Cucumber mosaic virus was detected from infected Basella rubra L. with the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total RNA was extracted from infected leaves and the cDNAs of coat protein gene of CMV-Ba were obtained by RT-PCR. The amplified cDNA fragments were then cloned into pMD 18-T vector and sequenced,the result showed that the CP gene was 657 nucleotides in length. This sequence was aligned with the obtained CP gene and some CMV strains or isolates of subgroup Ⅰ and subgroup Ⅱ in GenBank using DNA MAN software. The results showed that CMV-Ba shared 90.9%~93.8% and 76.1%~76.9% identity with the known CP genes of subgroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively in nucleotide level,on the other hand,amino acids deduced from CMV-Ba CP gene shared 92.7%~97.7% and 72.4%~78.1% identity with the known CP protein of subgroup Ⅰ and Ⅱ,respectively. This suggested that CMV-Ba CP gene belongs to CMV subgroupⅠ.

Based on chaos theory,chaological connotations of pulse tracings and sphygmology were expounded and explained.Main contents included embodiments of four characteristics(inner randomness,sensitivity to initial value,chaos order and unpredictability of long-term behavior)of chaos in pulse tracings and sphygmology.

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulation of transdermal absorption of Secretio Bufonis (SB) and the effect of low frequency complex impulse current (LFCIC) on it.

METHODSBy modifying three-chamber flow diffusion pool to develop a prototype LFCIC device for transdermal delivery, using high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) to determine the quantitative transdermal absorption of the amount of ingredients of SB, including bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin, etc. and the transdermal absorption velocity was calculated.

RESULTSThe chief ingredients of SB could be absorbed through skin, but the volume was low. Additional application of LFCIC could enhance the cumulative infiltration volume and velocity of transdermal diffusion. Difference appeared 2 hrs after and significant difference appeared 4 hrs after the application, and 13.8 Hz showed the optimal effect of transdermal delivery.

CONCLUSIONChief ingredients of SB could be absorbed through transdermal medication, and LFCIC can evidently enhance the amount and velocity of transdermal absorption of SB.

Animals ; Bufanolides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Bufonidae ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Electric Stimulation ; Iontophoresis ; Male ; Materia Medica ; Rabbits ; Skin Absorption

Background and objectives Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing has been reported impairing left ventricular (LV)performance. Alternative pacing sites in right ventricle (RV) has been explored to obtain better cardiac function. Our study was designed to compare the hemodynamic effects of right ventricular septal (RVS) pacing with RVA pacing. Methods Ten elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and long RR interval or slow ventricular response (VR) received VVI pacing. The hemodynamic difference between RVS and RVA pacing were examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Results Pacing leads were implanted successfully at the RVA and then RVS in all patients without complication. The left ventricular (LV) parameters,measured during RVA pacing including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), FS, stroke volume (SV) and peak E wave velocity (EV) were decreased significantly compared to baseline data, while during RVS pacing, they were significantly better than those during RVA pacing. However, after 3-6 weeks there was no statistical significant difference between pre- and post- RVS pacing.Conclusions The LV hemodynamic parameters during RVA pacing were significantly worse than baseline data. The short term LV hemodynamic parameters of RVS pacing were significantly better than those of RVA pacing; RVS pacing could improve the hemodynamic effect through maintaining normal ventricular activation sequence and biventricular contraction synchrony in patients with chronic AF and slow ventricular response.

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is the pathogen of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD); it seriously disserves the banana production. This paper reviewed the separation and purification methods, classifying and taxonomy status of BBTV; the genome structure and function of each encode protein of the virus; and the present problems that should be further clarified.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of partial pressure of oxygen in brain tissue (P(bt)O(2)) and brain temperature (BT) in patient s in acute phase of severe head injury, and to study the effect of mild hypothermia on P(bt)O(2) and BT.

METHODSThe P(bt)O(2) and the BT of 18 patients with severe head injury were monitored, and the patients were treated with mild hypothermia within 20 hours after injury. The rectal temperature (RT) of the patients was kept on 31.5-34.9 degrees C for 1-7 days (57.7 hours+/-28.4 hours averagely), simultaneously, the indexes of P(bt)O(2) and BT were monitored for 1-5 days (with an average of 54.8 hours+/-27.0 hours). According to Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), the prognosis of the patients was evaluated at 6 months after injury.

RESULTSWithin 24 hours after severe head injury, the P(bt)O(2) was significantly lower (9.6 mm Hg+/-6.8 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) than the normal value (16-40 mm Hg). After treatment of mild hypothermia, the mean P(bt)O(2) increased to 28.7 mm Hg+/-8.8 mm Hg during the first 24 hours, and the P(bt)O(2) was still maintained within the range of normal value at 3 days after injury. The BT was higher than the RT in the patients in acute phase of severe head injury, and the difference between the BT and the RT significantly increased after treatment of mild hypothermia. Hyperventilation (the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery (P(a)CO(2)) approximately 25 mm Hg) decreased the high intracranial pressure (ICP) and significantly decreased the P(bt)O(2).

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrates that P(pt)O(2) and BT monitoring is a safe, reliable and sensitive diagnostic method to follow cerebral oxygenation. It might become an important tool in our treatment regime for patients in the acute phase of severe head injury requiring hypothermia and hyperventilation.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous ; Body Temperature ; Brain ; metabolism ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; metabolism ; therapy ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe targeted expression of recombinant lentivirus-mediated (Lv)-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin in HepG2 cells, and explore the inhibitory effect of their combination on HepG2 cells both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSLv-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTptumstatin were used to infect HepG2 and L02 cells at different MOIs. Transfection efficiency was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Expression of TK and tumstatin mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase PCR. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. The HepG2 cells were examined by real time-PCR and western blotting to determine expression level of bcl-2 and VEGF mRNA and protein.A murine hepatocellular carcinoma model was established by injecting 1 * 10(7) HepG2 cells into 30 BALB/c nude mice. The modeled mice were randomly divided into a control group, mock group, Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin group, Lv-hTERTp-TK group, and combination group for four weeks of injections at regular intervals of PBS, Lv-hTERTp-null, Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin, Lv-hTERTp-TK, and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin plus Lv-hTERTp-TK, respectively.Changes in tumor volume and weight, and cell morphology of tumor and major organs, were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Microvascular density of tumor tissue and cell apoptosis were assessed by immunohistochemical and TUNEL staining, respectively.

RESULTSThe Lv-infected HepG2 cells, and not the Lv-infected L02 cells, expressed TK and tumstatin. Lv-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin, alone or in combination, inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis of the HepG2 cells, but the combination was more effective than either alone (P less than 0.05). None of the treatments affected proliferation or apoptosis of the L02 cells (P more than 0.05). The combination also led to a greater reduction of bcl-2 and VEGF than either alone (all, P less than 0.05). Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by the combination (P less than 0.05). In vivo, the combination treatment induced the greatest amount of apoptosis of the HepG2 cells. Cell morphology of major organs such as liver, spleen and kidney were similar to the control group. The combination also produced the most significant effect on tumor microvascular density (P less than 0.05) and the highest apoptosis index (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe HTERT promoter can induce targeted expression of TK and tumstatin in HepG2 cells. Lv-hTERTp-TK combined with Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo, which may be related to down-regulation ofbcl-2 and VEGF.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoantigens ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collagen Type IV ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer have been increasing rapidly in recent China. There were few studies investigating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values ranges in the healthy Chinese population. We performed this study to determine the distribution of serum PSA in a large healthy Chinese population.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to May 2008, 11 150 healthy Chinese men aged 30 - 79 years came to our hospital for routine health check-up. All subjects without a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer, a history of prostate surgery, or urogenital tract infection were proposed to undergo systematic serum PSA measurement and digital rectal examination (DRE). Men with normal DRE and PSA ≤ 4.0 ng/ml and those PSA > 4.0 ng/ml or abnormal DRE but without adverse findings on prostate biopsy were included (n = 9358). Age and serum PSA concentration were recorded and correlated through Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe 95th percentile serum PSA concentration was 1.89 ng/ml for men aged 30 to 39 years, 2.19 ng/ml for men aged 40 to 49 years, 2.88 ng/ml for men aged 50 to 59 years, 4.42 ng/ml for men aged 60 to 69 years, and 6.52 ng/ml for men aged 70 to 79 years. The serum PSA concentration correlated with age (P < 0.0001) with an annual increase of 0.97% for men in 40 years, 1.58% for men in 50 years, 3.04% for men in 60 years, and 3.99% for men in 70 years.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum PSA level correlates directly with age in Chinese men older than 40 years, not in Chinese men younger than 40 years old. Chinese men have lower PSA level compared with white men above 60 years of age, not in those under 60 years of age.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of Houxue Zhitong decoration on the expression of the mitochondria-initiated apoptosis pathway and transmembrane protein I an II of the epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits (weight: 2.5-3.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups, sham operation group (D, n=15), control group (B, n=14), sodium hyaluronate group (C, n=15), Houxue Zhitong decoration group (D, n=15). Except for group A, 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater uncovered area laminectomy was performed at I (4) and I(5), covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. First 2 weeks after operation, animals in group D were lavaged with 2.5 ml/kg Houxue Zhitong decoction by one a day for 14 days. Five rabbits of each group selected randomly were killed in the 2,4,8 weeks after laminectomy. The specimens were prepared for determination of the expression of Fas and FasL, at scar tissue by semiquantitative reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The degree of scar adhesion was evaluated according by Rydell method.

RESULTSThe adhesion area in group B was larger than of group C and D in the 4th and 8th week. However, the number of fibroblasts and inflammantory cells in group D was the least among the three groups in the 8th week. At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, as compared with group B the expression of Fas, FasL of group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05). Especially, at 2 weeks, as compared with group B the expression of this two cytokines of group D was significant decreased (P < 0.05), too. In group C and D the duramater adhesion was decreased (P < 0.05). The proliferation of fibroblast and fibroblastic function were inhibited (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxue Zhitong is able to down-regulated the expression of Fas, FasL, which inhibited the proliferation of fibroblast, the fibroblastic function and the synthesis of extracellular matrix in the epidural scar tissue. It is an effective way of reducing peridural scar formation and prevent the failed back surgery syndrome.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cicatrix ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epidural Space ; pathology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Huoxuezhitong recipe on the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis and the expression of related gene (Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2) in epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits, ranging in weight from 2.5 to 3.0 kg, were randomly divided into sham operative group (group A), control group (group B), sodium hyaluronate group (group C), Huoxuezhitong recipe group (group D, included Danggui 20 g, Chishao 20 g, Honghua 20 g, Ruxiang 15 g, Myrrh 15 g etc.) with 15 rabbits in each group. Except for group A, L4,5 vertebral plate were resected leading to 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater exposed area, which were covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. At 2 weeks after operation, the rabbits of group D were administered with Huoxuezhitong recipe (2.5 ml/kg, once a day, continuous 14 d). Five rabbits of each group were selected randomly and were killed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation; and the expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in scar tissue were surveyed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe results by RT-PCR showed significant different in expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 of group A and others groups at each period (P < 0.01). At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, compared with group B, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bcl-2 in group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05), but the expression of Bax in group C and D were increased (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks after operation, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in group D was significant decreased compared with group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxuezhitong recipe can regulate the levels of expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 mRNA and further induce the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis, thereby, achieve the effect of prophylaxis for the proliferation and conglutination of epidural scar tissue.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Genes, bcl-2 ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism