The article describes the development of new magnetic bead separation and purification instrument. The main application of the instrument is to capture tubercle bacillus from sputum. It is a pretreatment instrument and provides a new platform to help doctors to diagnose bacillary phthisis. Not only could it be used for tubercle bacillus capturing, but also for gene, protein and cell separating and purification. Because the controller of the instrument is 16-bit single chip microcomputer, the cost could be greatly reduced and it will be widely used in China.
Cell Separation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Magnetics

Objective To investigate the effect of slow-acting antirheumatic drugs on lipid profile and disease activity index in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Eighty-two patients with RA who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs including methopterin (MTX), salazosulfapyridine (SASP) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, while seventy-nine healthy volunteers were used for control. All persons were followed up for 12 months. The observations included 28 joint indices score (DAS-28), lipid profile, c-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Results Compared with the control group before treatment, RA patients exhibited higher serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides. Whereas, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower. After 12 months treatment, the disease activity index[(6.7±0.6)vs. (2.1±0.9)], ESR [(62±18)mm/h vs. (13±9)mm/h] and CRP [(2.2±0.3 ) mg/L vs. (0. 3±0.2 ) mg/L, all P<0.01] were significantly decreased and HDL-C [1.0±0. 1)mmol/L vs. (1.5±0. 3)mmol/L, P<0. 01] was increased in RA patients. Conclusions RA patients are characterized by an atherogenic lipid profile, which are improved after therapy. Immuno-intervention to control disease activity may reduce the risks for the atherosclerotic process and cardiovascular events in RA patients.

AIM: To investigate the influence of mifepristone on ultrastucture of human endometrium in the early secretory phase. METHODS: Endometrial tissue was obstained from 10 patients of reproductive age, who underwent a hysterectomy within 1 week postovulatory for gynecologic diseases not involving the endometrium. Patients were divided into mifepristone group ( n =5) and control group ( n =5) randomly. Each patient in the mifepristone group had taken 25 mg mifepristone per os 24 h before the operation was performed, while none of the control group had taken mifepristone. After removal of uterus, endometrial tissue was immediately acquired and prepared for electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the endometrial tissue in mifepristone group displayed the following distinctly morphological changes: (1) In the endometrial epithelium neither nucleolar channel system nor giant mitochondrium was seen, and subnuclear glycogen accumulation was seldom observed, but giant lysosomes were frequently found. (2) The intercellular spaces of the epithelium were narrow and straight, the indigitations of lateral plasma membranes were rarely visible. (3) Cytolysis and karyopyknosis of stroma cells and extravasal red cells were repeatedly observed. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned morphological changes in endometrium in the early secretory phase caused by mifepristone are undoubtedly sufficient to prevent implantation. Consequently, mifepristone may have a contraception effect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) levels with dementia.MethodsThe patients with dementia admitted to hospital were enrolled retrospectively.They were divided into a vascular dementia (VaD) group, a mixed dementia (MD) group, and an Alzheimer's disease (AD) group according to the Hachinski Ischemic Score, and the dementia severity was further divided into a mild group, a moderate group and a severe group according to the Mini-Mental State Examination.The non-demented patients hospitalized during the same period were selected as controls.The demographics, vascular risk factors, and plasma Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels in each group were compared.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent associations of the plasma Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels with the risk of dementia and severity.ResultsA total of 125 patients with dementia were enrolled, including 52 (41.6%) in the VaD group, 21 (16.8%) in the MD group, and 53 (41.6%) in the AD group.There were 49 patients (39.2%) in the mild group, 51 (40.8%) in the moderate group, and 25 (20%) in the severe group.A total of 40 non-demented patients were enrolled as control group.The plasma Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels in VaD, MD and AD groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.001).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the advanced age (odds ratio[OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.21;P=0.010), high plasma Hcy level (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.21-1.71;P<0.001), high Lp-PLA2 level (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02;P=0.006), and previous stroke (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.50-12.36;P=0.007) were the independent risk factors for dementia;high Hcy level (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.21-1.82;P<0.001, high Lp-PLA2 level (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.03;P=0.002), and previous stroke (OR 152.78, 95% CI 20.41-999.97;P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for VaD;advanced age (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.17;P=0.008) and high Hcy level (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.25-1.58;P<0.001) were the independent risk factor for severe dementia.ConclusionsThe increased plasma Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels are associated with dementia.Reducing the plasma Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels may be beneficial to the treatment and prevention of dementia.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in qnrA-containing transconjugants.Methods E. coli J53AzR as the recipient,4 qnrA-containing transconiugants were constructed by conjugation from 4 qnrA-carrying clinical isolates.MICs of the transconjugants were measured by E test.aac(6')-Ib-cr was detected by PCR,and qnrA mRNA expression level was determined by real-time RT-PCR.The promoter sequences of qnrA were amplified by PCR from qnrA-bearing plasmids and cloned into plasmid pKK232-8,then transformed into HB101.All promoter fragments were sequenced.Resuits The MICs of ciprofloxacin against 4 transconjugants demonstrated a 10-fold difference from 0.094 μg/ml to 1.000 μg/m1.Of 4 qnrA-bearing plasmids in E.coli J53,ciprofloxacin MICs of pHS4 and pHS5 were 0.094 μg/ml and 0.125 μg/ml,respectively;pHS3,which contained the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene as well,MIC was 0.25μg/ml;and pHS5,which had a high expression level of qnrA and the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene,MIC was 1.00μg/ml.The relative expression levels of qnrA mRNA in J53 pHS6 was 32.5,much higher than the other 3 transconjugants(from 1.0 to 2.5).The promoter in plasmid pHS6 was 12-fold stronger than that in the other 3 plasmids.Compared with pHS3,there was 7 bp(GTTAGCA)deletion between the transcription initiation site and the start of qnrA in pHS6.Conclusion Co-existence of qnrA and aac(6')-Ib-cr in a single plasmid and high level of qnrA expression can account for the different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in transconjugants.

Biochip reader is an important instrument for taking pictures of biochip. The accuracy of the instrument influences diagnosis of doctors. So it is important to reduce the nonuniformity of images and the error between the biochip readers. This paper describes the development of new standard plane light source, which can reduce the work load of calibration, improve the accuracy and speed of calibration, made the biochip readers more reliably.
Equipment Design ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; Light ; Microarray Analysis

AIM: To obverse the expression and localization of urocortin on ultrathin cryosections of syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta with immunocytochemistry technique under transmission electron microscope. METHODS: The human term placenta tissue from Cesarean delivery and normal labor were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and then divided into two parts. One part was for regular immunocytochemistry under microscope, and the other part was used to prepare ultrathin cryosections for immunocytochemistry under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: 1.Uroncortin mainly distributed in cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta under microscope. Urocortin also appeared in cytoplasm in some stromal cells. 2. Under transmission electron microscope, the anti-urocortin gold particles were observed in cytoplasm of syncytioptrophoblast ultrathin cryosections and sited on rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The anti-urocortin gold particles also appeared on nucleus and nuclear membrane of syncytiotrophoblast. CONCLUSION: Syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta synthesized and secreted urocortin. The internalization of urocortin within syncytiotrophoblast nuclear indicates that urocortin may act as intracrine.

Objective To detect the clinical pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial-resistant genes quickly and sensitively using DNA chip.Methods Based on the analysis of 23S rRNA gene se- quences and other genes sequences associated with antimicrobial resistance(SHV＜CTX_M),oligo nucleotide microarray was designed according to different bacteria and antimicrobial-resistant genes. The DNA fragments were amplified by labeling Cy5 fluorescence and detect clinical pathogenic bacte- rias and antimicrobial-resistant genes by hybridization.Results The result of detection(10~3-10~6 bac- teria/ml)was consistent with that of some documents in domestic and overseas under ideal circum- stances of detecting bacteria genomic DNA by the Reagent Box.And it was specific and reproducible when the detection system were evaluated with some clinical isolates and drug-resistant standard strain.DNA chip could identify 16 species and 7 generics including common diverse clinical pathogenic bacteria,and could detect the drug-resistant of extended spectrum?lactamase gene simultaneously. Conclusions The methods that we have established DNA chip is a sensitive,specific and reproducable tool for supplying routine methods.

ObjectiveTo explore the superiority of the screw CT in diagnosing the cerebral palsy complicated with dislocation of hip joint compared with the traditional X-ray.Methods35 patients with cerebral palsy were checked with screw CT and X-ray, and then their Perkin's check, Shenton line and Calve line were individually measured.Results24 cases(68.57%) are half dislocation of hip joint. The abnormalities of Perkin's check, Shenton line and Calve line in hip joint showed in screw CT were respectively compared with X-ray. The statistics shows P<0.05 or <0.01.Conclusions The screw CT is superior to the traditional X-ray in diagnosing the cerebral palsy complicated with dislocation of hip joint and can provide the important anatomy information.

The crown-root ratio (C/R) theory of natural teeth has been widely recognized in the field of stomatology,and has important clinical significance in predicting and assessing the prognosis of natural teeth as well as for abutment selection during denture restoration. In the past few decades, scholars have advocated for the implantation of implants as long in length as possible to improve the success rate according to the theory of crown-root ratio of natural teeth. However, with the application of short implants, our philosophy of implantation has changed, and the relationship between the crown-implant (C/I) ratio and complications has become one of the current research hotspots. In this paper, the concept of the crown-implant ratio, the research progress of the C/I ratio, the implant survival rate and clinical complications of implant restoration were reviewed and summarized, and the following suggestions were put forward: although most studies have shown no significant correlation between the C/I ratio and implant survival or marginal bone loss, this relationship may increase the risk of mechanical complications. A C/I < 3 and a crown length < 15 mm are recommended in implant restoration; when ultra-short implants are applied, the implant system can increase the bone-to-implant contact area, and splint prostheses such as crown or bridge are recommended.