200 citrinin mutants were screened with the inhibition zone method from the transformants library of Monascus ruber M-7 by Agrobacterium-mediate DNA transfer, which contains more than 5,000 transformants.Then 53 mutants, whose citrinin contents ranged from 0.04?g/g to 154.57?g/g in the red fermented rice (RFR), were achieved by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Color values of RFR prepared by these mutants were also detected.The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the citrinin content and the color value among the mutants.These results provide materials and research bases for ferrther studying the relationship between the production of citrinin and pigment of Monascus ruber at molecular level.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of the HBV-infected mothers' PBMC in intrauterine transmission of HBV to their fetuses.

METHODSThirty pregnant women with serum HBV DNA negative and PBMC HBV DNA positive and their newborns were used as the study group. Ten pregnant women with serum HBV negative and their infants served as the control group. HBV DNA in serum and in PBMC was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR). The mothers' PBMC in newborns' peripheral blood was examined using heminested-PCR.

RESULTSFour newborns were serum HBV DNA positive and 8 newborns were HBV DNA positive in PBMC in the study group. Among them, 2 newborns were HBV DNA positive in both serum and PBMC, 6 cases were positive in PBMC only, and 2 cases were positive in serum only. Five mothers had the GSTM1 gene; and it was not detected in 3 newborns. Among the 8 newborns with HBV DNA positive in PBMC, 3 did not have the GSTM1 gene, at the same time their mothers possessed the GSTM1 gene. Mothers' PBMC were detected in all of these three newborns' peripheral blood. HBV DNA in serum and in PBMC of the control group infants were all negative.

CONCLUSIONHBV-infected PBMC of the mother may serve as a vector in HBV intrauterine infection.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sleep status of college and high schools students.

METHODSPittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and self-manufactured questionnaires about siesta habits were used as tools. Three groups of students from medical college (MC), senior high school (SS) and junior high school (JS) were surveyed.

RESULTSIn the group MC, SS and JS, the occurrence rates of sleep disorders were 27%, 62% and 54%, respectively, and in which the appearance rates of insomnia were 17%, 19% and 19%, longing for sleep were 10%, 43% and 35% respectively. And there were no significant difference between schoolboy and schoolgirl. The occurrence rates of slack breathing were different (5/155, 1/154) significantly between group SS and JS. The distinct differences also were found in group JS and MC, in which students felt hot (10/155, 1/122) and in all the three groups, in which students felt sleepy (55/155, 62/154, 13/122) whereas the difference of sleepy between group SS and JS was comparatively distinct (55/155, 62/154). Significant differences were also found between group JS and SS, MC in average sleep time of (7.65 +/- 0.87) hours, (7.16 +/- 0.83) hours, and (7.10 +/- 0.57) hours. The time of falling asleep (median 15 min, 10 min, 20 min) and siesta habit (8/155, 19/154, 75/122) among group MC and SS, JS were different respectively and markedly, whereas siesta habit differences between group SS and JS were comparatively distinct (8/155, 19/154).

CONCLUSIONStudents in high school showed higher rate of longing for sleep, and this implicated they fall short of sleep time greatly and siesta could improve their sleepy signs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; epidemiology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; epidemiology ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly sensitive and specific assay to detect dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) IgG antibody, and to explore its value in the diagnosis and seroepidemiological survey of dengue.

METHODSThe DENV EDIII IgG antibody capture ELISA was developed using the recombinant full-length DENV EDIII, which was prepared by Pichia yeast expression system as the capture antigen. The serum samples were collected from the same group of 35 DENV-1 patients of primary infection during disease period in 2006 and their follow-up phase in 2010; and the sensitivity of the assay was compared to that of the commercial Panbio DENV IgG ELISA.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from disease period and follow-up phase was 87% (20/23) and 94% (33/35), respectively; whereas the sensitivity of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA was 71% (25/35) and 0, respectively. The sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from both periods was similar, without statistical significance (χ(2) = 0.946, P = 0.331). For serum samples from disease period, the sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA was comparable with that of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA (χ(2) = 1.924, P = 0.165). However, DENV EDIII IgG ELISA demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity than Panbio DENV IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from follow-up phase (χ(2) = 62.432, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONDENV EDIII IgG capture ELISA is highly sensitive in detecting IgG in the serum samples from either disease period or follow-up phase. This method might be a promising alternative for diagnosis and seroepidemiologic survey of dengue.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Dengue ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether 5alpha-reductase inhibitor and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) play a role in spermatogenesis in male rats.

METHODSThirty-two male rats were divided into 4 groups (Groups C, T, F and FT). Group C received plant oil injection and oral starch perfusion, Group T testosterone undecanoate (TU, 20 mg/kg) injection and oral starch perfusion, Group F plant oil injection and oral Finasteride perfusion, and Group FT TU (20 mg/kg) injection and oral Finasteride perfusion. Data on serum T and DHT, sperm count, sperm mobility and reproductive function were collected and analysed.

RESULTS(1) 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, Finasteride and TU reduced the weight of the testis and epididymis in the experiment groups compared with the negative control (Group C), but TU increased the weight of the prostate while Finasteride decreased it compared with the positive control (Group T). TU combined with Finasteride could counteract the effect of the weight increase of the prostate, but not that of the testis. (2) Finasteride, or Finasteride combined with TU, reduced the DHT but increased the testosterone level in comparison with the control group. (3) Both Finasteride and TU could inhibit epididymal sperm count and reproductive function compared with the control, but the effect was less significant in Group FT than in Group F.

CONCLUSIONHigh dosages of 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, Finasteride, can suppress male reproductive function, but the inhibiting effect could be counteracted by administration of 5alpha-reductase inhibitor along with TU.

Animals ; Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Finasteride ; pharmacology ; Male ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo produce neutralizing antibodies against envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of dengue virus serotype I (DENV-1) and evaluate the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for identification of antibody neutralizing abilities.

METHODSFive BALB/c mice and one New Zealand Rabbit were immunized with recombinant EDIII protein of DENV-1 for the production of hybridomas and hyperimmune sera. Indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western Blot analyses were applied to identify specificity of antibodies. Comparing to plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), the new established DENV-1 specific NS1 antigen capture ELISA was used for detecting the neutralizing abilities of these antibody.

RESULTSFour strains of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) named 1A1, 1B3, 3D3 and 9D6 and one hyperimmune serum of rabbit were obtained, all of which were approved to have neutralizing abilities to DENV-1 with the PRNT titer of 1:1024, 1:512, 1:256, 1:4096 and 1:4096. MAb 3D3 with the lowest neutralization titer in PRNT had not shown neutralizing ability to DENV-1 in NS1 antigen capture ELISA, while MAbs 1A1, 1B3 and 9D6 and the rabbit hyperimmune serum could protect the C6/36 from being infected by DENV-1 with the neutralization titer of 1:32, 1:32, 1:128 and 1:128 in this assay.

CONCLUSIONNS1 antigen capture ELISA could be used to identify antibody neutralizing abilities to DENV, it was a faster and more convenient way to screen antibodies with high neutralization titer and might also be used as one of the methods to evaluate the effects of vaccines.

Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutralization Tests ; Rabbits ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo identify the role of 5alpha-reductase in the spermatogenesis of male rats by studying the effect of two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, Epristeride and Finasteride, on the spermatogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSChanges in the weight of the testis, serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, epididymal sperm count, and reproductive function were observed and analyzed after the two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors were administered to male SD rats orally.

RESULTSThe experiment showed that in comparison with control animals, both the two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors: 1. suppressed the development of the prostate and reduced the weight of the testis in the experimental groups (P < 0.05); 2. decreased the serum level of dihydrotestosterone and enhanced testosterone; 3. inhibited epididymal sperm count and productive function.

CONCLUSIONHigh dosages of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, Epristeride, can suppress the development of the prostate and reduce the weight of the testis, decrease dihydrotestosterone, and inhibit spermatogenesis and productive function in male rats.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors ; Androstadienes ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Finasteride ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of administration of MPA with/without TU on serum sexual hormones and spermatogenesis of male rats.

METHODSTwenty rats had been classified into four groups. Each group received injection of saline(group A) or MPA(37.5 or 75 mg/kg) (group B or group C, respectively) or MPA (75 mg/kg) + TU (25 mg/kg) (group D) every month during three months. Data from serum sexual hormones (FSH, LH, T), sperm counting and motility had been collected and analysed.

RESULTSSpermatogenesis of rats undergoing administration of MPA with or without TU had been suppressed. Serum FSH and LH of group B, C, D declined, and so did serum T of group D. Testis of rats of group D atrophied and sperm counting of group D decreased remarkably compared with group B and C. But there was no statistics difference of the sexual hormone level among group B, C and D.

CONCLUSIONSAdministration of MPA alone could suppress the levels of FSH and LH and block the spermatogenesis of male rats. MPA combined with TU could offer stronger suppression on spermatogenesis. Mechanism of the suppression on spermatogenesis of MPA + TU is not only limited in the feed-back of gonadotropin, but there maybe exist a direct suppression on testis.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Drug Interactions ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Male ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; pharmacology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Objective:To analyze the potential role and prognostic value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at an early stage in arterial-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA -ECMO).Methods:Totally 83 adult patients with VA-ECMO from June 2018 to June 2020 treated at Emergency Department of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics between survivors ( n=46) and non-survivors ( n=37) were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk factors associated with 28-day mortality in VA-ECMO patients. The cut-off value was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:PLR48-h ( OR=1.018,95% CI: 1.001-1.036, P=0.039) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) ( OR=7.095,95% CI: 1.099-45.799, P=0.039) were relevant risk factors of 28-day mortality in VA-ECMO patients. The cut-off value of PLR48-h was 156.3 [sensitivity: 57.8%, specificity: 86.1%, and area under the curve (AUC): 0.756]. Compared with the high PLR group (>156.3), the incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI) ( P<0.001) and bleeding events ( P=0.013) were significantly higher in the low PLR group (<156.3). Conclusions:The early PLR reduction and CRRT application during VA-ECMO support are related to poor prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) combined with different systematic inflammation markers (SIMs) including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR)-in adult patients with venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).Methods:A total of 89 adult patients with VA-ECMO ( ≥ 3 d) in the Emergency Department of Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: survivors ( n=39) and non-survivors ( n=50). The baseline APACHE Ⅱscore and PLR, NLR, LMR before ECMO implantation and at 1, 2, 3 day after ECMO were recorded. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of 28-day mortality in patients with VA-ECMO. The utility of APACHEⅡ score and SIMs alone or combination for predicting clinical prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The patients were divided into the high risk group and the low risk group according to the best cut-off value, and the difference of ECMO-related complications between the two groups was compared. Results:When combined APACHEⅡ score with SIMs, APACHEⅡ + PLR 48 h + LMR 24 h + LMR 72 h demonstrated the greatest predictive ability with an AUC of 0.833. Compared with the high-risk group, the low-risk group has a lower incidence of acute renal injury, infection, bleeding complications, the use of continuous renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and a higher hospital survival rate.Conclusions:The combination of APACHEⅡ score and SIMs-PLR, LMR- is better than a single one for death prediction, and it is expected to be a new predictive model for early identification of the risk of death or poor prognosis in patients with VA-ECMO.