Objective To research the effect of Xiaoguruanjian pill on liver cirrhosis ascites patients and the regulation on blood NO and ET-1. Methods 133 liver cirrhosis ascites were divided into two groups randomly. 45 cases of the control group were treated with routine western medicine according to the patients state of illness, 88 cases of the treatment group were treated with Chinese herbal compounds Xiaoguruanjian Pill on the basis of routine western medicine. The total effective rate, liver function test, ultrasonogram of liver and spleen, the contents of blood NO and ET-1 of two groups were detected before and after the treatment, and the effect on blood NO and ET-1 of patients with SBP and renal dysfunction were observed too. Results There was a significant difference between the two groups in the total effective rate, improvement of the liver function test, ultrasonogram of portal vein diameter and spleen, and the regulation of blood NO and ET-1 level (P

To investigate plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-BNP) levels and to assess their clinical significance in elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction. Methods Plasma NT-BNP level were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 34 symptomatic patients (Group 1), 34 asymptomatic patients (Group 2) with isolated diastolic dysfunction, and in 16elderly healthy subjects (control group, Group 3), serving controls. Colored Doppler echocardiography was performed to evaluate the patients' cardiac structures and functions. Results The plasma NT-BNP level in Group 1 was significantly higher than those in Group 2 and Group 3 and increased with the severity of heart failure. There was no significant difference of plasma NT-BNP levels between Group 2 and Group 3 (p＞0.05). A NT-BNP value of 102.75 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 87.5%, and an accuracy of 88.1% for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction. Patients with restrictive filling pattern on echocardiography had higher NTBNP levels than those of impaired relaxation pattern (1961.2±304.9 versus 460. 1±92.7pg/mL, p＜0.001). Conclusion The elevation of plasma NT-BNP level in elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction correlates with the severity of their diastolic abnormalities.The level of plasma NT-BNP has an important clinical value in the diagnosis of elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the biological function of IFN-λ in 7 human esophageal carcinoma cells. MethodsThe gene expression of IL-28α, IL-10β and antiviral molecule was examined with PCR. The MHC molecules expression and the profiles of cell cycle were analyzed with flow cytometer. Cell proliferation was evaluated with MTT assay. ResultsAll of esophageal carcinoma cells express the gene of II-28α and IL-10β. IFN-λ induced or augmented the gene expression of antiviral molecules, 2′5′-OAS and MxA. IFN-λ enhanced the MHC class Ⅰ molecule expression. IFN-λ inhibited the growth of esophageal carcinoma cells through the regulation of cell cycle distribution. ConclusionEsophageal carcinoma cells express the IFN-λ receptor complex. IFN-λ has the antiviral, anti-proliferative and immunoregulation activity.

Objective To verify whether cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) can be used as an effective method to assess vestibular functions in diabetic rats ,we examined and analyzed cervical vestibular e-voked myogenic potential (cVEMP) in different duration diabetic rats and normal rats .Methods A total of 220 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=20) and diabetes group (n= 200) .The diabetic rats were further divided into 4 ,6 ,8 ,10 ,and 12 week groups (40 rats each group) according to the diabetes duration . Diabetes was induced by STZ .The general situation ,ABR and cVEMP were conducted in all the groups .Results All diabetic groups appeared typical diabetic symptoms including polydipsia ,polyuria ,more food ,weight loss (P<0 .01) and blood glucose elevation (P<0 .01) .The threshold of ABR was significantly elevated (P<0 .05) in the 6 , 8 ,10 ,and 12 week diabetic group .Compared to the normal group ,the threshold of cVEMP was significantly elevat-ed in 8 week(53 .87 ± 11 .16 dB nHL) ,10 week(67 .00 ± 12 .74 dB nHL) ,12 week(67 .00 ± 9 .23 dB nHL) diabetes groups(P<0 .01) and the mean latency of P1 peak was significantly prolonged (P<0 .01) in 8 week(5 .01 ± 0 .33 ms) ,10 week(5 .37 ± 0 .45 ms) ,and 12 week(5 .39 ± 0 .24 ms) .The mean latency of N1 peak was significantly pro-longed (P<0 .01) in 10 week (8 .98 ± 0 .86 ms) ,and 12 week (9 .08 ± 0 .45 ms) compared to the control group .As to P1 - N1 amplitudes ,there was no significantly difference among all groups (P> 0 .05) .Conclusion In the cVEM P test ,the threshold increased ,the PI peak latency and N1 peak latency prolonged from the 8 th week of diabe-tes rats models .Vestibular functions were descent gradually due to different degrees of vestibular end -organ impairment . All data indicated that VEM P could be used as an early diagnostic method .

Objective To construct a eukaryotic expression system of IFN-λ,examine the expression of IFN-λand evaluate its bio-functions including anti-proliferation and anti-viral activity.Methods The genes of human IFN-λ1 /2 (hIFN-λ1 /2)were cloned from the mRNA of poly I∶C treated HuH-7 cells.The PCR product was examined with DNA sequencing.The genes of IFN-λ1 /2 were sub-cloned into pcDNA3 vector.The correct insertion of the gene IFN-λ1 /2 was identified with enzyme digestion.The constructed pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2 plasmids were transfected into COS-7 cells and IFN-λ1 /2 protein was checked in the supernatant and lysis of transfected cells using Western blotting analysis.The human esophageal carcinoma YES5 and T.Tn cells were treated with the IFN-λ1 /2 from the transfected cells and the proliferation of carcinoma cells were measured with CCK-8 kit.In the treated carcinoma cells,the apoptosis and antivirus related molecules such as caspase-3,ISG15 and MxA was analyzed with Western blotting or Quantitative real time PCR.Results The sequence of hIFN-λ1 /2 fragment matched that of the gene bank and the gene of the cytokines was inserted into pcDNA3 vector correctly.With Western blotting analysis,IFN-λ1 /2 protein was detected in the pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2 transfected COS-7 cells.The IFN-λ1 /2 from the transfected COS-7 cells inhibited the growth of YES5 and T.Tn cells, activated apoptosis related caspase-3,and up-regulated the anti-virus gene expression of ISG15 and MxA.Conclusion COS-7 cells can express IFN-λ1 /2 after transfection with pcDNA3-IFN-λ1 /2,suggesting that eukaryotic expression system of IFN-λis established.IFN-λ1 /2 from the system can perform bio-functions,such as proliferation inhibition,apoptosis induction and anti-viral gene up-regulation,which indicates that the system can contribute to further investigations of IFN-λbio-activity and its clinical application.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the nasopharynx carriage status of opportunistic pathogens in non-infectious old people.METHODS The totally of 592 pharyngeal samples from old persons were collected.RESULTS The isolated rates of main opportunistic pathogens were Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Stomatococcus mucilaginosus,Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniaa.The isolated rate of single opportunistic pathogen was 45.8% and that of multiple opportunistic pathogens was 3.9%.The total carriage rate of opportunistic pathogen was 49.7%.The carriage rate of G+ or G-bacteria was 13.2% or 86.8%,respectively.The isolated rates of 2 multiple pathogens,S.pneumoniae and K.pneumoniae were increased with aging.The isolated rate of K.pneumoniae was higher in persons with more than 3 kinds of underlying diseases.CONCLUSIONS Aging,pharyngeal carriaging of S.pneumoniae,H.parainfluenzae,K.pneumoniae,et al and with multiple underlying diseases might be the risk factors for elder people to suffer from infectious respiratory disease.Isolating pharyngeal opportunistic pathogen among non-infection people is necessary and significant for prevention and treatment of infectious respiratory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of the newborns who failed initial hearing screening by analysing the distortion production otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) results of 1021 newborns with potential risk factors of hearing loss. METHOD: All newborns, who were born in obstetrical department and admitted in the neonatal department of the Nanfang Hospital during June 2009 to January 2012 and underwent initial hearing screening, were included in this study. Their clinical data and DPOAE results were analyzed retrospectively in order to identify the risk factors for failure of initial hearing screening in infants; cases who failed the DPOAE test were followed up by telephone interviews. RESULT: (1) One hundred and thirty-seven cases (13.42%) of the 1021 newborns did not pass the hearing screening. 51 cases (5.00%) did not pass the test in both ears. Meanwhile, left ear in 47 cases (4.60%) and right ear in another 39 cases (3.82%) failed the test respectively. (2) Univariate analysis showed that 14 factors had significant influence on the hearing screening results, such as birth weight, small for gestational age, multiple pregnancy, gestational age, delivery mode, oligohydramnion, oxytocin, blood sugar level of newborn, Apgar scores at 1 min, exposed prenatally to glucocorticoid, maxillofacial deformity, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal asphyxia (P < 0.01). (3) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that birthweight less than 1500 g, multiple pregnancy, Apgar scores of 0-4 at 1 min, exposed prenatally to glucocorticoid and maxillofacial deformity were risk factors for failure of initial hearing screening (OR were 3.132, 1.808, 2.615, 1.827 and 12.174 respectively; 95% CI were 1.466-6.691, 1.120-2.917, 1.317-5.336, 1.130-2.953 and 1.986-74.632 respectively). (4) Results of telephone interviews revealed that Apgar scores of 0-4 at 1 min would be a risk factor of language development. CONCLUSION Birthweight less than 1500 g, multiple pregnancy, Apgar scores of 0-4 at 1 min, exposed prenatally to glucocorticoid and maxillofacial deformity are risk factors of failure of initial hearing screening among newborns with potential hearing loss. Monitoring of the hearing condition of the infants at risk should be strengthened.
Deafness ; diagnosis ; Female ; Hearing Disorders ; diagnosis ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

To compare of performance of beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase gene (bgl) in different expression systems, the beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase gene (GenBank Accession No. EU623974) was amplified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS5582 by PCR and was cloned into three vectors pEGX-4T-1, pET20b(+) and pET28a(+) to construct pEGX-4T-1-bgl, pET20b(+)-bgl and pET28a(+)-bgl recombinant plasmids. The pEGX-4T-1-bgl was transformed into three different Escherichia coli host strains. The pET20b (+)-bgl and pET28a (+)-bgl were transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) respectively. Recombinant beta-glucanase was expressed by IPTG inducement in these recombinants. E. coli BL21 (DE3)-pET28a (+)-bgl had the highest enzyme activity. In Luria-Bertani medium, the total enzyme activity was (322.0 +/- 8.8) U/mL, which was 40.1% of original strain in optimal shaking flask condition. This recombinant's performance was studied in Terrific Broth medium under inducement of IPTG and lactose at the same time., and the highest total enzyme activity could reach (1883.3 +/- 45.8) U/mL (818.8% of the original), which indicate that the recombinant strain has a good value in industry application.
Bacillus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Endo-1,3(4)-beta-Glucanase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

The ECM25 deletion mutant of industrial brewing yeast, G03/a, was constructed by replacing the ECM25 gene with the kanMX gene. The transformant was verified to be genetically stable. The PCR analysis showed that ECM25 gene in the G-03/a was deleted. Under aerobic conditions of ll degrees C and 28 degrees C, compared with the host strain G-03, the excretive glutathione concentration of G-03/a increased by 21.4% and 14.7%, respectively. Strains G-03 and G-03/a were inoculated in flasks and cultivated continuously for 4 generations. Compared with the host strain G-03, the glutathione concentration in the main fermentation broth and final beer of strain G-03/a increased by 32.1% and 13.8%, the stability index (SI) increased by 7.7% and 5.3%, respectively, and the flavor resistance staling value (RSV value) in final beer increased by 45.0%. During EBC fermentation, the glutathione concentration in the main fermentation broth of strain G-03/a increased by 34.0%, compared with the host strain G-03. Furthermore, no significant difference in routine fermentation parameters was found. The strain G-03/a is proved to be an excellent anti-staling brewing yeast to improve beer flavor stability.
Beer ; microbiology ; Fermentation ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Glutathione ; secretion ; Recombination, Genetic ; Saccharomyces ; genetics

Objective To investigate the levels and significance of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of children with allergic rhinitis during pollen and non-pollen seasons.Methods Thirteen children with hay fever, 10 children with house dust mite(HDM)-allergic asthma and 10 healthy children were recruited into this study.Percentages of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry.Levels of IL-17, IL-10 and TGF-β in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Results (1) The percentages of Th17 cells in children with allergic rhinitis [(3.4±2.4)%] were significantly higher than those in HDM-allergic asthmatics [(2.1±1.6)%] and those in healthy children [(0.5±0.3)%] during pollen season (both P<0.05).The levels of Treg cells in allergic rhinitis group [(2.1±1.3)%] and in HDM-allergic asthma group [(3.6±1.9)%] were significantly lower than those in healthy control group [(5.5±2.8)%] (both P<0.05).The levels of Th17 cells [(3.0±1.9)% vs (3.4±2.4)%, P<0.05] and ratios of Th17/Treg cells [(1.4±1.0)% vs (1.7±1.5)%, P<0.05] in children with allergic rhinitis were significantly decreased during non-pollen season as compared with those during pollen season, but the levels of Treg cells were up-regulated [(2.4±1.6)% vs (2.1±1.3)%, P<0.05].(2) Correlation analysis revealed that the ratios of Th17/Treg cells were positively correlated with the concentrations of FeNO (fractional concentration of exhaled NO) (r=0.321, P<0.05) and the counts of circulating eosinophils (r=0.198, P<0.05) in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season.Conclusion The imbalanced Th17 and Treg cells in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season might play a vital role in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation.