A comparative study on the glycolic acid oxidase (GO) of the domestic Spirulina(Arthrospira) platensis (S_(1)) from alkaline lake in Erdos Plateau and the imported S. (A.) platensis (S_(2)) and S. (A.) maxima (S_(3)) as well is made with colorimetric method. The results show that activity of GO (25℃, pH 8.0) of S_(1), S_(2 )and S_(3) is 70.9 U/gFW, 59.6 U/gFW and 80.9 U/gFW respectively; the GO's optimum temperature of S_(1)、S_(2) and S_(3 )is 30℃; the GO's optimum pH value of S_(1 )is 8.6,while that of S_(2 ) 8.2 and that of S_(3) 8.4; the GO of S_(1 )is stable from 0℃ to 35℃ and from pH 7.6 to pH 10.0, while that of S_(2) from 0℃ to 30℃ and from pH 8.0 to pH 9.0 and that of S_(3) from 0℃ to 35℃ and from pH 8.0 to pH 8.6. Adaptive range of S_(1) GO for temperature and pH is wider, and activity at low and high temperature and under strong acidand alkali conditions is higher than that of the imported species.

Objective To study the expression level and clinical significance of bcl-XL gene in childhood medulloblastoma.Methods The expression of Bcl-XL protein and bcl-XL mRNA were determined by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization in 41 samples of medulloblastoma tissues,as well as 20 normal brain tissues.Results The positive rate of Bcl-XL protein(90.2%) and bclXL mRNA(95.1%) in medulloblastoma group were significantly higher than those in normal human brain tissues(all P

OBJECTIVETo review the research progress on Type IV secretion system (T4SS) in Helicobacter pylori.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were identified by searching of PUBMED (1995 - 2007) online resources using the key terms 'Type IV secretion system' and 'Helicobacter pylori'.

STUDY SELECTIONMainly original articles and critical reviews written by major pioneer investigators of this field were selected.

RESULTSThe research progress on T4SS in Helicobacter pylori was summarized. The structure and function was discussed.

CONCLUSIONST4SS is not only involved in toxin secretion and injection of virulence factors into eukaryotic host target cells, but also involved in horizontal DNA transfer to other bacteria and eukaryotic cells, through DNA uptake from or release into the extracellular milieu. It provides a new insight into the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori and a novel target for antimicrobials development. However, many challenges remain for us in understanding the biological role of T4SS in Helicobacter pylori.

Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Helicobacter pylori ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity ; Multigene Family

Objective By comparing with the SD rats mixed glial cells, C57 mice mixed glial cells and Kunming mice mixed glial cells and exploring the expression of inflammatory factor of three mixed glial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the study aimed to explore the application value of three kinds of mice and find the ideal model of inflammation. Methods We used LPS as inducers, and NO, IL － 1β, COX－2and iNOS as anti－inflammatory antioxidant index. After cutting the head and taking the brain, we cultured the mixed glials. Then we used Greiss assay to detect the expression of NO and used western blot to detect the expression of protein of IL－1β, COX－2, and iNOS protein.Finally we compared the mixed glial cells from SD rats, C57 mice mixed glial cells and Kunming mouse mixed glial cells and selected the best inflammation model from three mixed glial cells. Results The results showed that the morphological changes of the mixed glial cells in SD rats were treated with N2－ free medium. Compared with the control group, the quantity of NO of LPS group of three mixed glial cells increased significantly (P＜0.01) . The LPS group of SD rats released the highest concentration of NO. Western blot was used to detect the expression of IL－1β, Cox－2 and iNOS in three kinds of rodents. Compared with the blank control group, the expression of COX－2 protein, iNOS and IL－1β in the LPS group of the three mice increased significantly. The results showed that LPS could successfully stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines in three kinds of mice,among which the SD rats were more sensitive and it could be used in the study of AD inflammation model. Conclusion The results showed that LPS could induce the release of NO and the expression of IL－1β, iNOS and COX－2 in C57BL/6 mice,Kunming mice and SD rats to induce inflammatory response. Thus,LPS can induce the formation of inflammatory oxidation models of the original mixed glial cells of the three mice. Moreover, the SD rats were more sensitive.

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against viral infection.Hepatitis E virus(HEV)infection usually cau-ses acute self-limiting diseases in immunocompetent patients,but results in chronic infection in immunocompromised patients or pregnant people.After HEV infects host cells,pattern recognition receptors(PRRs)recognize the viral genome,thus indu-cing rapid activation of multiple antiviral signal pathways in the host immune system,and the expression of interferons(IFNs)and interferon stimulated genes(ISGs),and consequently inhibiting viral replication.To escape host antiviral responses,HEV encoded proteins regulate host antiviral signal pathways and subsequently inhibit antiviral responses,such as those involving cytokines or chemokines.The regulation of host signal pathways by HEV infection and the escape of HEV from host innate im-munity are reviewed herein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the complexity of mRNA in the ejaculated sperm from healthy fertile men.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 10 healthy fathers. The swim-up method was adopted to purify the sperm from possible contamination of somatic cells and the spermatozoal total RNA extracted by Trizol was used for SAGE library analysis.

RESULTSA totle of 21 052 SAGE raw tags were sequenced from 877 clones and 2 712 unique tags that occurred at least twice in the library were given further analysis. 19.7% of the unique tags had no match in the existing SAGE map, representing novel genes. Molecular function analysis revealed 67% of unique tags related to protein binding or nucleic acid binding categories, 41% to catalytic activity, 13% to message transducer activity, and 10% to transporter, structural and transcription regulator activity, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere exists a complex repertoire of mRNAs in the ejaculated spermatozoa from fertile men.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

AIM:To evaluate the effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide(H2S)on the expression of NLRP3 in-flammasome in hepatocytes.METHODS:The hepatocytes L 02 and SMMC-7721 were used to establish the model of inflam-mation by stimulating with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)at different concentrations in vitro.The expression of NLRP3 inflam-masome in the hepatocytes was detected by Western blot and the cell viability was measured by MTT assay for determining appropriate concentration of LPS.The hepatocytes were divided into 4 groups:the cells in control group were incubated with normal medium for 18.5 h;the cells in LPS group were incubated with normal medium for 0.5 h followed by 100 μg/L LPS for 18 h;the cells in LPS+H2 S group and H 2 S group were incubated with 200μmol/L sodium hydrosulfide hydrate(NaHS)for 0.5 h followed by 100 μg/L LPS or normal medium for 18 h,respectively.The protein expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the cells of every group was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group ,the protein expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 increased significantly in LPS group(P<0.05)and had no significant change in H2S group.Compared with LPS group,the protein expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in LPS+H2S group decreased significantly(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In hepatocytes,exogenous H2S suppresses the expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some.

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathologic features, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic features of 40 autopsy cases of diabetes mellitus were studied. The hearts from another 40 cases of non-diabetic elderly deceased were used for comparison.

RESULTSIn the 40 cases of diabetes studied, 36 cases (90.0%) showed microscopic myocardial cell death. Focal interstitial fibrosis was observed in 37 cases (92.5%). On the other hand, similar myocardial cell death and patchy interstitial fibrosis was seen in 8 cases (20.0%) and 9 cases (22.5%) of non-diabetic hearts, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The mural thickness of intramyocardial blood vessels was significantly increased in diabetic group (20.6 microm +/- 4.2 microm) than in non-diabetic group (7.2 microm +/- 5.2 microm), P < 0.01.The myocardial changes in diabetic group however were similar to those in non-diabetic group with systemic hypertension.

CONCLUSIONSPathologic diagnosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy relies on detailed histologic examination of heart tissue and clinical correlation of a long history of diabetes mellitus. Exclusion of other possible etiologies is also essential. The myocardial cell death observed may be due to the ischemic effect induced by diabetic microangiopathy in cardiac muscle.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autopsy ; Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; diagnosis ; Cell Death ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; pathology ; Diabetes Complications ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardium ; cytology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of inhibition of stress (lytic cocktail) on lung injury in severe burn rats at early stage.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness burn were randomly divided into A group (n = 36, fluid resuscitation with administration of lytic cocktail), B group (n = 36, fluid resuscitation only). Lung function was evaluated by partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood and histopathologic changes on 3, 5, 7, 10 post burn day (PBD). The levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in lung tissue were measured at the same time points.

RESULTSThe PaO2 level in A group on 3 PBD (12.58 +/- 0.41 kPa) was significantly higher than that in B group (8.86 +/- 0.23 kPa, P < 0.01). Compared with those in B group, the levels of MDA and MPO were significantly decreased in A group at each time point (P < 0.05 or 0.01), the levels of TNF-alpha on 3, 5, 7 PBD (P < 0.05 or 0.01) and IFN-gamma on 5, 7, 14 PBD (P < 0.01) were also decreased in A group. Swollen lung mesenchyme was alleviated, infiltration of inflammatory cell was lessened in A group.

CONCLUSIONLytic cocktail combined with immediate fluid resuscitation can inhibit stess response, downregulate the expression of inflammatory factor, ameliorate lung function in severe burn rat at early stage.

Animals ; Burns ; complications ; therapy ; Fluid Therapy ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Meperidine ; therapeutic use ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of inhibition of stress on the survival rate, organ dysfunction and (Th)1/Th2 cytokine profiles of the rats with invasive infection in the wound at early postburn stage.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats inflicted with 30% TBSA full thickness burn were randomly divided into A (n = 36, with immediate resuscitation), B (n = 36, with immediate resuscitation and lytic cocktail administration). After subeschar injection of 0.1 ml Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10(8) CFU/ml) on 3rd postburn day, the subeschar bacterial quantitative analysis, the survival rate at 96 hours after bacteria injection, the parameters of organ dysfunction and the mRNA expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were determined by corresponding methods.

RESULTSThe quantity of subeschar bacteria was larger than 1 x 10(5)/gram in both groups. The survival rate in B group (66.7 +/- 2.6)% was obviously higher than that in A group (33.3 +/- 1.7)%, (P < 0.01). Inflammatory infiltration and pathological changes in the internal organs in B group were alleviated obviously compared with A group. The expression of IL-2 mRNA in B group was significantly lower than that in A group before bacterial inoculation, but increased at 48 and 96 hours after bacterial inoculation, while it was lowered in A group at the same time points (P < 0.05). The expression of IFN-gamma mRNA in A group was significantly lower than that in B group (P < 0.01), while that of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA in A group was evidently higher than that in B group (P < 0.05 approximately 0.01).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of the stress response during early postburn stage could be beneficial to the prevention of the bacterial invasion due to the changes in Th1/Th2 ratio.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Pseudomonas Infections ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism ; Wound Infection ; therapy