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 investigate the ways testosterone influences the murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and how testosterone affects the function of BMMs after bound to their membrane surface.

METHODSBMMs were cultured in vitro, their total RNA and proteins isolated, and the expression of intracellular androgen receptor (AR) detected through RT-PCR and Western blotting. The binding site of testosterone (T) to the membrane surface of BMMs was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy after T-BSA-FITC incubation. Moreover, the intracellular Ca2+ was tested by Fura-2 method, and the influence of ionic currents on BMMs plasma membrane induced by testosterone was examined by the whole cell patch-clamp.

RESULTSRT-PCR and Western blotting failed to detect intracellular ARs in BMMs, but confocal laser scanning microscopy showed testosterone to be bound to the membrane surface of BMMs by impermeable T-BSA-FITC, inducing a rapid rise in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of Fura-2 loaded BMMs, predominantly due to the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through Ni2+ -blockable Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. Similarly, the patch-clamp technique revealed T-induced calcium influx in BMMs.

CONCLUSIONIt is reasonable to assume that the testosterone receptor exists on the plasma membranes, and testosterone act through unconventional plasma membrane receptors, induce Ca2+ influx and a rapid rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and influence the function of BMMs.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; physiology ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Membrane Potentials ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testosterone ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo provide methods and alert thresholds which are scientific, sensitive, specific and practical for Early Warning System in Public Health Surveillance.

METHODSAlert data was based on historical infectious diseases reports. Control chart was used to detect outbreaks or epidemics. An epidemic was defined by consulting Specialists. After calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and describing receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), the optimal model and thresholds were chosen.

RESULTSAt 80 percentile, the sensitivities and the specificities of epidemic haemorragia fever, hepatitis A, dysentery, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis and malaria were over 90%, and there was a high efficacy of early warning. At 90 percentile, the sensitivities and the specificities of tuberculosis and measles were over 85%, and there was a high efficacy of early warning also.

CONCLUSIONControl chart based on five years was chose as a essential method in early warning system. The alert threshold for epidemic haemorragia fever, hepatitis A, dysentery, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis and malaria was 80 percentile. The alert threshold for tuberculosis and measles was 90 percentile.

China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases ; epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Disease Notification ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; epidemiology ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Female ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Meningitis, Meningococcal ; epidemiology ; Population Surveillance

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical and radiologic effect in treating degenerative lumbar instability with single or double carbon fiber cages.

METHODSFrom November 2005 to October 2006, 97 patients of degenerative lumbar instability were followed up more than two years. All cases underwent pedicle screw fixation. Meanwhile, 41 of them, named group A, were applied with single carbon fiber cage, with 23 males and 18 females, aged for 35-70 years, including 38 cases with single vertebral instability and 3 cases with existing L4.5 and L5S1 intervertebral instability. The other 56 cases, named group B, were treated with two carbon fiber cages, with 32 males and 24 females, aged for 33-72 years, including 53 cases with single vertebral instability and 3 cases existing L4.5 and L5S1 intervertebral instability. The clinical effect, intervertebral fusion ratio and lost intervertebral height were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 24-35 months, with an average of 28 months. Clinical effects (including symptom, sign, daily action and bladder function) were evaluated according to JOA 29 score. In group A: the JOA score improve from 10.11 +/- 2.40 preoperative to 24.88 +/- 2.30 at final follow-up, 25 cases obtained excellent results, 12 good, 4 fair; 39 cases obtained fusion with the fusion ratio of 95.1% (39/41). In group B: the JOA score from 9.62 +/- 2.60 preoperative to 25.19 +/- 2.40 at final follow-up, 37 cases obtained excellent results, 13 good, 6 fair; 53 cases obtained fusion with the fusion ratio of 94.6% (53/56). In the 7th day after operation, the average intervertebral height in group A was (11.2 +/- 1.2) mm,and that of group B was (11.3 +/- 1.4) mm. Two years later, the average intervertebral height in group A was (11.0 +/- 1.4) mm, while that of group B was (11.1 +/- 1.4) mm. There was no significant difference between two groups in clinical effect, intervertebral fusion ratio and lost intervertebral height (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPedicle screw fixation and single or double carbon fiber cages in treating degenerative lumbar instability both can obtain satisfactory curative effect. Single carbon fiber cage has advantages such as minimally trauma, simply operation, retentively posterior column structure, cheaply price than double carbon fiber cages.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome