Two hundred thirty specimens of wild birds were collected from some areas in Heilongjiang Province during the period of 2003~2004, including two batches of specimens collected randomly from a same flock of mallards in Zhalong Natural Reserve in August and December, 2004, respectively. Primary virus isolation and identification for avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were performed. The results showed that only two specimens of young mallards collected from Zhalong Natural Reserve in August, 2004 were positive to AIV (isolation rate 0.9%), and one strain (D57) of these two virus isolates was identified to be H9 subtype by hemagglutination inhibition test. Meanwhile, the two batches of blood serum samples of mallards from Zhalong were also examined for antibodies against AIV and NDV. Among 38 blood serum samples collected in August, antibodies against the hemagglutinin of H1, H3, H5, H6 and H9 subtypes of AIV were found in 1, 0, 2, 0 and 8 samples, respectively; and 11 samples were found with antibody against NDV. Whereas the NDV isolation in both two batches of specimens of mallard was negative, all of the 32 blood serum samples collected in December were negative for antibodies against AIV and NDV.
Animals ; Animals, Wild/*virology ; Antibodies, Viral/isolation&purification ; Birds/virology ; China/epidemiology ; Hemagglutination Tests ; Influenza A virus/*isolation&purification ; Influenza in Birds/epidemiology/immunology/*virology ; Newcastle Disease/epidemiology/immunology/*virology ; Newcastle disease virus/*isolation&purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Optimization of cultivation condition of recombinant E. coli DH5 alpha/pDH-B2m and the condition suitable for expression of recombinant mature peptide of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 was carried out in 500 mL shaking flasks and then transferred to NBS Bioflo IV, a 20 L DO feed-back fed-batch culture system, to obtain rhBMP-2. The results indicate that keeping dissolved oxygen at 40% and controlling nutrient feeding rate with DO feed back strategy can obtain theoretically 3.59 g recombinant mature peptide of hBMP-2 per liter of broth, the final cell density OD600 reaches 57(22.8 g dry cell weight/L), and the expression of rhBMP-2 amounts to 30% of the total protein in E. coli.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Culture Media ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Fermentation ; Glycerol ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Time Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; analysis ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; physiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA, and explore the changes of apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS).

METHODSOf 18 CMS patients and 16 controls were enrolled in this study. The apoptotic index (AI) of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) was measured by TUNEL technique, the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in BMMNC of CMS patients and controls were determined by RT-PCR. Results (1)The AI of BMMNC in patients with CMS (8.51 ± 3.35)% was lower than that in controls (16.00 ± 4.28)% (P < 0.01); (2) The values of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA were (0.28 ± 0.07) and (0.23 ± 0.08) respectively, in CMS patients, which were significantly lower than those of (0.45 ± 0.09) and (0.41 ± 0.09) respectively, in the controls (both P < 0.01); (3) Hemoglobin (Hb) value was negatively correlated with levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA (r values were -0.52 and -0.61 respectively, both P < 0.05) in CMS patients. There was a negative correlation between AI and Hb (r value was -0.89, P < 0.01) in CMS patients. However, the significant relationship was not found between AI and level of caspase-8 or caspase-9 mRNA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed a decrease apoptosis of BMMNCs and reduced levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in CMS patients, the latter might be involved in the change of BMMNCs apoptosis.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of intranasal instilling titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on monoaminergic neurotransmitters at different-time exposure.

METHODSCD female mice were intranasally instilled three different-sized (25 nm, 80 nm and 155 nm) TiO, suspension every other day in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The control group was instilled the same volume of Milli-Q water. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze the titanium contents in murine brain after exposure to TiO2 particles 2 days, 10 days, 20 days and 30 days. The monoaminergic neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic (HVA), were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with electrochemical detector.

RESULTSAfter exposure to TiO, nanoparticles 10 days, the titanium contents in murine brain were increased, the titanium content in the 25 nm group was up to (1059.3 +/- 293.5) ng/g. In 20 days, the titanium content decreased slowly with the metabolism of titanium in vivo, but it kept at a high level, the content decreased to (654.7 +/- 269.2) ng/g in the 25 nm group. After exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles 30 days, the titanium contents had no obviously change. Because of the accumulation of TiO, in the brain, the contents of NE and 5-HT increased significantly after exposure to 80 nm and 155 nm TiO, nanoparticles 20 days, while the decreased contents of DA, DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe inhaled TiO2 nanoparticles could be translocated to and deposited in murine brain after absorbing by nasal mucosa, and further influence the releases and metabolisms of monoaminergic neurotransmitters in brain.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Biogenic Monoamines ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Chemistry ; Female ; Metal Nanoparticles ; Mice ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Time ; Titanium ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo determine the risk factors involved in the typhoon episodes and to put forward and evaluate the intervention measures.

METHODSWe defined a confirmed injury case as: 'a person with fall,scalpel and stab, collision, drowning, injuries and trauma due to flying debris and building collapse, asphyxiation due to entrapment in collapsed buildings by typhoon from 0 am,August 12 to 6 pm, August 14 2004' and a death case as: 'a person with fall, scalpel and stab, collision, drowning, injuries and trauma due to flying debris and building collapse, asphyxiation due to entrapment in collapsed buildings by typhoon from 0 am, August 12 to 12 am, August 18 2004'. We investigated all hospitalized injured cases in ten hospitals and telephoned to those who were not hospitalized and the cases of death. We did case-control study with 1 pair versus 2 cases. 74 cases were selected in ten hospitals. The controls were neighbors of the controls matched by occupation, sex, village, and within 5 years of age without injury in this typhoon. We asked the cases and the controls on their alertness regarding typhoon and what actions taken when typhoon arrived.

RESULTSThere were 392 injury cases in all ten hospitals and 50 death cases. The attack rate of injury was 27.3 per 100 000. The fatal rate was 11.3% with the death rate 3.1 per 100 000. We investigated 209 injury cases and 31 death cases. The number of cases who were injured from 1 to 6 hours before typhoon landing accounted for 64.6% (155) of all cases. The peak of epidemic curve was 4 hours before the landing of typhoon. Data on the analysis of 74 cases and 148 controls revealed that 42% (31) of the cases were outside their homes before and during typhoon compared to 15% (22) of the controls (OR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.9-7.7). Compared with 20% (30) control persons (OR = 17,95% CI: 4.2-68). 28% (21) cases did not receive the alert of typhoon before it arrived compared with 18% (27) control persons (OR = 3.3, 95% CI:1.3-8.6). 53% (39) of the cases did not pay attention to the alert of typhoon before typhoon arrived.

CONCLUSIONStaying outdoor, not receiving or did not take seriously about the alert of typhoon seemed to be the risk factors of injury by the typhoon episode, suggesting that the government should increase the emergency preparedness and to raise the awareness on risks associated with typhoon.

Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Cyclonic Storms ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo explore the distribution of lymph node metastases, to analyze the cliniopathologic factors of thoracic esophageal carcinoma after curative resection, and to provide the criteria of irradiated region delineation in radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 763 patients who underwent esophagecotomy from Jun 2002 to Jun 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The regularity of lymph node metastases of thoracic esophageal cancer and clinicopathological factors were stratified and analyzed with SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTSOf the 763 patients, a total of 5846 lymph nodes were dissected with an average of 7.7 lymph nodes in each case. Metastatic lymph nodes were 711, the ratio of metastatic lymph node was 12.2%, and 297 patients had lymph node involved, the lymph node metastasis rate was 38.9%. The metastatic lymph nodes of upper-thoracic esophagus were mainly observed in the supraclavicular and paratracheal regions (P < 0.05), the metastatic lymph nodes of middle-third thoracic esophagus were bidirectional, and those of the lower-third thoracic esophagus mainly metastasized to the regions adjacent to the esophagus, gastric cardia and gastric artery (P < 0.05). Both the metastasis ratio and rate of lymph nodes adjacent to the gastric artery in the lower-thoracic esophageal cancer were significantly higher than those in the middle-third and upper-third thoracic esophageal cancers (P = 0.007, P = 0.001). The multiple factors logistic regression analysis showed that tumor length, depth of tumor invasion, vascular tumor emboli and distant metastasis were major factors for lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01). For the whole group of patients the lymph node metastatic rate was 28.5% in upper-thoracic esophageal cancer, significantly lower than 38.8% of the lower-thoracic esophageal cancer (P = 0.039) and 43.4% in the middle-thoracic esophageal cancer (P = 0.010). However, the lymph node metastatic rates were 37.0%, 37.9% and 41.4% in the upper-, middle- and lower-thoracic esophageal cancers of the 592 cases receiving left chest notches, with a non-significant difference among them (P = 0.715).

CONCLUSIONThe lesion length, depth of tumor invasion, vascular tumor embolus and distant metastasis are the most important parameters for lymph node metastases. Operative modes have obvious influence on the distribution of regional lymph node metastases. Therefore, in the clinical management, a postoperative prophylactic radiotherapy may be selected according to the tumor length, depth of tumor invasion, vascular tumor embolus and distant lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Irradiation ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the morphological change of masseter after the mandibular angle osteotomy.

METHODSComputerized tomography (CT) examination was performed on 120 patients treated by mandibular angle osteotomy before operation and at 3, 6, 12 months after operation, respectively. The pre- and postoperative masseter muscle thickness and cross-sectional area were evaluated using 3D CT images observed from 3 selected slice planes, which were paralleled with Frankfurt horizontal plane. These CT images were stored and three-dimensional reconstruction were made for calculation of masseter muscle volume through software.

RESULTSAfter operation, the reduction of the masseter muscle volume and cross-sectional area was seen. The volume of the masseter at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively decreased to 82.02%, 77.00% and 80.43% (P < 0.05). The cross-sectional area at 3, 6,12 months postoperatively decreased to 85.81%, 78.86% and 81.56% at A plane, 80.94%, 75.03% and 77.04% at B plane, and reached to 13.46%, 11.48% and 13.89% at C plane (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The masseter thickness after operation was significantly different from that before operation during the follow-up period, but not at 12 months after operation at A plane.

CONCLUSIONSThe masseter atrophy happens spontaneously after mandibular angle osteotomy, especially at the region of mandibular angle. It should be considered during surgical design.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mandible ; surgery ; Masseter Muscle ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Osteotomy ; Postoperative Period ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore an appropriate measure to repair tissue defects and deformities in mandibulo-cervical region.

METHODSEighteen cases with severe tissue defects and deformity in jaw and neck were repaired with thoracic skin flap with multiple blood supply system in our unit from Jan. 2006 to Nov. 2008. Anterior cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery, intercostal branch of internal thoracic artery and lateral thoracic artery were included in the pedicles.

RESULTSAll skin flaps survived, except in one patient in whom a small belb appeared at the distal end of the island flap with anterior cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery, and it was healed after a few dressing changes. The functions and appearances were satisfactory after 6-month to 2-year follow-up, without showing secondary deformity.

CONCLUSIONSThe blood supply of thoracic skin flap is abundant and constant, which is an ideal method for repair of tissue defects and deformities in jaw and neck after taking into account some factors, such as the demand of the patient, general physical condition, and the size of the defect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; blood supply ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Thoracic Wall ; surgery ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the biological properties of human dental pulp cells (HDPC) by cloning and analysis of genes differentially expressed in HDPC in comparison with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF).

METHODSHDPC and HGF were cultured and identified by immunocytochemistry. HPDC and HGF subtractive cDNA library was established by PCR-based modified subtractive hybridization, genes differentially expressed by HPDC were cloned, sequenced and compared to find homogeneous sequence in GenBank by BLAST.

RESULTSCloning and sequencing analysis indicate 12 genes differentially expressed were obtained, in which two were unknown genes. Among the 10 known genes, 4 were related to signal transduction, 2 were related to trans-membrane transportation (both cell membrane and nuclear membrane), and 2 were related to RNA splicing mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONThe biological properties of HPDC are determined by the differential expression of some genes and the growth and differentiation of HPDC are associated to the dynamic protein synthesis and secretion activities of the cell.

Cloning, Molecular ; Cloning, Organism ; Dental Pulp ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Library ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction