60 Candida strains were analyzed with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) from HIV-infected patients' oral cavity.The results showed that RAPD-PCR fingerprinting appeared from zero to five bands whose size rang from 300 bp to 2 kb with P2 primer,Candida albicans have three characteristic bands of 300 bp,400 bp and 600 bp in size,non-Candida albicans have the similar bands.They can be clas-sified five genetic clusters and 14 genotypes by Cluster Analysis,two Candida albicans(P385&P403) with fluorocytosine-resistance were classified into C1 genotype for "Squared Euclidean Distance" being 0.115,one Candida albicans(P321) and one Candida glabrata(P522) who were resistant against Amphotericin B were classified into D1 genotype for "Squared Euclidean Distance" being 0.221.So,an abundant genetic polymorphism appeared in Candida species related HIV,RAPD could be as a reference for genotype of Candida albicans;different Candida speices had some special bands,different Candida strains had similar bands in the same species;it is perhaps that some genotypes were relevant to drug resistance.

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical effect of T-shaped locking internal fixation and external fixation in treating dorsal Barton's fracture,and investigate selective strategy of internal fixation.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to January 2013, 100 patients with dorsal Barton's fracture were randomly divided into two groups. In treatment group, there were 30 males and 20 females with an average age of (33.8±3.6) years old;30 cases were type B, 20 cases were type C;and treated with T-shaped locking internal fixation. In control group, there were 32 male and 18 females with an average age of (32.9±3.4) years old; 29 cases were type B, 21 cases were type C; and treated with external fixation. Volar tilt, ulnar deviation and radial height at 3 months after operation were detected and compared between two groups. Mechara functional evaluation were used to evaluate postoperative clinical effects. Clinical cure time, postoperative complications,joint mobility and function score were recorded and compared between two groups.

RESULTSIn treatment group,volar tilt was (11.9±2.7)°, ulnar deviation was (20.8+ 2.9)°,and radial height was (10.9±1.8) mm; while volar tilt was (9.1±1.6)°, ulnar deviation was (17.1±2.9)°, and radial height was (8.1±1.5) mm in control group. Treatment group was better than control group in volar tilt, ulnar deviation and radial height. Clinical cure time in treatment group was(12.0±2.3) weeks, shorter than control group (18.0±4.1) weeks. The incidence of complications in treatment group was lower than control group. According to Mehara functional evaluation,20 cases got excellent results, 25 good, 3 moderate and 2 poor in treatment group; 16 cases got excellent results, 14 good, 10 moderate and 10 poor in control group. Treatment group was better than control group in clinical effects.

CONCLUSIONT-shaped locking internal fixation with postoperative functional exercise for the treatment of dorsal Barton's fracture fits for biomechanics demands,and has advantages of stable fixation,rapid recovery, less complications and good functional recovery, it has better clinical effects.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Wrist Injuries ; surgery

Objective To investigate the changes of the serum sex steroids levels in prepuberal children with autism,and analyze the possible clinical implications.Methods The serum sex steroids,including folliclestimulating hormone(FSH),luteotropic hormone(LH),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),progesterone(P),dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S) and androstenedione were measured in 44 autistic children(35 boys and 9girls,47.5 ± 18.9 months) and 44 normal children(35 boys and 9 girls,45.0 ± 18.7 months),using chemiluminescence immunoassay.Results ①The progesterone levels in autism group were significantly lower than control group((＜ 0.48,2.08) nmoL/L vs (＜ 0.48,6.95) nmol/L,Z =-3.564,P ＜ 0.01),but no statistical differences were observed in other sex steroids levels(P＞ 0.05).②The progesterone levels in ＜ 48 months autism group showed no significant differences from ≥48 months autism group (Z =0.150,P ＞ 0.05).There were no statistical differences in progesterone level between the boys and girls of the autism group(Z=1.972,P＞0.05).Conclusion The progesterone levels are lower in autistic children,and they are not associated with the children's age or gender.This study indicates that the progesterone levels are closely associated with autism.

Objective To detect Chlamydia trachomatis phage Vp1 gene in clinical swab specimens and anti-Vp1 antibodies in serum specimens.MethodsCervical and urethral swab as well as serum specimens were collected from attendees to the sexually transmitted disease(STD) clinic in the Tianjin Institute of STD,during March 2008 to March 2011.PCR was conducted to detect chlamydial phage Vp1 gene in swab samples,enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot to detect anti-Vp1 antibody in sera.The swab specimens positive for Vp1 gene were subjected to cell culture followed by the detection of Vp1 protein with an immunofluorescence-based method.ResultsTotally,36 out of 1542 swab specimens turned out to be positive for Vp1 gene,and 23 out of 453 serum specimens for anti-Vp1 antibody.No positive results were obtained in the Vp1 gene-positive swab specimens by cell culture and immunofluorescence-based assay.ConclusionThe Vp1 gene of Chlamydial trachomatis phage and anti-Vp1 antibody are successfully detected from clinical swab and serum specimens respectively.

BACKGROUNDProteasome subunits (PSMB) and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) loci are located in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II region play important roles in immune response and protein degradation in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PSMB and TAP and Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSA case-control study was conducted by genotyping SNPs in PSMB8, PSMB9, TAP1, and TAP2 genes in the Chinese population. Subjects included 542 sporadic patients with PD and 674 healthy controls. Nine identified SNPs in PSMB8, PSMB9, TAP1, and TAP2 were genotyped through SNaPshot testing.

RESULTSThe stratified analysis of rs17587 was specially performed on gender. Data revealed that female patients carry a higher frequency of rs17587-G/G versus (A/A + G/A) compared with controls. But there was no significant difference with respect to the genotypic frequencies of the SNPs in PSMB8, TAP1, and TAP2 loci in PD patients.

CONCLUSIONChinese females carrying the rs17587-G/G genotype in PSMB9 may increase a higher risk for PD, but no linkage was found between other SNPs in HLA Class II region and PD.

ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 2 ; genetics ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 3 ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigen Presentation ; Case-Control Studies ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; immunology ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the influences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the levels of human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 apoptosis and death.

METHODSHuman acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H37Ra, H37Rv, or Beijing genotype (BJTB), respectively, to construct the infection models. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The distribution of the apoptotic proteins was detected using immunofluorescent staining assays. The cells late apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining assays. The change of cell death was determined by Tyrpan blue staining assays.

RESULTSTHP-1 apoptosis was induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H37Ra, H37Rv, and BJTB. H37Ra strongly induced THP-1 apoptosis, H37Rv weakly induced THP-1 apoptosis, and BJTB induced THP-1 apoptosis at the lowest level among these three Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. On the contrary, BJTB strongly induced THP-1 death, H37Rv weakly induced THP-1 death, and H37Ra induced THP-1 death at the lowest level.

CONCLUSIONSMycobacterial strains with different virulence induce different levels of apoptosis and death of THP-1 cells. Compared with highly virulent strains, attenuated strains induce more apoptosis and less death.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; pathogenicity ; Virulence

[Objective] To observe the specific immune responses induced by the recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis E serotype in rhesus monkeys.[Methods] Six rhesus monkeys were equally divided into three groups:adjuvant and protein group vaccinated with purified rMOMP and Freund's adjuvants,adjuvant group immunized with Freund's adjuvants only,and control group immunized with phosphate buffer.All the rhesus monkeys were intramuscularly immunized in the triceps brachii for 3 times at a 2-week interval.Two weeks after the last vaccination,serum,vaginal wash and venous blood samples were collected from the rhesus monkeys,and lymphocytes were isolated from the blood samples.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the specific IgG antibody and interferon level in sera and secretory IgA (sIgA) level in wash samples,and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to evaluate the proliferation of lymphocytes after stimulation with Chlaraydia trachomatis serotype E elementary bodies.Delayed hypersensitivity was observed in rhesus monkeys challenged by inactivated Chlamydia trachomatis serotype E elementary bodies.In vitro antibody neutralization assay was conducted with the serum from rhesus monkeys.Indirect immunofluorescenee was used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis in exfoliative vaginal cells from rhesus monkeys from week 1 to 10 after challenge with Chlamydia trachomatis.Data were statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) test with the SPSS 14.0 software.[Results] The adjuvant and protein group differed statistically from the adjuvant group and control group in the serum level of specific IgG antibody (1.718 ± 0.213 vs.0.841 ± 0.315 and 0.791 ±0.437,both P＜ 0.05),interferon ((1086 ± 121.730) ng/L vs.(409 + 53.440) ng/L and (162 ± 48.046) ng/L,both P＜ 0.05),lymphocyte proliferation index (7.012 ± 1.026 vs.4.473 ± 1.850 and 1A26 ± 1.104,both P＜0.01 ) and the diameter of nodus in delayed hypersensitivity assay ( ( 1 1 ± 2.134) mm vs.(3 ± 0.914) mm and 0,both P ＜ 0.01 ).After attack,the exfoliative cells kept positive for Chlamydia trachomatis in the adjuvant and protein group from week 1 to 5,and in the other 2 groups from week 1 to 10,but were negative in the adjuvant and protein group from week 6 to 10.[Conclusion] The rMOMP vaccine can induce a specific,protective,humoral and cellular immune response against Chlamydia tracbomatis in rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenluotong Decoction (SD) on serum levels of aldosterone, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) in obstructive nephropathy rats, and to explore the initial mechanism of SD for inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =12) and the model group (n =36). Renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After successful modeling, 36 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 12 in each group. Eplerenone was added in the forage at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for rats in the Western medicine group. Chinese medicine was added in the forage at the daily dose of 26 g/kg for rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily. The obstructive kidneys were extracted ten days after medication. The pathomorphological changes were observed. The contents of serum aldosterone and MCP-1, and the protein or mRNA expression of MCP-1, α-SMA, and NF-KB were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, infiltration of a large amount of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition significantly increased, serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1 obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were significantly enhanced in the model group (P <0.01). Com- pared with the model group, infiltration of inflammatory cells and renal collagen deposition were attenua- ted in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group, the serum MCP-1 level were reduced, and the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 were significantly down-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were obviously inhibited (P <0. 01). At the same time, serum aldosterone level was reduced in the Chinese medicine group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSinflammatory lesions of the renal tissue could promote the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy. SD could attenuate interstitial fibrosis through reducing serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1, down-regulating MCP-1/ NF-KB, and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo present our experience in using decompressive craniectomy (DC) among severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients during operation and to discuss its indication.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to May 2009, 41 patients aged between 18 and 75 years with severe TBI were included in this study. They underwent DC or non-DC (NDC) according to their intraoperative findings. Postoperative intracranial pressure (ICP), complications, requiring second operation or not and outcomes were observed.

RESULTSFifteen patients underwent DC and 26 patients did not. The average postoperative ICP of each patient was lower than 20 mm Hg. For patients received DC, 2 had seizures after operation and 1 developed cerebrocele in the follow-up period; only 1 NDC patient had post-traumatic seizures, but none of them had delayed haematoma, cerebrospinal fluid fistula, cerebrocele or infections. At the end of follow-up, 10 patients died, 6 had the GOS of 2, 2 of 3, 9 of 4 and 14 of 5.

CONCLUSIONSDC is necessary to manage fulminant intracranial hypertension or intraoperative brain swelling. If there was not brain swelling after removal of the haematoma and necrotized neural tissues, it is safe to replace skull flap. The intraoperative finding is an important factor to decide whether to perform DC or not.

Brain Injuries ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Intracranial Pressure ; Skull ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the degrees on the epidemic foci of Angiostronglus cantonensis and to explore the measurement methods.

METHODSSnails (Pila gigas) were collected from the spots of Wenzhou, Cangnan, Yongjia, Yueqing in Zhejiang province and Minhou, Changle, Ningde in Fujian province. The snails were examined microscopically in order to calculate their infection rates and the average worm number in the positive snails, then taking the product of multiplication of both values as infestation index.

RESULTSThe infection rates of the epidemic foci were 10.59% (9/85), 60.74% (181/298), 34.96% (79/226), 32.90% (76/231), 57.50% (184/320), 40.00% (82/205), 17.65% (12/68) and the rates of infectivity were 6.57, 183.54, 121.73, 93.45, 276.36, 76.08, 12.65, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic foci were divided into five ranks (super, high, mid-range, low and non-epidemic foci) according to the value of infestation index which ranked from > 75, 30-75, 5-29, < 5 to 0.

Angiostrongylus ; pathogenicity ; Animals ; China ; Disease Outbreaks ; Snails ; parasitology ; Strongylida Infections ; epidemiology