The assessments of oocyte quality were usually needed in assisted reproductive technology and reproduction science.Based upon the changes of structure and biochemistry in the development of oocyte,assessments of oocyte quality mainly comprised the oocyte morphology and its maturity.The assessment method of oocyte quality from nondestructive manner and invasive technique to provide multi-pathway for evaluating the oocyte quality reasonable was discussed.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tiaogan Lipi Recipe (TLR) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients of Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSP-DS).

METHODSA randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed. Totally 99 NAFLD patients of GSPDS were randomly allocated into two groups, 66 patients in the treatment group (treated with-TLR, one dose per day) and 33 patients in the control group (treated with placebos, one dose per day). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. All patients received lifestyle interventions including moderate aerobic exercise, moderate caloric restriction, and dietary changes. Clinical symptoms, CT indices, liver functions and blood lipids were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the total score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01), and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Liver/spleen CT ratio increased in the treatment group (P <0. 01), and it was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01). After treatment levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) all decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), while levels of ALT decreased in the control group (P <0. 05). Besides, all the 3 levels mentioned above were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Levels of total cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05), and they were lower in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Total effective rates of TCM syndrome, abdominal CT, liver functions, and blood lipids were 79. 69% (51/64 cases), 54. 69% (35/64 cases), 67. 65% (23/34 cases), and 67. 39% (31/46 cases) in the treatment group, while they were 56. 25% (18/32 cases), 25. 00% (8/32 cases), 33. 33% (6/18 cases), and 55. 56% (10/18 cases) in the control group. All were superior in the treatment group (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONTLR combined with lifestyle intervention could safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients of GSPDS, elevate liver/spleen CT ratios, and play a role in liver protection, anti-inflammation, and lowering blood lipids.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipids ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Triglycerides ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of phosphorylated protein kinase C epsilon (pPKC epsilon) on apoptosis of 32D cells induced by sera from patients with aplastic anemia (AA).

METHODSThe expression of pPKC epsilon and apoptosis in 32D cells were measured by Western blotting and flow cytometry after incubation with sera from healthy individuals (controls, n = 8), patients with severe AA ( SAA, n = 8)and non severe AA (NSAA, n = 6).

RESULTSAfter incubation for 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours in the presence of serum and for another 4 hours in medium deprived of serum, the levels of pPKC epsilon in cells in SAA and NSAA group increased gradually, peaked at 24 hours, and then declined (P < 0.05). Compared with that in control group (0.54 +/- 0.08), pPKC epsilon was overexpressed in both SAA group (0.90 +/- 0.10) and NSAA group (0.64 +/- 0.08) (P < 0.05) after 24 hours incubation with serum and subsequent 4 hours without serum. pPKC epsilon level was higher in SAA group than in NSAA group (P < 0.05). A greater proportion of 32D cells showed apoptosis after 24 hours incubation with sera from SAA patients [(4.05 +/- 1.05)%] and subsequent 4 hours incubation without serum than that in controls [(2.45 +/- 0.51)%, P < 0.05], which was correlated with the same serum-induced expression of pPKC epsilon (r = 0.869, P < 0.05). Although the mean level of pPKC epsilon expression was higher in NSAA group than in control group, no significant difference of apoptosis was found between the two groups [(2.45 +/- 0.51)% vs (3.24 +/- 0.56)%, P > 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSera from both SAA and NSAA patients could upregulate the expression of pPKC epsilon in 32D cells. The SAA sera induce apoptosis in 32D cells significantly, but the latter do not.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; enzymology ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C-epsilon ; blood ; Young Adult

Oligonucleotide microarray is developed on the basis of hybridization on the solid substrate. The pre-activated glass substrates and the terminal modification of the oligonucleotides are the two important factors in the process of fabrication for microarray. In order to compare the hybridization signal intensity of the different terminal modified oligonucleotide probes, the eight kinds of oligonucleotides were designed according to the sequence of HLA-DRB1-12, including the amino modified oligonucleotides with PEG spacer and the one without spacer, the phosphorothioate modified oligonucleotides with PEG spacer and the one without spacer. They were modified on 5' terminal and 3' terminal, respectively. In addition, the oligonucleotides probes with the internal spacer of different number of PEG were designed to observe the relationship between the spacer of PEG and the hybridization efficiency. These probes were respectively fixed on the bromoacetylation activated and glutaraldehyde activated slides to manufacture the two kinds of microarray which hybridized with the fluorescence labeled PCR product of HLA-DRB1-12 gene. The results from the study demonstrated that the signal intensity of 3' amino-modified probes with the internal spacer of different number of PEG on the bromoacetylation activated slides was stronger than the others. It is concluded that the 3' amino-modified oligonucleotide with an internal PEG spacer and the bromoacetylation activated slide enhanced the hybridization efficiency and were worthy to be proposed for the fabrication of HLA microarray or other kinds of microarrays for detecting fluorescence labeled PCR product in the future study.
HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods

Objects To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of outbreaks of brucellosis in recent years in Gansu province,in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of this disease.Methods Data of brucellosis cases from 2005 to 2010 in Gansu province were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed; the data included the outbreaks in different times,locations,groups,source of infection,and clinical manifestations.Results There were 8 brucellosis outbreaks among humans and animals in the nine administrative villages,seven townships (towns),six counties (districts) of the whole province in 5 years,a total of 66 of confirmed new cases.The source of infection was mainly the sheep (Small Tailed Han sheep and Cashmere goat),followed by dairy cow.The outbreak time was mainly in the May to August.Occupation distribution:of all the patients found in the past 6 years,farmers were 59 cases,accounting for 89.39％ (59/66); students 4 cases,accounting for 6.06％ (4/66);and herdsman 3 cases,accounting for 4.54％(3/66).Conclusions Brucellosis outbreaks increase significantly in recent years,and the epidemic situation is not optimistic.

Objective To increase the awareness of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and correct diagnosis rate of AIP by investigating radiologic characteristic of AIP and small pancreatic cancers.Methods The clinical data and radiologic imaging of 24 AIP patients who met the Asia diagnostic criteria of AIP in 2008 and 25 cases of pathologically condirmed small pancreatic cancer were retrospectively reviewed.All imaging findings were reviewed,especially on the shape,enhancement patterns of mass,pancreatic ducts,peripancreatic and extra-pancreatic manifestations. Chi-square test and Fisher test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe imaging signs,including location of masses,distal pancreatic atrophy,enhancing mass during portal phase,truncated duct sign of pancreatic duct,capsule-like rim and renal involvement,was significantly different between AIP and small pancreatic cancer ( x2 =9.010,10.506,15.488,8.688,6.292 and 4.966 respectively,P ＜0.05 ).But only two signs,distal pancreatic atrophy and enhancing mass during arterial and portal phase,were statistically different between local AIP and small pancreatic cancer (P ＜0.05).ConclusionsThe typical imaging features of diffuse AIP is distinct and helpful for the differential diagnosis of AIP from small pancreatic carcinoma,but there is limited value in the differential diagnosis between local AIP and small pancreatic cancer.

ObjectiveTo observe the rehabilitative effect of patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke by manipulation treatment. MethodsThe patients with shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly divided into two groups, manipulation group (180cases) and control group (128 cases). Patients in the manipulation group were regularly given a passive quantitative movement on shoulder, elbow and hand joints,while patients in the control group were irregularly given a passive movement or ordered to perform an autonomic movement. The signs and symptoms of patients in these two groups were not much different. The rehabilitative effects were compared 3 months later. ResultsSigns and symptoms in the manipulation groups improved much better than that of the control group. Conclusions The manipulation treatment for the post-stroke patients with shoulder-hand syndrome is the method that is simple, effective and easy to perform.

Aged ; Bronchoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy

The antifungal, anti-bacterical, anti-brine shrimp activities of SD22 isolated from Paenibacillus daejeonensis Bacteria SS02 were studied. The separation steps included ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration and (NH4)2SO4 fractional precipitation, further purification was performed by SephadexG-75 and DEAE-32 chromatography. Its molecular weight determined by SDS-PAGE was 56.0 kD and its isoelectfic point was 6.4. SD22 was thermostable to some extent and stable to ultraviolet, but sensitive to some of the enzyme. SD22 could kill most pathogens from propagation, such as Rhizoctonia cerealis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Physalospora piricala, Trichodema viride, Gliocladium viride, Curvularia leaf spot, Fusarium sp, Fusarium head blight, Beauveria Bassiana, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis , Candidal vaginitis, Fusarium oxysporum Schl. emend. Sayder & Hansem et al. The results will be helpful to find out a novel antifungal protein.
Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ascomycota ; drug effects ; Bacillus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gliocladium ; drug effects ; Plants ; microbiology ; Rhizoctonia ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo establish a reliable model for drug screening and therapy by culturing rat femoral head and inducing cartilage degeneration quickly in vitro.

METHODSThe femoral heads from the same SD rats of two-month old were divided into control group and experimental group respectively. They were cultured with DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum or DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum plus 50 ng/ml IL-1β for three days. Femoral heads were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into slices. Specimens were stained with Toluidine blue and Safranine O-Fast Green FCF. The protein expression levels of type II collagen, MMP13, Sox9 and ADAMTS5 were analyzed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSBoth the Toluidine blue and Safranine O staining were pale in the margin of femoral heads which were stimulated with IL-1β for three days compared to that in control group. The Fast Green FCF staining was positive at the edge of the femoral head in experimental group, which indicated that cartilage became degenerated. The expression levels of both type H collagen and Sox9 were decreased significantly while the expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were increased in experimental group.

CONCLUSIONThe model of cartilage degeneration is established by culturing and inducing the degeneration of the femoral heads quickly in vitro.

Animals ; Cartilage Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism