Iron uptake mechanism of Vibrio alginolyticus was primarily investigated. V.alginolyticus could survive in the medium with high-concentration iron chelator. The strain of V. alginolyticus isolated from diseased fish produced more siderophore than that from marine environment. The extract of siderophore from V. alginolyticus could stimulate the growth of Escherichia coli mutant AN93. Under iron limitation,the growth rate was decreased and several outer membrane proteins were induced. Adding iron into the iron-limited medium the normal growth could be recovered.

Objective To investigate the prevalence features of helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection,anemia and iron deficiency in a po-pulation of Wuhan children with 2 to 6 years old,and the relationship between Hp infection and anemia,iron deficiency in the children.Methods Randomly taking 95 children who had taken tests in our hospital's check-up centre in 2008 as the study objects,2 kinds of exa-mination were employed to detect Hp infection.Serum levels of Hp-IgG were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods to evaluate past infection.The 14C urea breath test (14C-UBT) was conducted to obtain information of the presence of current/active Hp infection.In the morning 3 mL fasting venous blood was collected to determine the serum levels of Hp-IgG antibodies and ferritin.Hemoglobin values were determined with a hemoglobinometer.Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested in order to determine whether the children had evidence of current inflammation or infection.In addition,demographic information such as age and gender of the children and information about their use of antibiotics within the prior month were recorded.All cases were divided into 2 groups including the Hp infection group and non-Hp infection group according to laboratory examinations,then the Logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between Hp infection and anemia,iron deficiency.The Kappa identity test was taked to compare the 2 measures.Results Of the 95 children,18.9% were anemic and 36.8% were iron deficient.Forty percent of the cohort had Hp-IgG antibodies,74.4% tested positive by the UBT.Presence of Hp-IgG emerged as a significant risk factor for anemia,iron deficiency in adjusted analysis controlling for demographic factors,current inflammation,and antibiotic use.Conclusions Findings from different measure of Hp may reflect different stages of infection,with UBT results reflecting an earlier stage of infection,and presence of Hp-IgG reflecting established Hp infection associated with anemia,iron deficiency.

The traditional Chinese medicine (Tripterygium wilfordiiHook.f.,TWH) has been clinically used to treat primary and secondary renal diseases and proteinuria for nearly 40 years.However,there is a rare literature about the effect of triptolide (the main active ingredient of TWH) on the expression of oxidative carbonyl protein (OCP) in diabetic nephropathy (DN).This study aimed to provide experimental evidence for triptolide treatment on DN through its effect on the expression of OCP,in order to investigate the effects of triptolide on the expression of OCP in rats with DN.Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:control group,high-dose triptolide (Th) group,low-dose triptolide (T1) group,DN model group,and positive control (benazepril) group.The DN model was established using streptozotocin.Urinary protein excretion,fasting blood glucose (FBG),superoxide dismutase (SOD) in renal homogenate,malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal homogenate and renal nitrotyrosine by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of OCP by oxyblotimmune blotting were detected.In the DN model group,rat urinary protein excretion and renal MDA were significantly increased,while renal SOD significantly decreased and nitrotyrosine expression was obviously upregulated in the kidney.After triptolide treatment,24-h urinary protein excretion (61.96±19.00 vs.18.32±4.78 mg/day,P＜0.001),renal MDA (8.09±0.79 vs.5.45±0.68 nmol/L,P＜0.001),and nitrotyrosine expression were decreased.Furthermore,renal OCP significantly decreased,while renal SOD (82.50±19.10 vs.124.00±20.52 U/L,P＜0.001) was elevated.This study revealed that triptolide can down-regulate the expression of OCP in the renal cortex of DN rats.

1H NMR metabonomics approach was used to reveal the chemical difference of urine between patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome (XCHTS) and healthy participants (HP). The partial least square method was used to establish a model to distinguish the patients with Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome from the healthy controls. Thirty-four endogenous metabolites were identified in the 1H NMR spectrum, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed the urine of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome and healthy participants could be separated clearly. It is indicated that the metabolic profiling of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome was changed obviously. Fifteen metabolites were found by S-pot of OPLS-DA and VIP value. The contents of leucine, formic acid, glycine, hippuric acid and uracil increased in the urine of patients, while threonine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, acetamide, 2-oxoglutarate, citric acid, dimethylamine, malonic acid, betaine, trimethylamine oxide, phenylacetyl glycine, and uridine decreased. These metabolites involve the intestinal microbial balance, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, which is related with the major symptom of Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome. The patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome could be identified and predicted correctly using the established partial least squares model. This study could be served as the basis for the accurate diagnostic and reasonable administration of Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome.

1H NMR metabonomics approach was used to reveal the chemical difference of urine between patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome (XCHTS) and healthy participants (HP). The partial least square method was used to establish a model to distinguish the patients with Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome from the healthy controls. Thirty-four endogenous metabolites were identified in the 1H NMR spectrum, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed the urine of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome and healthy participants could be separated clearly. It is indicated that the metabolic profiling of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome was changed obviously. Fifteen metabolites were found by S-pot of OPLS-DA and VIP value. The contents of leucine, formic acid, glycine, hippuric acid and uracil increased in the urine of patients, while threonine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, acetamide, 2-oxoglutarate, citric acid, dimethylamine, malonic acid, betaine, trimethylamine oxide, phenylacetyl glycine, and uridine decreased. These metabolites involve the intestinal microbial balance, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, which is related with the major symptom of Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome. The patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome could be identified and predicted correctly using the established partial least squares model. This study could be served as the basis for the accurate diagnostic and reasonable administration of Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome.
Humans ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Syndrome ; Urinalysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and correlation of mast cell, Clusterin/apoJ and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the different stages of human dermal hemangioma.

METHODSImmunohistochemical stain technique (SABC) and toluidine blue (TB) stain technique were respectively used to detect the expression level of Clusterin/apoJ and TGF-beta and the number of mast cells in the different stages of human dermal hemangioma.

RESULTSThere was remarkable statistical difference between the advanced stage of proliferative hemangioma and the other stages of proliferative hemangioma in the number of mast cell(P<0.01). There was also remarkable statistical difference between the early stage of involutional hemangioma and the other stages of involutional hemangioma in the number of mast cell (P<0.01). The expression of Clusterin/apoJ and TGF-beta in the advanced stage of proliferative hemangioma was significantly higher than the other stages in proliferative hemangioma (P<0.01). The expression of Clusterin/apoJ and TGF-beta in the early stage of involutional hemangioma was significantly higher than the other stages in involutional hemangioma (P<0.01). There was a significantly positive correlation between Clusterin/apoJ and TGF-beta in the different stages of human dermal hemangioma (P<0.01). The expression level of Clusterin/apoJ and TGF-beta was positively correlated with the number of mast cell in the different stages of human dermal hemangioma (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONMast cell may play a promotive role of apoptosis during the spontaneous regulate the expression of Clusterin/apoJ and promote the spontaneous involution of human dermal hemangioma.

Apoptosis ; Clusterin ; Glycoproteins ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; Molecular Chaperones ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

ObjectiveTo explore the normal range of the volume of internal capsules in Chinese adults of the Han nationality and its relationship with age,body habitus,and craniocerebral volume.Methods One thousand healthy volunteers (age range =18 to 80 years) were divided into 5 groups according to their age;Group A ( 18 to 30 years old),group B (31 to 40 years),group C (41 to 50 years),group D (51 to 60 years),and group E (61 to 80 years).Each group consisted of 100 males and 100 females.MR imaging was performed in all of the volunteers using T1 weighted three-dimensional nagnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence. After three dimension data reconstruction,the volumes of bilateral internal capsules were manually measured. The volumes of bilateral internal capsules were compared by paired sample t test.The internal capsule volumes were compared between male and female by independent sample t test,and the differences among 5 age groups were compared by one-way ANOVA.The relationship between the volumes of internal capsule and age,body habitus or cerebral volume were analyzed using bivariate correlation.ResultsThe left and right internal capsule volumes were (2809 ± 393) and (2677 ± 343 ) mm3 respectively.The left internal capsule volumes were significantly larger than that of right (t =12.078,P ＜ 0.05 ).The left and right side of internal capsule volumes in male were (2863 ± 396) and (2744 ±358) mm3 respectively,and (2754 ±385) and (2609 ±314) mm3 in female.The left and right internal capsule volumes were larger in males than in female (t =1.982,2.851 ;P ＜ 0.05 ).The left internal capsule volume of the 5 age groups were ( 3273 ± 361 ),( 2943 ± 299 ),( 2777 ± 255 ),( 2607 ± 199 ),(2444 ±213) mm3,and the right were (2993 ± 361 ),(2814 ± 270),(2682 ± 239),(2543 ± 219),(2351 ±210) mm3.There were significant differences among 5 age groups between left and right internal capsule volume ( F =55.244,34.493 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).There was significant negative correlation between the volume of left and right internal capsule and age ( r =- 0.718,- 0.637 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions1.5 T MR scanner can be used to accurately measure the internal capsule volumes.There is a significant negative correlation between age and internal capsule volumes.

