Animals ; Manganese ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Organometallic Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; chemistry ; metabolism

DNA barcoding method was conducted for the authentication of pollen materials due to difficulty of discriminating pollen materials bearing morphological similarity. In this study, a specific focus was to identify cattail pollen (Puhuang) and pine pollen (Songhuafen) samples from their adulterants which are frequently mixed-together. Regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 60 samples were sequenced, and new primers for cattail pollen were designed according to the sequence information. The results from the NJ trees showed that the species of pine pollen, Puhuang and their adulterants can be classified as obvious monophyly. Therefore, we propose to adapt DNA barcoding methodology to accurately distinguish cattail pollen, pine pollen and their adulterant materials. It is a great help for drug regulatory agency to supervise the quality of medicinal materials.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; classification ; genetics ; Pollen ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Typhaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immune potency of recombinant adenovirus combined with rAAV1 vector expressing HPV16L1 protein in mice.

METHODSThe rAdV and rAAV1 vector containing codon-modified HPV16L1 gene was constructed using Admax and AAVmax packaging system respectively. C57 BL/6 mice were immunized with purified rAdV and rAAV1 vector through intramuscular and intranasal inoculation routes, and the titer of neutralizing antibody was determined by neutralization assay based HPV16 pseudovirus.

RESULTSIntramuscular immunization by rAAV1-mod. HPV16L1 or combined with rAd-mod. HPV16L1 can induce higher titer of neutralizing antibody in serum than that of other groups. The titer of neutralizing antibody of intranasal groups is significantly lower than that of intramuscular group, although the prime-boost strategy using in intranasal group was effective to enhance the specific humoral immunity.

CONCLUSIONThe rAAV1-mod. HPV16L1 combined with rAd-mod. HPV16L1 can induce higher titer of neutralizing antibody in serum through intramuscular route than that of other groups at the 16th week after the first immunization.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; immunology ; Adenoviridae Infections ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Immune System Phenomena ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; immunology ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

To investigate the feasibility of using recombinant adeno-associated virus type 1 vector as prophylactic vaccine against HPV16 infection, rAAV1-mod. HPV16L1, the recombinant AAV1 vector containing codon-modified HPV16 L1 gene, was constructed. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with purified rAAV1 vector through intramuscular and intranasal inoculation routes, and the titer of neutralizing antibody was determined by neutralization assay based on HPV16 pseudovirus. The result shows that the single dose of rAAV1-mod. HPV16L1 can induce specific neutralizing antibody in serum through both inoculation routes. Compared with intranasal group, intramuscular group can induce higher titer of neutralizing antibody. Eliciting strong and prolonged neutralizing antibody in serum, the rAAV1-mod. HPV16L1 is one of promising HPV16 prophylactic vaccine candidates.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; administration & dosage ; immunology

Hypertension is a common complication after renal transplantation. Among post-transplantation patients died of cardiovascular diseases, about 41% have hypertension. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for kidney transplant failure. Post-transplantation hypertension can be caused by many factors, including the use of immunosuppressants. When the blood pressure exceeds 130/90 mmHg in a kidney transplant recipient, it is reasonable to provide active medical intervention. In summary, prevention and treatment of hypertension is important to prolong the survival of kidney transplant recipients.
Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Kidney Transplantation ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy

Kidney transplantation has become an important method in treating advanced renal failure. Immunosuppressants play a key tool in this progress. It is important to understand the goal, mechanism, and adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapy, so as to appropriately use these drugs in post-transplantation patients on a customized basis.
Aftercare ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; Long-Term Care

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of filaggrin gene (FLG) polymorphism with atopic dermatitis (AD) in southern Chinese Han population.

METHODSThe frequencies of the 13 known FLG gene single nucleotide polymorphism(SNPs), including 3321delA, 441delA, 1249insG, E1795X, S3296X, R501X, 2282del4, R2447X, S2889X, 7945delA, 3702delG, Q2417X, R4307X, were detected in a cohort of 50 AD patients and 100 control individuals using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFLG 3321delA and 441delA were detected in 14 (28%) and 6 (12%) AD patients, respectively. The other 11 SNPs were not detected in the patients. None of the 13 SNPs was detected in the controls.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that the FLG gene might be associated with atopic dermatitis susceptibility in southern Chinese Han population.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate NPM1 gene mutations in patients with primary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the clinical characteristics of patients with NPM1 mutants.

METHODSGenomic DNA corresponding to exon 12 of NPM1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 232 patients with primary MDS. Identification of mutants was by direct sequencing and classification of mutation types by sequencing followed by plasmid cloning.

RESULTSNPM1 mutants were found in 9 patients (3.9%). All the mutants were type A. As compared with those with NPM1 wild type, patients with the mutant were of lower ANC \[0.60 (0.12 - 2.91) × 10(9)/L vs 1.02 (0 - 10.23) × 10(9)/L, P = 0.046\], higher blast percent in bone marrow \[0.050 (0 - 0.090) vs 0.025 (0 - 0.190), P = 0.035\], decreased BFU-E \[0 (0 - 0)/10(5) BMMNC vs 6 (0 - 40)/10(5) BMMNC, P = 0.038\] and increased serum vitamin B(12) \[936.40 (373.80 - 2400.00) pmol/L vs 557.85 (17.00 - 3032.10) pmol/L, P = 0.045\] The chromosomal karyotypes of patients with NPM1 mutant were predominantly normal.

CONCLUSIONMDS patients with NPM1 gene mutations have some unique clinical and laboratory features. The results give new hint for the pathogenesis of MDS development and progression.

Exons ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Mutation ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between a blood pressure variability (BPV)-based scoring system (BPVSS) and the target organ damage in patients with hypertension.

METHODSWe selected 95 consecutive inpatients with essential hypertension admitted between January and June, 2015 in the Department of Cardiology of Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command. The BPV indices were analyzed for their correlation with the parameters of target organ damage (IVSd, LVPWd, baPWV_L/R, and IMT_L/R). The patients with a BPVSS of 3.9 or higher (control, 43 cases) and those with a lower BPVSS (observation group, 52 cases) were compared for differences in IVSd, LVPWd, baPWV_L/R, IMT_L/R and the proportion of carotid plaques.

RESULTSSimilar with the traditional BPV indices, BPVSS was negatively correlated with IMT_L/R (r=-0.278/-0.324, P<0.05). BPVSS was also negatively correlated with IVSd (r=-0.241), LVPWd (r=-0.223), and baPWV_L/R (r=-0.468/-0.373) (P<0.05). IVSd, LVPWd, baPWV_L/R and IMT_L/R were all significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (t=2.307, 2.516, 3.250/2.790, and 2.372/3.425, respectively; P<0.05). The proportion of carotid plaques in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (Χ(2)=27.833, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONBPVSS indicates the severity of target organ damage in patients with hypertension. A greater BPV is correlated with a lower BPVSS score and more severe damages of the heart and blood vessels.

Blood Pressure ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Essential Hypertension ; Humans ; Hypertension ; pathology

BACKGROUNDDuring the process of bone cement joint replacement, some patients show a series of complications, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or dyspnea. The cause of the complication is considered to be due to emboli caused by the femur prosthesis insertion. The purpose of the present study was to detect the pulmonary embolism in rabbits after bone cement perfusion by radioimmunoimaging, and to explore its protective measures.

METHODSForty rabbits, 2.5 - 3.0 kg weight, were randomly assigned to four groups, with ten rabbits in each group. Group I (no intervention): Bone cement perfusion was done after medullary cavity reaming and pressurizing. Group II (epinephrine hydrochloride intervention): The medullary cavity was rinsed with a 1:10 000 normal saline-diluted epinephrine hydrochloride solution followed by bone cement perfusion after medullary cavity reaming and pressurizing. Group III (fibrin sealant intervention): The medullary cavity was precoated with fibrin sealant followed by bone cement perfusion after medullary cavity reaming and pressurizing. Group IV (blank control group): The medullary cavity was not perfused with bone cement after reaming. In each group, the rabbits underwent femoral head resection and medullary cavity reaming. Before bone cement perfusion, 2 ml of developing tracer was injected through the ear vein. Radionuclide imaging was performed at 60, 120, and 180 minutes after bone cement perfusion, and the pulmonary radioactivity in vivo was measured. The rabbits were immediately sacrificed, and the pulmonary tissue was removed and its radioactivity was measured in vitro. Pulmonary tissue was then fixed and the pulmonary embolism and the associated pathological changes were observed.

RESULTSThe pulmonary radioactivity in vivo was measured at 60, 120, and 180 minutes after bone cement perfusion. The radioactivities of the four groups were 11.67 ± 2.16, 14.59 ± 2.92 and 18.43 ± 4.83 in group I; 8.37 ± 3.05, 10.35 ± 2.24 and 11.48 ± 2.96 in group II; 3.91 ± 1.19, 5.53 ± 2.95 and 7.25 ± 1.26 in group III; 1.04 ± 0.35, 1.14 ± 0.87 and 1.43 ± 0.97 in group IV. The radioactivities of groups I, II, III at 60, 120 and 180 minutes were significantly higher than group IV (P < 0.05). The pulmonary embolism could be detected. Pretreatment with epinephrine hydrochloride and fibrin sealant significantly decreased the pulmonary radioactivity in group II and group III, but it was still higher than in the group IV.

CONCLUSIONSRadioimmunoimaging is an alternative method for the dynamic observation of rabbit pulmonary embolism after bone cement perfusion. Radioimmunoimaging is the optional way to evaluate the effect of pretreatment with epinephrine hydrochloride or fibrin sealant on pulmonary embolism after bone cement perfusion.

Animals ; Bone Cements ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; Rabbits ; Radioimmunodetection ; methods