogans strain 56608, the intracellular free Ca(2+)levels were rising slowly with a single slope-like pattern, with the maximal of (235.0+/-19.3)% in Vero cells and (402.4+/-17.4)% in J774A.1 cells, which were significantly lower than those in the cells infected with L.interrogans strain 56601 (P<0.01). The culture supernatants, and cytoplasma and cytomembrane proteins of all three strains displayed PLC activities (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cells infected with L.interrogans of different virulence show distinct intracellular free Ca(2+)levels and peak patterns. The different host cell lines can affect the intracellular free Ca(2+)levels, which is not related to the PLC activity in the leptospiral strains.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Endocytosis ; Humans ; Leptospira interrogans ; enzymology ; pathogenicity ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Type C Phospholipases ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo study the immunogenicity and immunoprotection of the recombinant expressing product (rSpaO) of S. paratyphi A spaO gene, and to demonstrate the frequencies of spaO gene carrying and expressing in S. paratyphi A isolates.

METHODSThe spaO gene of a clinical S. paratyphi A strain JH01 was amplified and then cloned. After sequencing of the cloned spaO gene, a prokaryotic expression system of the gene was constructed. SDS-PAGE were applied to examine the rSpaO expression. Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was performed to collect rSpaO. Immunogenicity of rSpaO was determined by Western blot assay. A PCR assay and an ELISA were established to respectively detect the carrying and expressing frequencies of the spaO genes in 98 S. paratyphi A isolates. The immunoprotective effects of rSpaO in S. paratyphi A strain 50001 infected mice were observed.

RESULTSIn comparison with the reported corresponding sequences, the nucleotide and putative amino acid sequence homologies of the cloned spaO gene were 99.45%-99.89% and 99.01%-100%, respectively. The expression output of rSpaO was approximately 75% of the total bacterial proteins. S. paratyphi A antiserum could recognize as well as combine with rSpaO. rSpaO could efficiently induce rabbits to produce specific antibody. 94.9% (93/98) of the S. paratyphi A isolates had spaO gene and 91.4% (85/93) of the spaO+ strains could express SpaO. 58.3% and 50.0% of the mice that oral-taken or subcutaneous injected with 500 microg of rSpaO for immunization were survival after challenged by lethal dose of S. paratyphi A strain 50001. When co-immunized with 5 microg rLTB, the survival rates of the mice increased to 88.3% and 75.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe S. paratyphi isolates had relatively high carrying and expressing frequencies of spaO gene. rSpaO showed a fine immunogenicity and a certain immunoprotective effect, which could be used as an antigen candidate for developing genetic engineering vaccine of S. paratyphi.

Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genetic Engineering ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; Salmonella Vaccines ; immunology ; Salmonella paratyphi A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of repairing periodontal defects with carbonated calcium phosphate bone cement (CCPBC) modified with synthesized peptides.

METHODSPeriodontal bone defects in 4 dogs were surgically created and then restored directly with hydroxyapatite (HA), Perioglass, CCPBC and CCPBC modified with peptides. The results were compared at different levels.

RESULTSBone replacement materials were lost in HA and Perioglass groups. In the HA group defects were restored with connective tissue. Perioglass group had only a little new bone around materials by alveolar bone. CCPBC could firmly stay in bone defects to maintain the space of bone defects even without membrane use. CCPBC modified with peptides was superior to HA, Perioglass, and CCPBC, surrounded by a great deal of new bone.

CONCLUSIONUnder limitation of this study, CCPBC modified with peptides has some osteoinuctive activity and may have good prospect for the clinical application in periodontal defect repair.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; therapy ; Animals ; Bone Cements ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Male

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The optimal disease staging system and treatment approaches have not yet been defined. This study aimed to evaluate the prediction of different staging systems for prognosis and treatment options of SCCE. We retrospectively accessed the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment strategy, and prognosis of 76 patients diagnosed with primary SCCE between 2001 and 2011. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 58%, 31%, 19%, and 13%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification (P = 0.002), Veterans Administration Lung Study Group (VALSG) stage (P = 0.001), predisposing factors (P < 0.001), T category (P = 0.023), and M category (P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that the 2002 AJCC TNM stage (P < 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor for survival. The value of the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the 2002 AJCC TNM staging system was larger than that of VALSG staging system with regard to predicting overall survival (0.774 vs. 0.620). None of the single treatment regimens showed any benefit for survival by Cox regression analysis. Thus, the 2002 AJCC TMN staging system improved the prediction of SCCE prognosis; however, the optimal treatment regimen for SCCE remains unclear.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; classification ; pathology ; therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Societies, Medical ; Survival Rate ; United States

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) represents one of the most devastating injuries that afflict the human body. Ascorbic acid ( AA) plays an important role in mammalian central nervous system, especially in SCI. In this study, the change of AA concentration after SCI was investigated by using an on-line electrochemical method integrated with in vivo microdialysis. A microdialysis probe (2 mm in length) was implanted into the spinal cord of an anesthetized rat (Thoracic-10). Microdialysis perfusate (2 μL/ min) was collected in the sample loop of an on-line injector for direct injection onto a glassy carbon electrode which was modified with the heat-treated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Normal ascorbic acid concentration in the extracellular fluids of spinal cords was (26. 17 ± 1. 25) μmol/ L (n =8). The experimental spinal cord injury, induced by a lesion at T-10, significantly increased the extracellular ascorbic acid levels to (53. 24± 1. 95) μmol/ L (n =8). This study provides the experimental evidence on the essential roles of ascorbic acid in spinal cord injuries.

Objective To investigate the occurrence and reporting of sharp injuries among health care workers (HCWs)at all levels of hospitals in Xuzhou City,provide evidences for formulating protective measures against sharp injuries and improving the reporting system.Methods From July to August 2016,13 hospitals in Xuzhou City were randomly selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method,the general information,occurrence of sharp injuries,and reporting situation was performed questionnaire survey.Results A total of 2 694 valid question-naires were collected,incidence,case incidence,and reporting rate of sharp injuries were 10.32%,12.84%,and 30.64% respectively.Case incidence of sharp injuries among HCWs in primary,secondary,and tertiary hospitals were 44.83%,11.53%,and 12.52% respectively,case incidences of sharp injuries in different levels of hospitals were significantly different (χ2＝55.148,P＜0.001).The main opportunity for sharp injuries was when HCWs re-turned needle cap (79 cases,22.83%),the main device involving sharp injuries was hollow-bore needle (297 cases, 85.84%).Incidences of sharp injuries among HCWs receiving different training were significantly different (χ2＝66.760,P＜0.001).Conclusion Current situation of sharp injuries among HCWs in this region is not optimistic, there are some problems such as poor training efficacy,low reporting rate and low use rate of safety devices,effec-tive measures should be taken to establish an effective monitoring and tracking system for sharp injuries,so as to re-duce the occurrence of sharp injuries.

Small intestinal obstruction is a common complication of primary gastrointestinal cancer or metastatic cancers.Patients with this condition are often poor candidates for surgical bypasses,and placement of self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) can be technically challenging.In this study,we examined the feasibility of combined application of single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) and colonoscope for SEMS placement in patients with malignant small intestinal obstruction.Thirty-four patients were enrolled in this study,among which 22 patients received SEMS placement by using SBE and colonoscope,while the other 12 patients received conservative medical treatment.The patients were followed up for one year.Stent placernent was technically feasible in 95.5％ (21/22).Clinical improvement was achieved in 86.4％ (19/22).For the 19 clinical success cases,the average time of benefits from a gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) increase ≥1 was 111.9±89.5 days.For the 12 patients receiving conservative medical treatment,no significant improvement in GOOSS score was observed.Moreover,a significant increase of Short-Form-36 health survey score was observed in the 19 patients at time of 30 days after stent placement.By Kaplan-Meier analysis,a significant survival improvement was observed in patients with successful SEMS placement,compared with patients receiving conservative medical treatment.Taken together,combined use of SBE and colonoscope makes endoscopic stent placement feasible in patients with malignant small intestinal obstruction,and patients can benefit from it in terms of prolonged survival and improved quality of life.