To improve the efficiency of halophilic actinobacteria screening and carry out the rapid selection of targeted strains, we tested 34 strains of Streptomonospora by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) based on genus-specific primers for the PCR identification. This approach employs PCR with two pairs of primers located in the 16S rRNA sequence flanking two variable region, then build clustering tree according as SSCP data. Synchronously, we sequenced all the 16S rRNA partial sequences for these strains to verify them. The results showed that the PCR-SSCP analysis was an efficient, easy-to-handle and economic method for rapid selection of halophilic actinobacteria resources.

OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of cellular immunity in drug abusers with pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODSSixty drug abusers with pulmonary tuberculosis and 60 non-drug abusers with pulmonary tuberculosis (control) were enrolled in this study. Three days after establishment of a definite diagnosis, peripheral blood was taken from the patients for lymphocyte subgroup (CD3(+), CD3(+)/CD4(+), CD3(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocyte subgroups and NK cells) examination by flow cytometry, and the CD4(+)/CD8+(+) ratio was calculated. The difference of cellular immunity between the drug abusers and control group was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSCD3(+) and CD3(+)/CD4(+) T lymphocytes subgroups and NK cells of the drug abusers were significantly lower than those of the control patients (P=0.037, 0.028 and 0.015), and the former patients had also significantly lower CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (P=0.021). The pulmonary tuberculosis types and CD3(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocyte subgroup were not significant different between the two groups (P=0.053 and 0.85).

CONCLUSIONDrug abuse might depress cellular immunity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, which further complicate the treatment of this disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD4 Antigens ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Substance-Related Disorders ; complications ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; immunology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Young Adult

We used metabolomics to investigate the ability of a traditional Mongolian medicine called modified Tabusen-2 (MT-2) to improve kidney yang deficiency (KYD) in rats. All animal experiments were conducted under the guidance and standards of the Medical Ethics Committee of Inner Mongolia Medical University. SD rats were divided into 6 groups of six rats: a normal group, a model group, Jinkuishenqi pill administration group (1.26 g·kg^-1), and MT-2 administration in high-, medium- and low-dose groups (1.512, 0.756, and 0.378 g·kg^-1). KYD was established by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone (HC) and biochemical indicators and clinical characterization was used to confirm that KYD was established. All groups received intragastrically administered drug (Jinkuishenqi pill or MT-2) or saline. Serum from each group was collected after 8 weeks and analyzed by UPLC-Q-exactive-MS to measure various biochemical indicators. The biomarkers affected by MT-2 were identified and the metabolic pathways of KYD regulated by MT-2 were analyzed by metabolomic analysis. The results show that MT-2 can decrease serum creatinine (Cr) in KYD rats and significantly increase (P<0.05) the content of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In serum samples, 38 biomarkers such as corticosterone, L-phenylalanine, and DL-tryptophan were measured as possible indicators for disease development in KYD rats. MT-2 lowered 18 biomarkers of KYD, including corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and L-phenylalanine, and altered 13 related metabolic pathways including phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis, resulting in an overall improvement in KYD. MT-2 appears to be important in improving KYD in rats mainly by regulating metabolites such as amino acids, steroids and lipids.

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by low penetrance, early-onset disease, more invasive tumor growth, as well as somatotroph and lactotroph adenomas in most cases. It has been indicated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene is a tumor suppressor gene. Many heterozygous mutations have been discovered in AIP in about 20% of FIPA families. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which its disfunction promotes tumorigenesis of pituitary is unclear.
Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; genetics

BACKGROUNDHypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) is a severe disease with high morbidity and mortality. Timely removal of the hematoma through surgical procedures may effectively reduce secondary injuries. However, there has long been a debate over the proper timing of such surgery. In this study, we explored the optimal operation time for HICH patients by observing the pathological changes in perihematomal brain regions during different stages of onset.

METHODSTwenty-five specimens of brain tissue, obtained from perihematomal region of HICH patients in different phases, were subjected to haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and Caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) immunohistochemical staining. The changing roles of necrosis and apoptosis and the expression of MMP-9 and Caspase-3 positive cells were all observed using image analysis.

RESULTSThe obvious expression of TUNEL positive cells was recognized within 6 hours of ICH onset, reaching its peak between 6 hours and 24 hours in the early phase.

RESULTSwere highly consistent with Caspase-3 and MMP-9 positive cell counts. Necrosis was found 6 hours after ICH onset and aggravated after 12 hours.

CONCLUSIONSIn the early phase, apoptosis was seen as a major modality of injury in the brain tissue of the perihematomal region and was strongly correlated with the expression of MMP-9 and Caspase-3. The results of the present study suggest that an operation performed as soon as possible after ICH onset may be optimal for preserving the nervous system function.

Aged ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors

Objective To develop a pharmacy device for drug counting and dispensing.Methods The device was composed of four parts of dispensing tank, hook, support frame and separator, which was made of bamboo and metal. The multi application of the separators contributed to fulfilling the functions of the device.Results The device gained advantages over the traditional mode in time,accuracy,drug loss and the staff's efficiency.Conclusion The device is easy to manufacture and operate and behaves well in feasibility, practicability and innovation, and thus is worthy promoting practically. [Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2018,39(5):47-49]

Objective To explore the effect of oatβ-glucan on gene expression in small intestine injury in sepsis. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group ( NC group) , experimental control group ( TC group) and oat β-glucan group ( Oglu group) . TC group and Oglu group were used to establish sepsis model with CLP method ,and oglu group with different doses of oatβ-glucan. After 12 h the small intestine tissue were collected. Western blot was used to detect gene expression in the small intestine tissue injury. Results 1 ) Oat β-glucan reduced sepsis-induced small intestine injury,and reduced the TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 levels in small intestine of septic rats. (2) The expression of small intestinal injury-related proteins such as Bax, caspase-3, Toll-like, apoptotic genes FAS and FASL and NF-κB were significantly increased,and Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated in the TC group. (3) The expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Toll-like, apoptotic genes FAS and FASL and NF-κB in oat β-glucan-treated rats were lower than that in the septic rats, while Bcl-2 expression was higher than the TC group. Conclusions Oat β-glucan regulates the expression of small intestinal injury genes in septic rats and protects the small intestinal epithelium against sepsis-induced injury.

Objective To investigate the dynamics and development trends of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis after water improvement in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city, Inner Mongolia and to provide a scientific evidence for the development of countermeasures. Methods We mainly selected Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city as the two monitoring points after water improvement in 2000 -2009. Of these, 1 sample of centralized water supply source water and 3 samples of tap water and 5 samples of noncentralized water supply source water according to water well locations of east, west, south, north and center were collected and the levels of water fluoride were tested; the prevalence of dental fluorosis of school children aged 8 to 12 were examined; from 2002 onwards, the urine samples of 30 children aged 8 to 12(five age groups, six urine samples for each age group) were collected, and all urine samples were collected in the case of less than 30, and urine fluoride was tested. Dental fluorosis was diagnosed using Dean method; water fluoride was tested using fluoride ion selective electrode(WS/T 106-1999); urinary fluoride was tested by determination of fluoride in urine using ion-selective electrode(WS/T 89-1996). Results In 2000 - 2009, the mean levels of fluorine in drinking water in Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu were 1.79 - 4.35 mg/L and 1.38 - 3.18 mg/L, respectively; the detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were 45.24％(19/42) - 89.78％(123/137) and 40.00％ (28/70) - 74.47％ (70/94), respectively; the median urinary fluoride of them were 2.30 - 4.15 mg/L and 2.73 - 4.55 mg/L, respectively. ConclusionsThe detection rate of children's dental fluorosis remains high in Xinbaerhuyouqi during the past 10 years after changing water. The endemic fluorosis remains a serious disease. Effective prevention and control measures must be taken to control the occurrence of fluorosis in the future.

OBJECTIVETo improve the chemically-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) bioassay for detection of dioxin-like chemicals (DLCs) based on the toxicity mechanisms of DLCs.

METHODSA recombinant vector was constructed and used to transfect human hepatoma (HepG2). The expression of this vector was 10-100 folds higher than that of pGL2 used in previous experiments. The transfected cells showed aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-meditated luciferase gene expression. The reliability of luciferase induction in this cell line as a reporter of AhR-mediated toxicity was evaluated, the optimal detection time was examined and a comparison was made by using the commonly used ethoxyresoufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity induction assay.

RESULTSThe results suggested that the luciferase activity in recombinant cells was peaked at about 4 h and then decreased to a stable activity by 14 h after TCDD treatment. The detection limit of this cell line was 0.11 pmol/L, or 10-fold lower than in previous studies, with a linear range from 1 to 100 pmol/L, related coefficient of 0.997, and the coefficient of variability (CV) of 15-30%.

CONCLUSIONThe luciferase induction is 30-fold more sensitive than EROD induction, the detection time is 68 h shorter and the detection procedure is also simpler.

Biological Assay ; methods ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; biosynthesis ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Induction ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Luciferases ; biosynthesis ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between polyoma virus load and hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic stem cells transplantation for prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis.

METHODSBlood and urine specimens were collected from 40 healthy persons, 40 patient with stem cells transplantation and 20 cases complicated with hemorrhagic cystitis for determination of VP1 gene of polyomaviruses BK virus (BKV)/Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) and simian virus 40 (SV40) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and EvaGreen stain fluorescence quantitative assay.

RESULTSIn the peripheral blood, all genes of BKV/JCV and SV40 were negative, while BKV gene in urine and blood from healthy persons and patient with stem cells transplantation was 15% (6/40) and 100% (40/40), respectively. The gene of JCV was positive in 10% (4/40) and 12% (5/40), the gene of SV40 was negative.

CONCLUSIONGenes of BKV and JCV was detectable in urine specimens of healthy persons and there was a correlation between the load of polyomavirus and incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis.

Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Cystitis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; urine ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polyomavirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polyomavirus Infections ; complications ; virology ; Viral Load