To summarize the present situation of research on amylolytic lactic acid bacteria and its amylase,and the fermentation technology of amylolytic lactic acid bacteria.The amylolytic lactic acid bacteria have the ability of secreting amylase,can direct ferment starchy material into lactic acid without hydrolysising processes,simplify the production process,and saving the equipment investment,thereby,decrease the cost of production.Amylolytic lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional fermented food,or from organic waste and kitchen waste.The mechanism of direct utilize starch raw materials by the amylolytic lactic acid bacteria were introduced,the fermentation technology of amylolytic lactic acid bacteria were compared.Meanwhile it was pointed out that through mutation breeding and genetic engineering methods gain the potent amylolytic lactic acid bacteria,and use the advanced fermentation and separation technology can improve the productivity of lactic acid.

Cirrhosis with portal hypertension is a common disease which has a significant impact on the quality of patients' life. Esophagogastric devascularization (EGDV) has been demonstrated to be an effective method to treat portal hypertension, however certain complications are associated with it. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical outcome of the selective EGDV (sEGDV) for the treatment of portal hypertension. The study was conducted prospectively from Jan. 1 2011 to Dec. 31, 2012, and 180 patients were randomized to the sEGDV group (n=90) or the non-sEGDV (n-sEGDV) group (n=90). Patients' demographics, preoperative lab test results and operative details were comparable between the two groups. Postoperative and short-term complications were analyzed in two groups. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.01) in the PVF reduction between the two groups. Post-operative complications showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of bleeding, ascites, acute portal vein thrombosis, fever and hepatic encephalopathy. Mortality between two groups was comparable. The incidence of splenic fossa effusion after the surgery was lower in sEGDV group than in n-sEGDV group. There were no significant differences in the short-term follow-up data such as esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (P>0.05). It is suggested that sEGDV is a safe, simple and effective surgical procedure. It has both the advantages of the shunt and devascularization because it preserves body's voluntary diversion. With the advantage of low incidence of postoperative complications, it is an ideal surgical approach for the treatment of portal hypertension.

4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase is a key enzyme of phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway in higher plant and may regulate the biosynthesis of ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis. In this study, the homology-based cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique were used to clone a full length cDNA encoding 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase gene (4CL), and then qRT-PCR was taken for analyzing 4CL gene expression levels in the root, stem and root tissue at different growth stages of seedlings of A. sinensis. The results showed that a full-length 4CL cDNA (1,815 bp) was obtained (GenBank accession number: KT880508) which shares an open reading frame (ORF) of 1 632 bp, encodes 544 amino acid polypeptides. We found 4CL gene was expressed in all tissues including leaf, stem and root of seedlings of A. sinensis. The expressions in the leave and stem were increased significantly with the growth of seedlings of A. sinensis (P < 0.05), while it in the root showed little change. It indicates a time-space pattern of 4CL gene expression in seedlings of A. sinensis. These findings will be useful for establishing an experiment basis for studying the structure and function of 4CL gene and elucidating mechanism of ferulic acid biosynthesis and space-time regulation in A. sinensis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Angelica sinensis ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Coenzyme A Ligases ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data

BACKGROUND: The association of genetic variation in the IRAK-1 gene with sepsis outcome has been proved. However, few studies have addressed the impact of the IRAK-4 gene variants on sepsis risk. This study aimed to determine whether the polymorphisms in the IRAK-4 gene are associated with susceptibility to and prognosis of severe sepsis in the Chinese Han ethnic population.METHODS: In this case-control study, 192 patients with severe sepsis hospitalized in the emergency department of Zhongshan Hospital from February 2006 to December 2009 and 192 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included metastatic tumors, autoimmune diseases, AIDS or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. This study was approved by the ethical committee of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Sepsis patients were divided into a survival group (n=124) and a non-survival group (n=68) according to the 30-day mortality. Primer 3 software was used to design PCR and sequencing primers. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Seven tagSNPs in IRAK-4 were selected according to the data of the Chinese Han population in Beijing from the Hapmap project and genotyped by direct sequencing. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups.RESULTS: The distributions of all tagSNPs were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The allele and genotype frequencies of rs4251545 (G/A) were significantly different between the severe sepsis and healthy control groups (P=0.015, P=0.035, respectively). Carriers of the rs4251545A had a higher risk for severe sepsis compared with carriers of the rs4251545G (OR=1.69, 95％ CI: 1.10-2.58). The allele and genotype frequencies of all SNPs were not significantly different between the survival group and non-survival group.CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the variants in IRAK-4 are significantly associated with susceptibility to severe sepsis in the Chinese Han ethnic population.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect platelet antigen modification by mPEG-SPA with different molecular masses.

METHODSPlatelet CD42a was modified by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity of CD42a was detect by flow cytometry and the three-dimensional structure of CD42a simulated to analyze the distribution of lysine in CD42a molecule.

RESULTSAfter platelet CD42a modification by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, the fluorescence intensity of CD42a decreased sharply by 85.54% and 88.65%, respectively, and multiple lysine regions were identified on the surface of CD42a molecule.

CONCLUSIONBoth 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA allow useful modification of platelet CD42a, but 20 kD mPEG-SPA is more advantageous than 5 kD mPEG-SPA.

Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Weight ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Succinimides ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method for reparation of cleft lip, and to evoke more colleagues for advance practices and study, in order to determine her indication and contraindication as soon as possible.

METHODS48 cases were included into this study. Trilobate flap were designed in floor of nose and lip area in cleft side, rotate two of the three flaps upwards, respectively to elevate the tip of nose, and to reconstruct the floor of nose. As for the left flap, it was derived transversally to opposing side, sutured with the flap of non-cleft-side.

RESULTSWith this technique, less tissue was lost, better vertical lengthening and good formed cuspids-bow was achieved, and the scar was a parallel line being symmetry to the philtrum column opposite. Meanwhile, because the tension was mainly located in the area where there was no mini flaps, the blood supply was good enough, rarely occur any necrosis in the tip of flaps. All cases in this study obtained perfect healing, with good appearance at nostrils and floor of nose.

CONCLUSIONSIn use of the method of trilobate flap, we can draw down the peak of the cuspids bow effectually, hence avoid the addition cut in the lower part of the lip, decrease the scar on skin, as well as nice reconstruction of floor of nose, philtrum column and nostril. Because lack of long term study, we evoke more colleagues for cooperation in advance study.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nose ; abnormalities ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

Heishui county, located in northwest Sichuan province, southwestern China, is an endemic area of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and is the most intractable area. VL is never destroyed in it. Asymptomatic dogs (Leishmania parasites have been diagnosed but clinically healthy) are considered to be a potential reservoir host in zoonotic VL area, and most can lead to infection of individuals, that is a new challenge for controlling VL in humans. The present study aimed to assess the Leishmania infection rate of asymptomatic dogs in Heishui county. Total 105 asymptomatic domestic dogs were gathered from 4 districts in Heishui county to investigate the infection rate with serological and molecular methods based on ELISA and kinetoplast minicircle DNA(kDNA) PCR, respectively. Out of 105 dogs, 44 (41.9%) were positive by more than 1 method; 21 (20.0%) were positive by ELISA, and 30 (28.6%) were positive by kDNA-PCR. Our study showed that Leishmania infection of domestic dogs which is clinically healthy is prevalent in the studied district, and the asymptomatic dogs infected by Leishmania may be the primary reason for the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in the area.
Animals ; China* ; Dogs* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Leishmania* ; Leishmaniasis, Visceral* ; Methods ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo assess the associations between schizophrenia and six functional genes: dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4), 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor gene (5-HT2A), 5-HT6 receptor gene (5-HT6), catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) and dopamine transporter gene (DAT1).

METHODSWith the techniques of Amp-RFLP and Amp-FLP, association analysis was made between schizophrenia and the six genes in 67 schizophrenic patients from Chinese Han population.

RESULTS(1) Neither genotypes nor alleles of DRD2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT6 and COMT gene showed significant differences between patients and controls (P>0.05). (2) Six repeats (6R) in DRD4 gene, the allele of 480 bp and the genotype of 480/520 in DAT1 gene were found to be of significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). (3) Only one negative association was observed between the 480 bp allele of DAT1 gene and schizophrenia (OR=0.441, 95% CI:0.202-0.963, Z=2.05, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 480 bp allele of DAT1 gene is negatively associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population, which stands for the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Adult ; Alleles ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; genetics ; Receptors, Dopamine D4 ; Receptors, Serotonin ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the specific cytotoxity of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) transfected with chimeric T cell receptor (CTCR) on cells which express KDR.

METHODSA recombinant retroviral plasmid (pMSCVneo-Vhgamma) was constructed by cloning VEGF121-hinger-FcRgamma (Vhgamma) into retroviral vector pMSCVneo. After packaging by PT67, the virus with high titer was used to infect TIL isolated from liver cancer tissues, and then MSCVneo-Vhgamma-TIL was generated. TIL infected with MSCVneo was used as a control. The cytotoxicty of the transgenic TIL on NIH3T3 and HepG2 expressing no KDR and on ECV304 and A375 expressing KDR was detected with MTT colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe sequences of VEGF121 and hinger-FcRgamma were different from those reported, but the deduced amino sequences were identical to the reported ones. The cytotoxity of TIL infected with MSCVneo on target cell was similar to that of the control TIL; both only had mild cytotoxity on cancer cell line. No significant cytotoxity was found in TIL infected with MSCVneo-cTCR on NIH3T3, but its cytotoxity on ECV304 was significant. The cytotoxity on HepG2 was similar to that of MSCVneo-TIL and uninfected TIL, but cytotoxity on A375 was significantly higher.

CONCLUSIONChimeric T cell receptor permanently grafts TIL cell with predefined new specificity. TIL expressing Vhgamma can selectively recognize and kill vascular endothelial cell and tumor cells which express VEGF receptor KDR.

Animals ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Humans ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; immunology ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; physiology ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible relationship between Runx2 and the low bone mass of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS) patients at the osteoblast level.

METHODSTwenty eight AIS patients (mean age 14.9 years, mean Cobb angle 57.3 degrees ) in experimental group, including 2 male and 26 female, underwent posterior instrumentation between March and December 2008. They were divided into two groups. Patients in group A maintained normal bone mineral density (BMD). Patients in group B sustained osteopenia. Normal group, including 8 patients (2 males and 6 females) with a mean age of 15.3 years, were age-matched non-scoliosis adolescents who underwent spinal surgery. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in three groups. Small cancellous bone samples were harvested from the iliac crest during the operation. The chipped explants were cultured to obtained the osteoblasts. P2 generation osteoblasts were analyzed to confirm the cell phenotype. Expression of mRNA and protein of Runx2 were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blot in P2 generation osteoblasts from three groups.

RESULTSThe expression of Runx2 of osteoblasts had decreased obviously in group B compared with group A and group C (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe abnormal expression of Runx2 of osteoblasts may be responsible for the low bone mass in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging