Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics and the evolution of the influenza A (H3N2) virus strains circulating in Jiangsu province between 2013 and 2014.Methods This study analyzed thirty-one representative strains of influenza A (H3N2) virus, which were isolated in different regions of Jiangsu province and during different time periods from 2013 to 2014.Results Genetic distances in nucleic acid and amino acid between a strain used for vaccine production (A/Texas/50/2012) and the 31 strains were 0.010 5 and 0.012 4.Similarities between them in nucleic acid and amino acid sequences were 97.9%-99.6% and 97.2%-99.3%.Phylogenetic analysis showed that the hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the 31 strains were divided into three different groups.Three strains isolated in 2013 and three strains isolated in 2014 belonged to Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, while the others belonged to Group 3.Three positive selection sites (237, 366 and 367) in HA protein were observed by REL model.Compared with the strain used for vaccine production, the 31 strains were characterized by amino acid substitutions (N128A/T and P198S/A) in HA protein and all of the mutations located in B-cell epitopes.The total number of mutation sites reached 24.Compared with the A/Texas/50/2012 strain, seven strains presented the glycosylation site 126NWT, and three strains showed disappeared glycosylation sites of 45NSS and 144NNS.Evaluation of vaccine efficacy for A(H3N2) virus strains showed that the vaccine efficacy was not very well.Conclusion The HA gene of A(H3N2) virus had undergone a greater variation and the vaccine efficacy was not very well in Jiangsu province during 2013 to 2014, which made the influenza A(H3N2) virus become the circulating strain.

The analysis of poorly conductive samples using discharge plasma is a significant challenge in determining elemental content by atomic emission spectrometry.In this study,graphite as a conductive medium was combined with metal salts and silica to prepare soil sample pellets.A tungsten needle electrode was employed to generate point discharge microplasma with the sample,exciting atomic emission signals of analyte elements.By using Cu 324.7 nm as the analytical line,both the capability to excite atomic emission spectral lines and the impact of experimental conditions were investigated,resulting in accurate determination of trace copper in both standard and real samples.This method held promise for detecting other metals like manganese,iron,and zinc.This work offered methodology for non-conductive sample analysis via discharge plasma atomic emission spectrometry,showing potential for rapid on-site assessment of soil samples.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference of serum high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (HMAP) levels between biliary atresia (BA) and neonatal hepatitis (NH), and to develop a new differential method and early diagnostic indicators for cholestatic jaundice in neonates.

METHODSTotally 31 patients with cholestatic jaundice seen between Aug. 2000 and Feb. 2002, including 15 cases with BA, 16 cases with NH, 30 healthy infants and 30 infants with non-cholestatic jaundice were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were obtained from each subject by using venipuncture. The samples were stored at -80 degrees C and analyzed within 6 months. A murine hybridoma producing monoclonal antibody to human high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (MoAb HMAP-1) was prepared by using partially purified HMAP from human serum as the immunogen. The antibody did not cross-react with other alkaline phosphatase (ALP) isozymes. A monoclonal antibody immunocatalytic assay for HMAP in serum was developed by using MoAb HMAP-1 bound to nitrocellulose membrane discs. The serum total ALP (TALP) and gamma-GT were determined in the meantime, the hepatobiliary ultrasonography and scintigraphy were performed too. The data were analyzed with t test, chi-square test and percentage. Comparisons were made between BA and NH with their sensitivity and specificity in different methods.

RESULTSSerum HMAP was detected in 14 of 15 patients of BA, in 2 of 16 NH patients, while in none of the healthy control group. The positive ratios of serum HMAP in BA and NH were 93.3% and 12.5%, respectively (P < 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of serum HMAP in BA and NH were 93.3% and 87.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of TALP, gamma-GT and hepatobiliary scintigraphy were 80.0%, 73.3%, 86.7% and 62.5%, 68.8%, 62.5%, respectively, which were clearly lower than those of serum HMAP.

CONCLUSIONSThe determination of serum HMAP was more sensitive and specific than the other methods tested. Therefore the method can be used as a useful indicator for cholestatic jaundice in neonates, although it needs further study.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; methods ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

Objective To investigate the association between the glycated albumin to glycated hemoglobin (GA/A1c) ratio and carotid plaque. Methods Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients in endocrine inpatient department of Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital were chosen whose clinical data were collected. Results Of the recruited 154 T2DM patients , GA/HbA1c ratio was negatively correlated with BMI , blood uric acid and was positively correlated with age, HCY, FBG, PBG, left carotid IMT and right carotid IMT. In terms of carotid plaque, GA, GA/HbA1c ratio and HCY were higher in carotid plaque positive patients than those without carotid plaque. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that GA/HbA1c ratio was significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaque (P=0.008). Conclusions GA/HbA1c ratio was positively correlated with the presence of carotid artery IMT in T2DM This suggests that GA/HbA1c ratio will serve as a useful clinical marker for predicting diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been broadly investigated and shown to exert many preventive and therapeutic actions besides their important role in maintenances human health and normal development. In mammals, the level of omega-3 PUFAs is relatively too low compared with omega-6 PUFAs, which metabolically and functionally distinct from omega-3 PUFAs and often have important opposing physiological functions. Either the inefficiency of omega-3 PUFAs or the excess of omega-6 PUFAs will cause many healthy problems. So methods have been sought to increase the amount of omega-3 PUFAs and to improve the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in body. In this study, the sFat-1 gene, which putatively encodes a omega-3 fatty acid desaturase, was chemically synthesized according to the sequence from Caenorhabditis briggssae (with codon usage modified), and constructed into a mammal expression vector pcDNA3. 1-sFat1-EGFP. This vector was introduced into CHO cells by lipid-mediated transfection, and it's expression quickly and effectively elevated the cellular omega-3 PUFAs (from 18-carbon to 22-carbon) contents and dramatically improved the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs. Cellular lipids extracts from stably selected cells were analyzed with GC-MS and the results showed that amount of total omega-6 PUFAs dropped from 48.97% (in GFP cells)to 35.29% (in sFat-1 cells), whereas the amount of total omega-3 PUFAs increased from 7.86% to 24.02%, respectively. The omega-6/omega-3 ratio also dropped from 6.23 to 1.47. These data demonstrates the Caenorhabditis briggssae omega-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase gene, sFat-1, was synthesized successfully and can produce omega-3 PUFAs by using the corresponding omega-6 PUFAs as substrates, which shows its potential for use in the production of omega-3 PUFAs in transgenic animals.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Caenorhabditis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Fatty Acid Desaturases ; genetics ; physiology ; Fatty Acids ; analysis ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from Lamium maculatum var. kansuense.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified on silica gel column and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties.

