Objective To investigate protective effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on kidneys of diabetic rats and the possible mechanism. Methods Thirty-four streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: diabetic aminals without treatment (D group), diabetic rats treated with PDTC (P group), diabetic rats treated with MMF (M group), diabetic rats treated with combined PDTC and MMF (P+M group), and normal rats were considered as control group (C group). Blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP) were detected at the end of treatment lasting for 8 weeks. Kidneys were weighed in order to measure kidney weight/body weight ratio (KI) after rats were killed. Pathological changes in the kidneys were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. Expressions of interleukin-18 (IL-18), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in renal glomerulus were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Results Blood glucose, BUN, Scr, 24 h UP, KI were significantly higher in D, P, M and P+M groups than those in C group (all P＜0.05). BUN, Scr, 24 h UP, KI were significantly lower in P, M and P+M groups than those in D group (all P＜0.05). 24 h UP was reduced in P+M groups compared with P,M groups (P＜0.05). Pathological changes were attenuated in P,M and P+M groups compared with D group. Expressions of IL-18, ICAM-1, TNF-α in renal glomerulus were much higher in D group than those in C group (all P＜0.05) and were reduced in P, M and P+M groups compared with D group (all P＜0.05). Expressions of IL-18, ICAM-1, TNF-α in P+M group were lower than those in P group (all P＜0.05), while expressions of IL-18, TNF-α were lower than those in M group (both P＜0.05). Conclusion The protective effects on kidneys of diabetic rats produced by combined use of PDTC with MMF were much better than by the application of either PDTC or MMF alone. The mechanism appears to be related with suppressing expressions of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To compare the circumferential approach and suprapubic approach for correcting the concealed penis. Methods Thirty-four patients received circumferential approach (group A,18 cases)or suprapubic approach(group B,15 cases)randomly for the concealed penis.The length of penis without erection before and after surgery treatment,patients'satisfaction and surgical complications were evaluated.All the patients were followed at least 6 months after operation.Results The penile length before and after surgery in group A were(1.78±0.41)cm vs(3.97±0.47)cm,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer than that of the preoperative penis(P<0.01).83%of those in group A(15 cases)were satisfied with the cosmic results.The length of preoperative and postoperative penis in group B were(2.07±0.53)cm vs(4.05±0.81)cm respectively,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer(P<0.01).Satisfaction was 87%(13 cases).The postoperative penile length between the 2 groups was not different(P> 0.05).Prepuce edema was reported to Occur in 56%and 13%in group A and group B and spontaneously disappeared within 3 months.Fat synchysis occurred in 2 of group B. Conclusions The cosmic effect of the 2 surgical approaches is similar,but circumferential approach is simpler.There is no serious complication in those receiving circumferential approach.

4"-O-isovaleryltransferase gene (ist) was regulated by positive regulatory genes of midecamycin 4"-O-propionyltransferase gene (mpt) in Streptomyces lividans TK24. A BamH I ~8.0 kb fragment from Streptomyces mycarofaciens 1748 was proved that it contained mpt gene and linked with two positive regulatory genes, orf27 and orf28. Orf of mpt was replaced by orf of ist and linked with two regulatory genes or orf27 single, and individually cloned into the vectors pKC1139 or pWHM3 (high copy number), and then transformed into S. lividans TK24. The levels of mpt and ist expression were evaluated by the bio-tramsformation efficacy of spiramycin into 4"-O-acylspiramycins in these transformants. The results showed that 4"-O-isovalerylspiramycins could be detected only in the transformants containing the plasmids constructed with pWHM3. The efficacy of bio-transformation of the transformants containing two regulatory genes was higher than that of orf27 single. So, the positive regulatory genes system of mpt gene could enhance ist gene expression.
Acyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Plasmids ; Spiramycin ; analogs & derivatives ; biosynthesis ; Streptomyces ; enzymology ; genetics ; Streptomyces lividans ; metabolism ; Transformation, Genetic

Objective To study the Diagnosis and treatment of thyroglossal duct cyst or fistula. Methods The clinical data of 67 patients with thyroglossal duct cyst or fistula treated by surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Results The diagnosis rate preoperatively was 92.5% and the accuracy diagnosis rate by B type ultrasonography was 96.1%; all cases were treated by operation, of them, 14 cases underwent simple cyst resection, 12 with resection of partial periosteum of hyoid and 41 with resection of middle segment of hyoid( Sistrunk's operation ). 54 cases were followed up, recurrence in cases with cyst was 4 of 43 (9.3%) and recurrence in cases with fistula was 2 of 11(18.2%)respectively. Conclusion Ultrasonography shows certain characteristics and clinical value to diagnose and distinguish thyroglossal duct cyst. Postoperative recurrence is due to the selection of operation procedures and control of infection of focus. The Sistrunk's operation properly performed previou to cyst infection should reduce recurrence rate markedly.

Objective To study the distribution of genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Guizhou and its relationship between infec-tious route of genotype and age ,gender was analyzed .Methods Serum specimens in this study were obtained from 198 patients , whose anti-HCV and HCV RNA were positive .A reverse transcriptase PCR(RT nested-PCR)assay using conserved primers de-duced from the core-envelope 1(C-E1)region of the hepatitis C virus(HCV)genome was employed to amplify a 474-nucleotide-long fragment .Phylogenetic analysis of the C-E1 sequences was conducted by direct sequencing of the RT-PCR products and alignment with published HCV subtypes in GenBank .Subtypes of the samples were determined by nucleotide sequencing followed by composi-tion of a phylogenetic tree .Results Among the 198 patients surveyed ,genotype 1a was detected in 4 cases(2 .0% ) ,genotype 1b in 71 cases(35 .9% ) ,genotype 2a in 9 cases(4 .6% ) ,genotype 3a in 29 cases(14 .7% ) ,genotype 3b in 47 cases(23 .7% ) ,genotype 6 a in 37 cases(18 .7% )and genotype 6d in 1 cases(0 .5% ) .Genotype distribution on gender had no statistical significance(P>0 .05) , and its distribution on people with different ages had statistical significance(P<0 .05) ,and its distribution on patients with different infectious routes was significantly different(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The major genotypes of HCV are 1b ,3b ,6a and 3a in Guizhou , and genotype 1a is predominant .Genotypes 1a ,2a and 6d exist too .Genotypes of patients infected with HCV are related to their in-fectious routes ,and the HCV genotypes are in a great variety .

Objective To explore the dietary intakes of carotenoids in Chinese adults.Method One hundred and eighty four 30-60 year-old adults(84 males and 100 females) from three different communities were recruited in the investigation.The dietary samples were collected by double-servings in every season of the year respectively.The double sample comprised all the foods of continuous 3 d at equal variety and quantity,and were analyzed by HPLC for the contents of ?-carotene,?-carotene,?-cryptoxanthin,lycopene,and lutein/zeaxanthin.Results The dietary samples were collected and analyzed from 184,184,169,and 161 subjects in summer,autumn,winter and spring respectively.The dietary intakes of ?-carotene,?-carotene,?-cryptoxanthin,lycopene,and lutein+zeaxanthin in the investigated subjects in summer were 2.48?2.71mg,276.6?469.4 ?g,86.9?241.4 ?g,2.16?3.38 mg,and 1.48?1.65 mg respectively.Those in autumn were 3.39?4.10 mg,271.7?462.8 ?g,339.9?1016.8 ?g,0.25?1.34 mg and 2.07?3.00 mg respectively.Those in winter were 2.85?3.76 mg,302.7?622.6 ?g,108.8?142.3 ?g,0.36?1.46 mg and 1.97?3.00 mg.and those in spring were 3.76?3.35 mg,162.4?413.9 ?g,42.1?93.8 ?g,0.86?1.39 mg and 6.10?6.26 mg respecfively.The lycopene intakes were relatively higher in summer,?-cryptoxanthin higher in autumn,and lutein/ zeaxanthin higher in spring.The intakes of ?-and ?-carotene were relatively less fluctuated by seasons.Generally,the subjects from the central urban community consumed more carotenoids than those from the outskirt community and the rural village,with the only exception of lutein/zeaxanthin intake in spring.Conclusion The dietary carotenoids intakes in Chinese adults were studied,and the data would be helpful for further researches about carotenoids nutrition among Chinese population.

A method based on QuEChERS coupled with ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of seven kinds of fluorescent white agent residues in mushroom.After mixing with 10 mL of water, the sample was extracted with acidified acetonitrile, cleaned up by C18, primary secondary amine (PSA) and MgSO4.The separation of seven kinds of fluorescent white agents was performed on a C18 column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1% acidified water as mobile phase.The target compounds were detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion mode with multi reaction monitoring (MRM).Under the optimum conditions, the method had good linear relationship in the determination of the seven kinds of fluorescent white agents in a certain concentration range, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.991.Moreover, the limits of detection (S/N=3) were 0.05-0.4 μg/kg, the limits of quantitation (S/N=10) were 0.2-1.3 μg/kg, and the average recoveries for seven kinds of fluorescent white agent residues in msushroom were 70.1%-109.2%.In comparison with previous methods, the new procedure has characteristics of simple sample preparation and higher sensitivity.

Objective To assess the efficacy of methylprednisolone (MP)pulse therapy in treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT) complicated with goiter.Methods 30 patients with HT complicated with goiter participated in the study and received MP pulse therapy.The patients had to be euthyroid for at least 3 months before the date of inclusion with plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones within their reference range.The goiter was still obvious and had no improvement.A dose of 250 mg MP was administered intravenously for seven consecutive days,and then treated with oral prednisone 10 mg,three times per day for 6 weeks with the dosage in each week gradually reduced at 5 mg to none.Ultrasonic was used to measure thyroid size before and after MP treatment.Results The treatment was successful at the end of the trial in all of the 30 patients receiving MP.The thyroid size from length,breadth,thickness to isthmus obviously decreased (P ＜ 0.05).The length of the left lobe was (57.42 ± 12.87) mm and (46.37 ± 7.67) mm (t =4.58) before and after treatment; The breadth of the left lobe was(26.68 ±7.71) mm and(22.21 ±6.09) mm(t =4.56) before and after treatment; The thickness of the left lobe was (27.18 ± 6.60) mm and (21.14 ± 5.67) mm(t =7.28) before and after treatment.The length of the right lobe was(58.17 ± 12.32)mm and(49.73 ±9.35) mm(t =3.84) before and after treatment; The breadth of the right lobe was (26.14 ± 7.37)mm and (23.00 ± 6.68) mm(t =3.29) before and after treatment ; The thickness of the right lobe was(27.57 ± 6.42)mm and(22.00 ±5.55)(t =5.88)before and after treatment.The isthmus before and after treatment was(9.94 ±4.15)mm and(6.19 ±2.57)mm(t =6.09).The recurrence rate was 17％ (5/30) after one year.Conclusions MP pulse therapy is an effective treatment for HT complicated with goiter.The recurrence rate is low.

The methylation status of GNAS1 gene in pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib patients was detected by methylation-specific PGR technique. There was an abnormal methylation of 1A region in all seven PHPIb patients. Loss of exon 1A methylation (imprinting defect) seems to be the cause of PHPIb.

OBJECTIVETo detect the inflammatory factors of induced sputum (IS) and whole lung lavage fluid in pneumonoconiosis patients and to explore the correlation between the inflammatory factors with pulmonary function.

METHODSThe records of 45 cases of pneumonoconiosis patients were observed. All patients underwent lung function examination, sputum induction and massive whole lung lavage (WLL) sequentially through advance. IS and whole lung lavage fluid were collected respectively. Inflammatory factors of the two specimens were detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation of inflammatory factors between the two specimens was analyzed. The relationship between the inflammatory factor and lung function index was observed. The statistical analysis is performed with SPSS 17.0 for Windows. P < 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTSCytokines (MCP-1, TNF-α MIP-1α, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16) were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid (P < 0.05), while TNF-α, MCP-1, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16 were no significantly associated with lung function index (P > 0.05). MIP-1α was significantly associated with FEV(1.0)/VCmax and MEF(25), respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInflammatory factors were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid, which could indicate early lung injury in pneumonoconiosis patients.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Chemokine CCL3 ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Humans ; Interleukin-16 ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Silicosis ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha