AIM:To establish a HPLC fingerprint of Stellera chamaejasme L. from Inner Mongolia Region. METHODS: The RP-HPLC method was used with Akzonobel Kromasil C_ 18 (250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m) the acetonitrile-0.5% phosphoric acid (gradient elution) was used as mobile phase, analytic time was 60 min, and detective wavelength was at 297 nm, the column temperature of 15℃ were adopted. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint of Stellera chamaejasme L. set up showed that 14 peaks were co-possessing in different sources. The results of method validation met technical standard of fingerprint, the similarities of Stellera chamaejasme L. were 0.9 to 1.0. CONCLUSION: The method is stable and reliable with a good reproducibility and provides a reference standard for the quality control of Stellera chamaejasme L. from Inner Mongolia Region.

Objective To determine potential gene-gene interactions of TNF-? and VDR loci with outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection.Methods A total of 391 chronic hepatitis B(HB) patients as a case group and 212 HBV self-limited infected subjects as a control group were recruited to conduct a case-control study.TNF-?-238G/A,-857C/T,-863C/A,VDR-TaqⅠT/C and FokⅠC/T gene polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The interactions between TNF-? and VDR genes were analyzed by multiple model.Results There were positive gene-gene interactions between TNF-?-238 GA and FokⅠ CT/CC(ORint=4.04),between-863 CC and-857 CC(ORint=1.26) and between-857 CC and FokⅠ CT/CC(ORint=1.37),respectively,which increase the risk of chronic hepatitis B.There were negative gene-gene interactions between TNF-?-238 GA and-857 CC(ORint=0.92)and between FokⅠ CT/CC and TNF-?-863 CC(ORint=0.95),which decrease the risk of chronic hepatitis B.Conclusion Interaction between TNF-? loci and VDR loci potentially increase the risk of chronic hepatitis B after HBV infection.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of computer-assisted imaging system in the detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion and quality-assurance.

METHODSManual PAP screening (n = 140 580) and image-assisted screening (n = 32 885) were compared for the detection rates of squamous cell abnormalities, the atypical squamous cells (ASC) to squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) ratio, the positive rates of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) test in the case of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and the correlation between cytopathology and histopathology.

RESULTSCompared with manual screening, computer-assisted imaging system showed increased overall positive detection by 0.32%, decreased detection of ASC by 0.21%, increased detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) by 0.22%, increased detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL) by 0.31%, and decreased ASC to SIL ratio from 2.59 to 1.60. Computer-assisted imaging system did not change the HR-HPV positive rate of the patients who were ASC-US, or the coincidence rate between cytopathology and histopathology. Moreover, the productivity of the laboratory operation increased 58.33%.

CONCLUSIONComputer-assisted imaging system significantly increases the overall positive detection rate of cervical SIL, improves accuracy and work efficiency of screening, decreases the ASC/SIL rate, and strengths the quality-assurance of laboratory testing.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vaginal Smears ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson disease (PD) of grade 1.5-3.0 on Hoehn-Yahr scale.

METHODSThirty patients with Parkinson disease were randomized equally into the treatment group and control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by scalp eletroacupuncture at the contralateral points of MS6, MS4, MS8, MS9 and MS14 in cases of unilateral lesions or at the bilateral points for bilateral lesions, with also medication with Madopar. The patients in the control group were given Madopar only. The scores of Webster scale and the motor function of United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used to for assessment before and after the therapeutic course (6 weeks).

RESULTSTremor, rigidity and bradykinesia were obviously improved in both the groups (P<0.05). The difference in the score of Webster scale was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05), but the treatment group showed greater improvement in motor functions than the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONScalp electroacupuncture is effective and safe for therapy of Parkinson disease.

Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; therapy ; Scalp

Synthetic biology aims to design and build new biological systems with desirable properties, providing the foundation for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The most prominent representation of synthetic biology has been used in microbial engineering by recombinant DNA technology. However, there are advantages of using a deleted host, and therefore an increasing number of biotechnology studies follow similar strategies to dissect cellular networks and construct genome-reduced microbes. This review will give an overview of the strategies used for constructing and engineering reduced-genome factories by synthetic biology to improve production of secondary metabolites.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; genetics ; Cephamycins ; biosynthesis ; Epoxy Compounds ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Genetics, Microbial ; Genome ; Sesquiterpenes ; metabolism ; Streptomyces ; genetics ; metabolism ; Streptomycin ; biosynthesis ; Synthetic Biology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features, diagnosis and therapy of hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

METHODSThe clinical presentations and the findings of laboratory examinations and skin biopsy of affected tissue in a child with hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSThe child manifested as rash, fever and lymph node intumesce. Rash was pantomorphia, including edematous erythema, vesicles, crusts, necrosis and depressed scar, and it was mild in winter and severe in summer, mainly involving in the face and extremities. Epstein-Barre virus (EBV)-IgM was positive. Histopathological findings revealed focal lymphocyte invasion in subcutaneous panniculus adiposus, mainly surrounding the blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry showed CD3 (+), CD43 (+), CD20 (-), pax-5 (-), TIA (+), CD5 (+), CD8 (+), Granmye (+) and CD4 (-). The clinical symptoms were improved after glucocorticoid treatment in this child.

CONCLUSIONSHydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma has special clinical manifestations. This disorder may be definitely diagnosed by skin biopsy of affected tissue and immunohistochemistry assay. Glucocorticoid treatment is effective. EBV infection may be related to the development of this disorder.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroa Vacciniforme ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Skin ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology

Objective To study the role of vascular endothelial cells in coronary artery disease,focusing on the role of forkhead box O3a(FOXO3a)in regulating target gene expression and alternative splicing in vascular endothelial cell injury.Methods Transcriptome data was obtained by overexpressing FOXO3a in human vascular endothelial cell lines using transcriptome techniques.The expression lev-els and alternative splicing patterns of potential target genes regulated by FOXO3a were analyzed,as well as the functions of these genes.Results In HUVEC cells overexpressing FOXO3a,419genes were differentially expressed compared with the control group.The results of the geneontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)analysis showed that up-regulated genes were en-riched in the inflammatory signaling pathway,while down-regulated genes were enriched in the metabolic pathway.Based on transcrip-tome data,alternative splicing analysis revealed significant differences in the patterns of 1784 alternative splicing events between the FOXO3a overexpression group and the control group.The results of the GO and KEGG analysis showed that differentially variable splicing genes were enriched in apoptosis-related pathways.Conclusion FOXO3a can affect the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cell by regula-ting the expression and alternative splicing of genes related to immune inflammation,lipid metabolism,and cell apoptosis,which may af-fect the occurrence of coronary heart disease.

To investigate the effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in carboplatin ( CBP )‐treated A549 cell and its possible mechanisms of inhibiting A549 cell line activity . Methods According to whether SonoVue was used or not ,and the different dose of CBP ,the groups A‐F were arranged as the ultrasound( US) group( group A ) ,the ultrasound combined with microbubbles ( USMB) group( group B) ,the low dose CBP ( 100 μg/ml) + US group( group C) ,the low dose CBP+USMB group( group D) ,the high dose CBP ( 200 μg/ml)+ US group ( group E) and the high dose CBP+USMB group( group F) .A549 cells were bathed and washed by a calcium‐free buffer , loaded with Ca2+ indicator fluo‐4 AM . Real‐time images were acquired using laser confocal microscopy . T he fluorescence intensity of intracellular calcium ion concentration ( [ Ca 2+ ] i ) in individual living cell was observed and the calcium overload was analyzed . Results After ultrasound irradiation ,the normalized fluorescence intensity of [ Ca2+ ] i increased rapidly ,then returned to a new homeostasis ( selected cells in groups A ,B ,E ,F ) or experienced a second calcium oscillation ( some cells in group C and D ) . All the selected cells in group B and some cells in group C and D exhibited superimposed oscillations . T he calcium overloading time in group D was longer than those of any other groups . Four cells in group A experienced delayed calcium oscillations . Compared with group A ,the selected cells in other groups exhibited a larger amplitude of calcium oscillation ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) and the selected cells in group B and D exhibited calcium oscillation for a longer period of time( all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions In the calcium‐free buffer ,US ,USMB , CBP+ US ,CBP + USMB are direct stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells . SonoVue ,CBP ,CBP +SonoVue are all synergistic stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells irradiated by ultrasound .US ,USMB and CBP may synergistically induce calcium release from intracellular store sites in A 549 cells . Calcium overload is a possible mechanism of ultrasound combined with microbubbles in assisting CBP chemotherapy .

Objective To investigate the effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in carboplatin ( CBP )-treated A549 cell and its possible mechanisms of inhibiting A549 cell line activity . Methods According to whether SonoVue was used or not ,and the different dose of CBP ,the groups A-F were arranged as the ultrasound(US) group(group A) ,the ultrasound combined with microbubbles ( USMB) group( group B) ,the low dose CBP ( 100 μg/ml) + US group( group C) ,the low dose CBP+USMB group( group D) ,the high dose CBP ( 200 μg/ml)+ US group ( group E) and the high dose CBP+USMB group( group F) .A549 cells were bathed and washed by a calcium-free buffer , loaded with Ca2+ indicator fluo-4 AM . Real-time images were acquired using laser confocal microscopy .The fluorescence intensity of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+ ]i) in individual living cell was observed and the calcium overload was analyzed . Results After ultrasound irradiation ,the normalized fluorescence intensity of [Ca2+ ]i increased rapidly ,then returned to a new homeostasis (selected cells in groups A ,B ,E ,F) or experienced a second calcium oscillation ( some cells in group C and D) . All the selected cells in group B and some cells in group C and D exhibited superimposed oscillations . The calcium overloading time in group D was longer than those of any other groups . Four cells in group A experienced delayed calcium oscillations . Compared with group A ,the selected cells in other groups exhibited a larger amplitude of calcium oscillation( all P < 0 .05) and the selected cells in group B and D exhibited calcium oscillation for a longer period of time( all P <0 .05) . Conclusions In the calcium-free buffer ,US ,USMB , CBP+ US ,CBP + USMB are direct stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells . SonoVue ,CBP ,CBP +SonoVue are all synergistic stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells irradiated by ultrasound .US ,USMB and CBP may synergistically induce calcium release from intracellular store sites in A 549 cells . Calcium overload is a possible mechanism of ultrasound combined with microbubbles in assisting CBP chemotherapy .

OBJECTIVESTo determine whether -238G/A and -857C/T polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene promoter were associated with outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection.

METHODSA total of 246 HBV self-limited infected subjects and 443 chronic hepatitis B (HB) patients were recruited in this case-control study. TNF-alpha-238G/A and -857C/T gene promoter polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSThe frequency of TNF-alpha-238 GG (90.7%) in chronic HB group was significantly lower than that (95.1%) in self-limited group (P = 0.041). The frequency of TNF-alpha-857 CC (79.7%) in chronic HB patients was significantly higher than that (70.9%) in self-limited infected subjects (P = 0.021). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that both TNF-alpha-238GA and -857CC were independently associated with chronic HB.

CONCLUSIONSTNF-alpha promoter variants are likely to play a substantial role in influencing the outcomes of HBV infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Hepatitis B virus ; pathogenicity ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics