Blood Gas Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; therapy ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Male ; Respiration, Artificial

Objective To clone the genes coding for cysteine proteases (CPs, TvCPs) from Trichomonas vaginalis and to analyze their genetic variations with the related sequences from NCBI database (GenBank) and T. vaginalis Genome Project database from The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR). Method TvCP genes were amplified using PCR, and inserted into vector pET28b or pBS-T. The recombinant plasmids were then transformed to Escherichia coli BL21 or Top10 strain. The recombinant plasmids were used for sequencing. Homologous TvCP genes were blasted based on NCBI GenBank and TIGR T. vaginalis Genome Project database. The sequences of cloned TvCP genes were aligned and clustered by Clustal X (1.83 version) with retrieved sequences. Comparisons of amino acids among cathepsin L-like TvCPs, human L-like cathepsins and papaya papain were performed using DNAstar software, and their phylogenic tree was constructed based on neighbor-joining method using Clustal X. Results Two TvCP3 clones and one TvCP2 had a high identity of more than 99% with their responding TvCPs. Three clones of TvCP4 genes, GZ-CP4-clone 1-3, belonged to two members of a family showing a high percentage identity of more than 97.5% with the sequences of TvCP4 genes from databases (GenBank and TIGR) both at amino acid and nucleotide levels. Nine homologous TvCP4 pro-enzymes with 304 amino acids and other two members with deletions of N-terminal sequence existed in T. vaginalis sharing a similarity of 62.3-96.7% amino acids, which may evolve by means of gene replication and deletion. TvCP1-4, TvCP12, TvCP25 and CP65 had an identity of 61-88.2% at amino acid levels. So far, all reported sequences of C1 family from T. vaginalis belonged to capanthesin L-like subfamily with the same enzymatic active sites, conserved cysteine residues and similar structural features such as ERFNIN-like motif in pro-enzyme region, suggesting that they might result from gene duplication and mutations. Conclusion TvCPs belong to cathepsin L-like family with genetic diversity, but they have the same active amino acid residues, cysteine residues and similar structural characteristics, suggesting that they may derive from one ancestor.

Objective To analyze comprehensively the monitoring data of iodized salt in Zhangjiakou city during 2001 to 2009, and to provide basic information for working out control strategies of the iodine deficiency disorders. Methods According to the iodized salt monitoring requirements in National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Monitoring Program of Ministry of Health, a batch of nine salt samples were taken from each processing (wholesale)company of each county or district of the seventeen counties(districts) of Zhangjiakou once a month. Two townships (towns, street offices) were selected by their location of east, south, west and north in each county(district), and a township in central area each year. Four villages(neighborhoods) were selected in each township(town, street office),and eight household salt samples were collected in each village(neighborhood), and quantitatively determined by direct titration of iodine. Results Iodized salt processing(wholesale) : during 2001 to 2009, a total of 1728 batches was monitored, 1689 batch qualified, batch qualification rate 97.74%;15552 salt samples were tested, 15 357 qualified, iodized salt qualification rate 98.75 %. Household salt levels : 5297 villages (neighborhoods) of 1305 townships(towns, street offices) were monitored, 44 316 salt samples were collected, 43 274 qualified, iodized salt qualification rate 98.04%(43 274/44 141 ), iodized salt coverage rate 99.61%(44 141/44 316), qualified iodized salt consumption rate 97.65%(43 274/44 316). Rate of non-iodized salt was 0.40%(260/44 316), and salt median iodine was 30.02 mg/kg. Conclusions The iodized salt quality indicators are within the state-controlled range in Zhangjiakou city for nine years which remaines at relatively stable levels with a smaller range of annual fluctuations.Detection of non-iodized salt over the years has become the main factors affecting the effectiveness of the prevention and control measures.We should increase monitoring,supervision,and universal health education,and prevent the spread of non-iodized salt.

Objective:To establish the ISSR fingerprint of Chrysanthemum morifolium cultivated in Futianhe area of Macheng county to guide the breeding of C. morifolium. Methods:Using the technology of ISSR molecular markers and the software of SPSS 15. 0, the coefficient matrix of Jaccard was established and the tree graph of the genetic relationship of the breeds of C. morifolium cultivated in Fu-tianhe area was built to analyze the respective genetic relationship and features. Results:By ISSR analysis, it confirmed that C. morifoli-um in Futianhe area had long genetic distance with the other white chrysanthemum breeds, and it could be considered as an individual breed. Conclusion:The ISSR map can be used to identify the breed of C. morifolium cultivated in Futianhe area.

Objective To study the response characteristics of left and right brain to signals from left(LVF) and right(RVF) visual fields during cognitive activity. Method ERPs at 9 locations to LVF and RVF signals were compared in 23 normal subjects in 3 task conditions:looking forward only (VC); making switch response to target signals(T) only(SR); making switch response to T differentially(DR). Result (1)Significant difference in ERPs was found between that induced by LVF and RVF signals on left brain especially at frontal location(F5), which appeared as slow negative deflection induced by T and NT from RVF in SR and DR;(2) Condition-dependent unsymmetrical features between left and right brain were found: the slow potential at F5 was significantly more negative in T and contralateral spatial relation(i.e., left brain for RVF) but more positive in NT and ipsilateral relation than that at F6.Conclusion Signals with psychological meaning in RVF might cause more psychological load as suggested by the results obtained in this study.

The VEPs evoked by different colors are differently distributed on human cerebral cortex. This study sought to shed light on the spatio-temporal distribution of chromatic VEPs and compare the distribution characteristics of chromatic VEPs evoked by different colors in different cerebral cortex regions. The subjects were asked to stare at the red, green, black gradient bars against a white background. The results show that the latency periods and the amplitudes of P1 and N1 peaks from different chromatic VEPs exhibit significant differences (P<0.001). The speed and intensity of cognitive task of red are higher than those of green. The latency periods and the amplitudes of P1 and N1 peaks from different cerebral cortex regions also display remarkable differences (P<0.001). The intensity of reaction in the temporal and occipital regions is stronger than that in other regions, and the latency periods in frontal area and central area are shorter than those in temporal and occipital regions.
Adult ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiology ; Color ; Color Perception ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and the results of losartan intervention on platelet-aggregation in spontaneous hypertensive rats. METHODS: Spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly assigned into 3 groups: SHR control group, L-arginine treatment group (L-arg) and losartan (los) treatment group, each group consisting of 16 rats. Another 16 Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) served as normal control group. The L-arginine and losartan treatment groups received 1.0 g/kg L-arginine or 30 mg/kg losartan in 10 mL/kg distilled water daily through gastric tube for 2 weeks respectively, while the SHR and WKY groups received distilled water alone. All the rats took tap water and standard feed freely during the experimental period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored by the tail-cuff method. At the end of the 2-week intervention, all the rats were sacrificed and the blood samples were collected from the carotid artery. The platelet-aggregation-rate, NO levels, eNOS activity, and ADMA levels both in the plasma and the platelets were measured. We got other platelet samples from the SD rats and incubated the platelets with blood vascular endothelium from the above 4 groups of experimental rats and the platelet-aggregation-rate was monitored as well. RESULTS: (1) Systolic blood pressure of the SHR was significantly higher, compared with that of the WKY (P<0.01), which were significantly reduced both in the L-arginine and losartan groups (P<0.01). (2) Platelet-aggregation-rate of the SHR was significantly higher, compared with that of WKY (P<0.01), which was significantly reduced both in the L-arginine and losartan groups (P<0.01). (3) NO levels both in the plasma and the platelets of the SHR were lower, compared with those of the WKY (P<0.05); and were elevated significantly both in the L-arginine and losartan groups,compared with those of the SHR (P<0.05); (4) Both the plasma and the platelet eNOS activities of SHR followed the same pattern of the NO levels in these groups (P<0.01). (5) In contrast, the plasma and platelet ADMA levels showed a reverse pattern (P<0.05). (6) Platelets from the SD rats incubated with vascular endothelium of WKY exhibited lower platelet-aggregation-rate,compared with the platelets incubated with SHR vascular endothelium (P<0.05); Platelet-aggregation-rate of the SHR group increased, compared with that of the WKY group (P<0.05); Platelet-aggregation-rate both of L-arginine and losartan groups reduced, compared with that of the SHR group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION High levels of ADMA both in the plasma and in the platelets of SHR are associated with the decline of eNOS activity and NO levels, which might be an important reason for the increased platelet-aggregation-rate. Intervention with Losartan can reduce the platelet-aggregation-rate simultaneously with its known anti-hypertensive effect. The possible mechanism might be that losartan can enhance the eNOS activity and elevate NO levels through the suppression of ADMA.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY

The method of event-related potentials (ERP) was used to study the gender difference in face recognition. The stimuli in the experiment were 10 upright and 10 inverted face photos. The subjects, half female and half male, were asked to judge whether the face was upright or inverted. The results showed that the N170 wave forms were observed in the occipito-temporal regions and they were found exhibiting brain's right hemispheric dominance. The stimuli of different gender photos were noticed to have no significant impact on the N170 wave forms, but there were significant differentce in the amplitude and latency period of N170 between different gender participants. Moreover, there was marked difference in the latency period of the male participants watching the same gender face and different gender face. Similar results were not found in the ERP's latency period of female participants.
Adult ; Brain ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials ; Face ; Facial Expression ; Female ; Form Perception ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Pattern Recognition, Visual ; physiology ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the consistence in the detection of antibodies against HIV-1 between a new rapid test using oral mucosal transudate (OMT) samples and ELISA using serum samples. Methods Two-hundred patients who were positive for anti-HIV-1 antibodies by serum ELISA and confirmed by Western blot to be infected with HIV, and 600 healthy human controls negative for anti-HIV-1 antibodies by serum ELISA, were eligible for this study. OMT samples were collected from these subjects and subjected to a rapid test for anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The factors influencing the performance of the rapid test were analyzed. Results Of the 200 OMT specimens from HIV-infected patients, 198 showed positive reaction, 2 showed negative reaction. Among the 198 positive reactions, 192 (96%) were "clear" and easy to make decisions, 4 (2%) were "faint", 2(1%) were "very faint" and required professionals to make decisions. The rapid test was negative in all the 600 OMT specimens from the control group. Conclusions The consistence in the detection of anti-HIV-1 antibodies between the OMT rapid test and serum ELISA was 99% in HIV-positive specimens, 100% in HIV-negative specimens, and 99.75% in all the specimens.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect and safety of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in 50 patients. METHODS: Fifty patients were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. To perform the operation, transthoracic echocardiography and X ray were used continuously to monitor the procedure. Transthoracic echocardiography and ECG were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation to evaluate the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: The VSD diameter ranged from 1.8 to 13.4 (5.54 +/- 2. 75) mm. The successful rate of the operation was 96.0%, and the complication rate of the operation was 16.7%. A 3 month follow-up was completed in 20 patients, and the median left ventricle end-diastolic dimension significantly decreased from (40.20 +/- 8.80) mm to (32.90 +/- 8.36) mm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects is a good method with a high success rate of placement, fewer complications, and a good occlusion effect.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Treatment Outcome