BACKGROUNDOlder subjects tend to have smaller ocular anterior segment. The present study aimed to measure anterior segment dimensions with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and quantitatively assess the effect of age and other factors.

METHODSAnterior segment OCT images were obtained in normal subjects residing in the greater Los Angeles area. Four line scans were acquired at the 90°, 45°, 0° and 135° meridians of each eye. Computer calipers acquired anterior segment dimensions of corneal diameter, anterior chamber width, corneal vault and anterior chamber depth on OCT images. Measurements from 4 meridians were averaged. Axial length and corneal power were measured by partial coherence interferometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTSSixty-six eyes of 33 normal subjects (aged 22 - 65 years, 19 Asians, 14 Caucasians) were enrolled. For every 1 year of age, corneal diameter was 0.033 mm narrower (P < 0.01), anterior chamber width was 0.031 mm narrower (P < 0.01), corneal vault was 0.016 mm lower (P < 0.01), and anterior chamber depth was 0.025 mm lower (P < 0.01). Asian eyes had smaller corneal diameter (P = 0.035) and anterior chamber width (P = 0.015) compared with those of Caucasian eyes. Body height showed positive correlation with corneal diameter (0.039 mm per centimeter of height, P < 0.01) and corneal vault (0.024 mm per centimetre of height, P < 0.01). Gender did not have an independent effect on anterior segment dimensions.

CONCLUSIONSAnterior segment dimensions were smaller in older subjects. Age-related changes may affect the tolerability of long-term implants such as phakic intraocular lens.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Anterior Eye Segment ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

OBJECTIVETo study the biological effects of 585 nm pulsed dye laser (FLPDL) in the treatment of congestive scar.

METHODSBy histological study, collagen VG staining and microvascular staining, we investigated the changes of collagen fibers and the density of microvessels in the congestive scars after FLPDL treatment.

RESULTSHistological and immunohistochemistry examinations showed that FLPDL achieved normal vascularity in the scar after over 3 times of treatment.

CONCLUSIONSPDL treatment can change fundamentally the physiology of wound healing if applied in the early phases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cicatrix ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Dye ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of colon cancer TH-29 cells and to explore its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSPhorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the activity of SphK1 and N, N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) was used to suppress the activity of SphK1. Cell prolieration and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The migration and invasion capabilities of the cells were assessed in Transwell chambers. The activity of SphK1 was assayed by autoradiography. Western blot was used to evaluate the protein expression of SphK1, p38, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) and SAPK/JNK.

RESULTSPMA and DMS were able to induce and suppress the activity and protein expression of SphK1 in a time-dependent manner, respectively. PMA enhanced and DMS suppressed the cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Being treated with 100 nmol/L PMA or 50 µmol/L DMS for 0, 6, 12, 24 h, the cell apoptosis rates of PMA group were (9.35 ± 0.84)%, (7.61 ± 0.48)%, (5.53 ± 0.76)% and (0.56 ± 0.33)%, contrastly, that of DMS group were (9.18 ± 0.94)%, (12.06 ± 1.41)%, (19.80 ± 2.36)% and (31.85 ± 3.60)%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the cell migration and invasion capabilities of the PMA group were significantly enhanced, and that of the DMS group were significantly suppressed. The migration cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 68.75 ± 6.15, 109.33 ± 11.63 and 10.83 ± 2.48, the invasion cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 55.42 ± 4.50, 90.58 ± 7.06 and 9.58 ± 2.39, respectively. With the elevating activity and expression of SphK1, the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were strikingly suppressed. On the contrary, after treating with DMS the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSSphK1 potently enhances the prolieration, migration and invasion of colon cancer HT-29 cells, meanwhile suppresses the cell apoptosis. The suppressing of the p38 and SAPK/JNK signalling pathways may be one of its molecular mechanisms.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinogens ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sphingosine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Time Factors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism