Based on the strain breeding theory and metabolic engineering theory, A high-yield mutant of Lactobacillus Thermophilus ATCC8317 was obtained through the compound inducements by the original Acetic acid-Sodium acetate plate and the productivity increased 210%.The best media components included saccharifying corn,malt powder 30g/L,peptone 5g/L.Based on the variety of specific cell growth rate and specific L-lactic acid production rate at different temperatures, the strategy of temperature control was obtained. The total product of L-lactic acid reached 135g/L besides the rate of glucose consumed and the average L-lactic acid productivity were up to 95% and 2.25g/(L?h) respectively.

Thirty-five patients with ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) and 38 patients with newly-diagonosed common type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were treated with insulin for 3 months.The results showed that the existing insulin resistance in patients with KPD was mild as compared with common type 2 DM, and the recovery of insulin sensitivity was less marked in patients with KPD after blood glucose was well controlled.

Herbicides ; poisoning ; Humans ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

Objective To explore the relationship between the degree of intraplaque neovascularization in carotid artery and the level of serum homocysteine.Methods Contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed on 72 carotid atherosclerotic plaques of 48 patients.Contrast-enhancement within the plaque was categorizde as grade 1 to grade 3.The level of serum homocysteine were detected in the fasting state during the same period.Results According to the degree of contrast enhancement(grade 1 to 3),patients were divided into 3 groups.The more new vessels in plaque,the higher the level of homocysteine.The levels of homocysteine in three groups increased in turn.There were distinct differences among the three groups(F =18.49,P ＜0.05),and there was significant difference between every two groups (P ＜0.05).The linear correlation analysis showed that the level of homocysteine was positively correlated with the degree of carotid plaque enhancement (r =0.66,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Contrastenhanced ultrasonography could semi-quantitate new vessles in plaque.There was positive correlation between the degree of intraplaque neovascularization with the level of serum homocysteine.Combine with the level of serum homocysteine based on intraplaque neovascularization detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound,the plaque stability could be more accurately evaluated.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the semen quality and its influencing factors in preconception males in Nanjing area so as to provide some evidence for working out effective intervention measures.

METHODSTotally 687 men receiving preconceptional physical examination were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the subjects along with an analysis of their semen quality.

RESULTSThe median of sperm concentration was 63.3 x 10(6)/ml (95% CI [19.88-119] x 10(6)/ml). The median of grade a sperm was 33.03% (95% CI [19.38-55.05]%), that of grade a + b sperm was 52.08% (95% CI [39.53-69.37]%), and that of teratosperm was 91.75% (95% CI [69-100]%). The median concentration of seminal plasma PMN-elastase was 195.55 ng/ml (95% CI [76.16-3330.38] ng/ml) and that of seminal plasma zinc was 7.62 μmol/L (95% CI [1.5-23, 45] μmol/L). The positive rates of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) were 42.4%, 0.3%, and 2.4%, respectively. The median of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of those whose wives had a history of adverse pregnancy was 20.25% (95% CI [2.15-68.25]%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that mental stress (OR 1.567, 95% CI [1.081-2.27]) and sedentariness (OR 1.772, 95% CI [1.211-2.592]) were independent risk factors for asthenospermia.

CONCLUSIONThe sperm quality of preconception males in Nanjing area is not encouraging, and it can be improved by changing undesirable lifestyle and reducing mental stress.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; etiology ; China ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; isolation & purification ; DNA Fragmentation ; Gardnerella vaginalis ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; analysis ; Male ; Preconception Care ; Semen ; microbiology ; Semen Analysis ; statistics & numerical data ; Sperm Count ; statistics & numerical data ; Spermatozoa ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; isolation & purification

T,P=0.008; Genotype:P=0.031)of DISC1 gene were significantly associated with schizophrenia.The haplotypes constructed by these two markers were significantly associated with schizophrenia,such as AT(?2=7.065,P=0.008,OR=1.42,95%CI=1.10~1.83)and GA(?2=6.009,P=0.014,OR=0.80,95%CI=0.68~0.96).When the subjects examined with the positive and negative syndrome scale(PANSS),the risk haplotype AT was not significantly correlated with positive,negative,excitement,depression and cognitive impairment factors of PANSS. Conclusion:These findings provide further evidence for DISC1 as a predisposing gene involved in schizophrenia in the Chinese Han Population.However,no positive association is found between DISC1 polymorphisms with schizophrenia clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenicity of Leptospira interrogans fliR gene to J774A.1 cells.

METHODSfliR gene from L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai strain 56601 and kana gene from plasmid pET42a were amplified by PCR. Suicide plasmid of fliR gene was constructed; and specific siRNA for fliR gene was designed and synthesized. fliR gene mutants were constructed by gene knock-out with suicide plasmid (56601fliR-Kana) and gene silencing with siRNA (56601siRNA-R2). The mutants were identified by PCR, sequencing and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Adhesion to mouse mononuclear-macrophage J774A.1 and induction of cell necrosis and apoptosis by 56601fliR-Kana and 56601siRNA-R2 were examined by adhesion test and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTThe nucleotide and putative amino acid sequences of cloned fliR gene had 99.9% and 100% similarities to those of reported sequences in GenBank. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned kana gene was identical to the corresponding sequence in pET42a map. The results of PCR and sequencing confirmed that kana gene was inserted in the sequence of 56601fliR-Kana fliR gene. The mRNA level of fliR gene in 56601fliR-Kana was remarkably decreased (P<0.01) while the mRNA level of fliR gene in 56601siRNA-R2 was much lower than that in wild strain 56601 (P<0.05). 56601fliR-Kana and 56601siRNA-R2 lost the ability to adhere J774A.1 cells; and their ability to induce cell necrosis and apoptosis was markedly weakened (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONfliR is a virulence-associated gene of L. interrogans and the function of the gene is closely related to adhesion, induction of cell necrosis and apoptosis of the microbe.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Leptospira interrogans ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Macrophages ; microbiology ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ulinastain on the expression of hemeoxy genase-1 (HO-1) in oil acid-induced acute lung injury in rats. METHODS: The animal model of acute lung injury was established by oil acid. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the blank control group (A), the acute lung injury group (B) and the acute lung injury group (C) followed by injecting 100 mL/kg ulinastatin. Each group consisted of 10 rats. Group A were given 0.2 mL/kg natural solution through the trial vein; Group B and C were given 0.2 mL/kg oil-acid through trial vein, while group C were injected 100mL/kg ulinastatin by the peritoneal cavity after injecting oil acid. After 4 hours, the rates of respiration were counted and blood samples were cramped out through the heart puncture for blood gas analysis. The expressions of hemeoxygenase-1 and the pathologic construction changes were determined by HE staining in the lower right lung of rats in the 3 groups. RESULTS: The respiration dysfunction caused by oil acid could be prominently improved by ulinastain. There was only a little expression of hemeoxygenase-1 in the lung of Group A, but the expression increased in Group B and significatively increased in Group C. CONCLUSION Ulinastatin may protect the rats from acute lung injury through increasing the expression of HO-1.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Animals ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Oleic Acid ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe present study was designed to evaluate the clinical manifestations, surgical findings, pathologic types and treatment of cardiac tumor and to analyze the echocardiographic characteristics of the cases.

METHODSRecords of 19 patients with cardiac tumors confirmed by operations and pathology at Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital in Beijing, China between Jan, 1983 and Dec, 2003 were reviewed. Clinical and echocardiographic data of all patients were analyzed.

RESULTSThe median age of patients was 7 +/- 5 years, ranging from 5 months to 14 years. There were 8 male and 11 female cases. The surgical findings revealed that 57.9% (11 cases) of cardiac tumors were found in left heart, 36.8% (7 cases) in right heart, 5.3% (1 case) in two ventricles. The pathological study revealed that 17 cases (89.5%) were diagnosed as primary cardiac benign tumors including myxoma in 10 cases (52.6%), rhabdomyoma in 4 cases (21.1%), fibroma in 2 cases (10.5%) and lipoma in 1 case (5.3%). Two cases were diagnosed (10.5%) as cardiac malignant tumors including a primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma and a metastatic epithelioid sarcoma. By using echocardiography 11 cases were diagnosed as myxomas and rhabdomyoma (11/19, 57.9%), 8 cases were diagnosed as space occupying lesions of the heart or myxoma (8/19, 42.1%).

CONCLUSIONSMyxomas are the most common heart tumors seen in infancy and childhood, followed in frequency by rhabdomyomas, fibromas and lipomas. Surgery is recommended for patients with refractory and severe clinical symptoms.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Fibroma ; diagnostic imaging ; Heart Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Infant ; Lipoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Myxoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Rhabdomyoma ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of myocardin gene during the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell to smooth muscle cells in the conditional medium combined with a high concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS).

METHODSMarrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and purified from mouse femoral bone and shinbones using differential adherent methods. Cells at the third passage were induced by 20% FBS in conditioned medium, conditioned medium alone, 20% FBS or 10% FBS alone respectively. Mouse aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured as the positive control. Levels of mRNA and protein expression of myocardin and several smooth muscle cells marker genes were determined by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot before and 3, 7, 10, 14 d after the induction. The presence of smooth muscle myofilaments was detected by using transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSNaive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells displayed multiple morphological forms including fusiform, polygon, oval, and micro-spherical, as compared to the single macro-spindle form after the induction. Typical appearance of peak valley was displayed on the 21st day after induction. At the same time, the expression of smooth muscle marker genes was reinforced along with an up-regulation of myocardin expression. Immunofluorescence study showed that the cells expressing myocardin and smooth muscle marker genes such as alpha-SMA and SM-MHC increased. Fluorescence domain of myocardin translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus and the amounts of double positive cells for myocardin with alpha-SMA or SM-MHC also increased. RT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA expression of myocardin increased gradually and remained stabilized after achieving its peak on the 7th day after induction. The expression of smooth muscle marker genes, alpha-SMA and SM22alpha, remained stable on the 10th day of induction. It was also confirmed by Western blot that the protein expression of both myocardin and alpha-SMA were markedly increased during the induction. Finally, transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of myofilament on the 21st day after induction.

CONCLUSIONSBone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be effectively induced into smooth muscle-like cells by conditioned medium combined with 20% FBS. Myocardin plays an important role in the differentiation process of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the peripheral smooth muscle cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cattle ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Up-Regulation