RESULTSix compounds were obtained and identified as polypodine B (I), 5-OH-8-epiloganin (II), shlanzhiside methyl ester (III), liriodendrin (IV), quercitroside (V), uridine (VI).

CONCLUSIONCompound IV was found from genus Lamium for the first time and the rest of the compounds were found from Lamium maculatum var kansuense for the first time.

Ecdysterone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Uridine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; analysis ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy, time to disease progression (TTP), overall survival (OS) and toxicity of FOLFOX6 and TLF regimens for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 81 chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer were analyzed. Of the 81 patients, 41 were treated with FOLFOX6 regimen and 40 with TLF regimen. The patients in FOLFOX6 group received intravenous infusion of L-OHP(100 mg/m2) at day 1, bolus injection of 5-FU (400 mg/m2) at day 1, and continuous intravenous infusion of 5-FU (1200 mg/m2/d) for 22 h at days 1-2, each treatment cycle lasting 14 days. The patients in TCF group received TAX (90 mg/m2) at day 1, bolus injection of 5-FU (400 mg/m2) at days 1-2, and continuous intravenous infusion of 5-FU (400 mg/m2/d) for 22 h at days 1-2, and each treatment cycle also lasted 14 days.

RESULTSThe objective response rates were 48.8% in FOLFOX6 group and 50.0% in TLF group (P=0.962). The median TTP in the two groups was 6.30 months and 6.50 months (P=0.958), with median survival time of 9.80 months and 10.70 months (P=0.578), respectively. The most frequent adverse events were nausea, vomiting and hematologic toxicities. The incidences of grade III-IV leucopenia and neutropenia were lower in FOLFOX6 group than in TLF group, but the difference was not statistically significant (12.2% vs 30.0%, P=0.112; 14.6% vs 32.5%, P=0.126). Three patients in FOLFOX6 group developed intestinal obstruction during the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONBoth FOLFOX6 and TLF regimens are effective in treating advanced gastric cancer and the toxicities can be tolerated.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Survival Analysis ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the osseointegration of the nanophase hydroxyapatite biograde-coated implants and host bone.

METHODSNanophase hydroxyapatite biograde-coated implants, hydroxyapatite biograde-coated implants and noncoated Ti-6Al-4V implants were inserted into both femoral of Beagle canines the tissue response, dynamic osteogensis and SEM were studied at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

RESULTSThe degradation of nanophase hydroxyapatite was slower than hydroxyapatite, dynamic osteogensis and the form of osteoblast were better than the control groups.

CONCLUSIONThe biological reaction of Nanophase hydroxyapatite biograde-coated implants is better than hydroxyapatite coated implant.

Animals ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Nanoparticles ; Osseointegration ; physiology ; Surface Properties

OBJECTIVETo comparatively investigate the inorganic composition and crystallographic properties of cortical and cancellous bone via thermal treatment under 700 °C.

METHODSThermogravimetric measurement, infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis and X-ray photo-electron spectrometer were used to test the physical and chemical properties of cortical and cancellous bone at room temperature 250 °C, 450 °C, and 650 °C, respectively.

RESULTSThe process of heat treatment induced an extension in the a-lattice parameter and changes of the c-lattice parameter, and an increase in the crystallinity reflecting lattice rearrangement after release of lattice carbonate and possible lattice water. The mineral content in cortical and cancellous bone was 73.2wt% and 71.5wt%, respectively. For cortical bone, the weight loss was 6.7% at the temperature from 60 °C to 250 °C, 17.4% from 250 °C to 450 °C, and 2.7% from 450 °C to 700 °C. While the weight loss for the cancellous bone was 5.8%, 19.9%, and 2.8 % at each temperature range, the Ca/P ratio of cortical bone was 1.69 which is higher than the 1.67 of stoichiometric HA due to the B-type CO₃²⁻ substitution in apatite lattice. The Ca/P ratio of cancellous bone was lower than 1.67, suggesting the presence of more calcium deficient apatite.

CONCLUSIONThe collagen fibers of cortical bone were arrayed more orderly than those of cancellous bone, while their mineralized fibers ollkded similar. The minerals in both cortical and cancellous bone are composed of poorly crystallized nano-size apatite crystals with lattice carbonate and possible lattice water. The process of heat treatment induces a change of the lattice parameter, resulting in lattice rearrangement after the release of lattice carbonate and lattice water and causing an increase in crystal size and crystallinity. This finding is helpful for future biomaterial design, preparation and application.

Animals ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Bone and Bones ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Crystallography ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Swine