Objective To identify a unique protein as a novel genetic marker for rapid molecular typing of Mycobacteriutn tuberculosis Beijing genotype strains by comparing the proteome of Beijing genotype strains with non-Beijing strains.Methods Fifty-six clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuber- culosis were analyzed by spoligotyping to determine genotypes.The two-dimensional electrophoresis (2 DE)was used to compare the global protein patterns between Beijing genotype strains and non Bei jing strains.Differential expressed proteins were measured by matrix assisted laser desorption ioniza tion lime of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).The data obtained from peptide mass fingerprinting were compared in protein database.The genes encoding differential expressed proteins and their upstream were sequenced.Results Forty nine of the 56 isolates were Beijing genotype strains and 7 isolates were non-Beijing strains.A unique protein Rv0927c was identified,which is absent in Beijing genotype strains compared with 7 non Beijing strains and H37Rv.There were two characteristic mutations in Beijing genotype strains,a deletion of AGC at nucleotide position 421 of Rv0927c and a 127 G→A muta- tion in the upstream of Rv0927c.but not in non Beijing strains and H37Rv.Conclusion Characteris tic mutations of Rv0927c in Beijing genotype strains can be used as a novel genetic marker for rapid molecular typing of Mycobacteriuln tuberculosis Beijing genotype strains and non Beijing strains.

Objective To determine urinary iodine level among babies and infants aged 0-30 months in Ningxia, and to provide scientific evidence for strengthening iodine supplement or decreasing salt iodine level in special population. Methods One thousand four hundred and eighty-three babies and infants were selected randomly from 664 administrative villages of 22 counties (city or district) by two-stage sampling method. Urinary iodine was tested with the arsenic cerium catalysis spectrophotometric method and related influencing factors were analyzed. Results Urinary iodine median was 216.5 μg/L of the whole autonomous region, and the value that was lower than 100 μg/L, accounted for 19.1%(283/1483), 100 - 300 μg/L accounted for 49.3%(731/1483), higher than 300 μg/L, accounted for 31.6% (469/1483). Urinary iodine median was in 130.6 - 328.4 μg/L of all counties, which was higher than 100 μg/L. The urinary iodine median of men(223.2 μg/L) was slightly higher than that(210.2 μg/L) of female, no significant difference was observed(Z = - 1.76, P > 0.05). Urinary iodine level changed little when child was younger than one year old(Z = - 0.624, P > 0.05). Then the value dropped gradually after one year old(χ2 = 13.59, P < 0.05), decreased with age by month, and the proportion of the value smaller than 100 μg/L was increased gradually. Urinary iodine level(257.5 μg/L) of child whose mother had taken iodine oil pills was higher than that (221.2 μg/L) of child whose mother had significant difference was observed(Z = - 2.54, P < 0.05). The urinary iodine level (239.1 μg/L) of child who received breast feeding was higher than that (204.2 μg/L) of child without breast feeding among one year old and younger infants and babies, significant difference was observed (Z = - 2.74, P < 0.05). Conclusions Current iodine level in iodized salt is probably higher than suitable in Ningxia, and the value could be decreased. It is unnecessary to strengthen iodine supplement procedure in special population other than people in Xiji county.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of iptkalim on myocardial enzymes and free radicals metabolism with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH), in order to provide evidence for the mechanism of iptkalim on clinical treat.

METHODS110 young men stayed at high altitude above 5 000 m were divided into iptkalim group (n = 74) and placebo group (n = 36), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide(NO) and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) were detected before and after took medicines for 6 mouths.

RESULTSAfter took medication for 6 mouths, ALT, AST, gamma-GT, CK and LDH were reduced, SOD, NO, and NOS were increased, MDA were reduced, there were very significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOxygen free radicals have taken part in the process of HPH, iptkalim have the effect of anti-peroxidation of lipid and protect myocardial cells stress injured by hypoxia which related with mitochondrial membrane and cell membrane's K(ATP) channel activation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; complications ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Potassium Channels ; agonists ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Young Adult

The experiment's aim was to optimize the processing technology of Xanthii Fructus which through comparing the difference of UPLC fingerprint and contents of toxicity ingredient in water extract of 16 batches of processed sample. The determination condition of UPLC chromatographic and contents of toxicity ingredient were as follows. UPLC chromatographic: ACQUITY BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 microm) eluted with the mobile phases of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acidwater in gradient mode, the flow rate was 0.25 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm. Contents of toxicity ingredient: Agilent TC-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase was methanol-0.01 mol x L(-1) sodium dihydrogen phosphate (35: 65), flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and detection wavelength was 203 nm. The chromatographic fingerprints 16 batches of samples were analyzed in using the similarity evaluation system of chromatographic, fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine, SPSS16.0 and SIMCA13.0 software, respectively. The similarity degrees of the 16 batches samples were more than 0.97, all the samples were classified into four categories, and the PCA showed that the peak area of chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid were significantly effect index in fingerprint of processed Xanthii Fructus sample. The outcome of determination showed that the toxicity ingredient contents of all samples reduced significantly after processing. This method can be used in optimizing the processing technology of Xanthii Fructus.
Caffeic Acids ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; toxicity ; Quinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; toxicity ; Xanthium ; chemistry ; classification

Doxorubicin loaded micelles were prepared by film-hydration method using stearyl sulfadiazine (SA-SD) which is pH sensitive, methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000-1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (mPEG-DOPE) and transactivator of transcription (TAT) peptide conjugated PEG-DOPE. Mean diameter of the pH-sensitive micelles was about 20 nm with a (99.1 +/- 2.1) % drug entrapment efficiency at pH 7.4. Flow cytometry studies revealed that the simple TAT micelles was taken up rapidly at the same level at pH 6.8 and pH 7.4. However, the pH-sensitive micelles entered the tumor cell less at pH 7.4 and significantly increase at pH 6.8. After 1 h incubation at pH 6.8, the amount of the pH-sensitive micelles taken up by cancer cell 4T1 was almost similar to simple TAT micelles. The confocal microscopy indicated that the pH-sensitive micelles entered the 4T1 cells at pH 6.8 more than at pH 7.4. It was indicated that the pH-sensitive micelles could shield TAT peptide at normal pH 7.4 and deshield it at pH 6.8. Hence, TAT peptides lead the drug-loaded micelles into the tumor cells and killed them selectively. The pH-sensitive micelle may provide a novel strategy for design of cancer targeting drug delivery system.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell-Penetrating Peptides ; chemistry ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Gene Products, tat ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Micelles ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Sulfadiazine ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biomechanical changes with different directions distraction at midface.

METHODSAn anteriorly directed 500 g force was applied to the floor of apertura piriforms in different directions to the occlusal plane. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to evaluate the biomechanical change of craniofacial complex.

RESULTSAs the force direction was moved downward, the sagittal distraction length of the craniofacial complex decreased and vertical movement changed from upward to downward. The craniofacial complex was moved anteriorly when the downward force was applied about 20-30 degrees to the occlusal plane. The forces could generate the uniform stress distribution in the craniofacial sutures and avoid counterclockwise rotation of the maxilla.

CONCLUSIONSThe craniofacial complex can be effectively distracted anteriorly when the downward force is applied to the floor of aperture piriforms in direction of 20-30 degrees to the occlusal plane.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer-Aided Design ; Cranial Sutures ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mandible ; physiology ; surgery

Objective To investigate the prevalence, common clinical symptoms and complications, transmission routes and media of brucellosis among human in the city of Songyuan in Jilin province, and to provide practical basis for brucellosis intervention and related control measures. Methods Use self-designed questionnaire to collect information from outpatients in brucellosis clinic in Songyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention from January to June 2009, and to analyze the related data from the survey: prevalence, time and geographical distribution, clinical symptom, transmission route and media. Results Of the total 620 cases investigated, there were 284 patients accounting for 45.8% (284/620), 75 suspected patients accounting for 12.1% (75/620), 13stealth patients accounting for 2.1% (13/620) and 248 negative people accounting for 40.0% (248/640). Main common symptoms of the patients were fever[66.5%( 189/284)], muscle and joint pain[38.7%( 110/284)],fatigue[27.5%(78/284)], hyperhidrosis[25.0%(71/284)]and low back pain[17.3%(49/284)]. The patients group had a significantly higher prevalence of mucocutaneous infection, contacting infected animal abortion flow,fur, soil, faeces and dust than the uninfected group(χ2 value were 27.12, 22.75, 8.90, 6.65, 6.39, 6.39, all P< 0.01 or < 0.05). Conclusions The positive rate of brucellosis in the brucellosis clinic of Songyuan city is high,and patients have typical symptoms. We should take comprehensive control measures to protect the high-risk group and reduce the local infectivety.

?AlM: To investigate repeatability and accuracy of a latest Keratograph for evaluating the tear film stability and to compare its measurements with that of traditional examination methods.
?METHODS: The results of noninvasive tear film break-up time ( Nl-BUT ) including the first tear film break-up time ( BUT-f ) and the average tear film break-up time ( BUT - ave ) were measured by Keratograph. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated by coefficient of variation ( CV ) and intraclass correlation coefficient ( lCC) . Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to compare Nl-BUT with fluorescein tear film break-up time ( FBUT) to confirm the correlation between Nl-BUT and FBUT, Schirmer l test values. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate consistency.
?RESULTS: The study recruited 48 subjects ( 48 eyes ) (mean age 38. 7±15. 2 years). The CV and lCC of BUT-f were respectively 12. 6% and 0. 95, those of BUT-ave were 9. 8% and 0. 96. The value of BUT-f was lower than that of FBUT. The difference had statistical significance ( 6. 16±2. 46s vs 7. 46±1. 92s, P<0. 01). There was significant positive correlation between Nl-BUT and FBUT, Schirmer l test values ( P< 0. 01 ). The scope of 95% limits of agreement (LoA) was 4. 46s in BUT-f and FBUT, while the scope of LoA was 3. 64s in BUT-ave and FBUT.
?CONCLUSlON: Keratograph can provide Nl-BUT data that has a better repeatability and reliability, which has great application prospects in diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and refractive corneal surgery.

OBJECTIVENasal operation and/or H-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was performed for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with both oral pharynx and nasal obstruction, results analyzed.

METHODSPatients were divided into group A (46 cases) and group B (42 case) randomly. Nasal procedures were: septoplasty, radiofrequency reduction of inferior turbinate, adenoidectomy and functional endoscopic operation. Cases in group A had nasal operation first, while cases in group B first had UPPP. All patients had sleep study with polysomnography (PSG) 2 and 12 months after each operation. Those who failed to reach the criteria of being effective after first surgery (defined as a 25% reduction in baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) received second phase operation (nasal operation for group B and UPPP for group A). The response rates were compared between the two groups after each phase of operation.

RESULTSIn group A, the phase one operation were effective in 44.0% (11/25) for the mild degree OSAHS patients (defined as AHI < 20/h), according to the sleep study performed 2 months after surgery, and no recurrence after one-year. All moderate ones (defined as 20/h < AHI < 40/h) responded poorly to nasal operation. The overall response rate was 23.9% (11/46). Non-responses (35 cases) in group A underwent UPPP and the response rate to it was 85.7% (30/35) in one year. In group B, UPPP operation was effective in 63.6% (14/22) mild cases and 30.0% (6/20) moderate cases in 2 months but 4 cases had recurrence in one year. Twenty-two cases underwent the second phase operation of nose and the response rate was 86.4% (19/22) in one year. There was no statistical significance on the overall response rate between group A and B (89.1% vs 83.3%, P > 0.05). While there was statistical significance of response rate between those patients who had only one operation and those who had both surgeries (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of nasal procedures and UPPP is effective a for OSAHS patient with nasal diseases especially in mild and moderate cases.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Palate, Soft ; surgery ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Uvula ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous laser and O2-O3 mixture in treating chronic discogenic low back pain.

METHODSThere were 48 patients included 32 male and 16 female with the mean age of 43.5 years (range, from 21 to 66 years). The duration of symptoms was more than 6 months, all patients were treated with percutaneous laser and O2-O3 mixture under TV monitoring.

RESULTSForty-eight patients followed-up showed no severe complications. At 1 week follow up, 8 cases were evaluated as excellent, 28 as good, 8 as fair and 4 as poor by Macnab standard. The excellent and good rate reached 75%. At 3 months follow up, 17 cases were evaluated as excellent, 23 as good, 6 as fair and 2 as poor with the excellent and good rate of 83.3%. At 6 months follow up, 20 cases were evaluated as excellent, 22 as good, 4 as fair and 2 as poor with a total effective rate of 87.5%. At 12 months follow up, 21 cases were evaluated as excellent, 22 as good, 4 as fair and 1 as poor with a total effective rate of 89.6%.

CONCLUSIONCombined percutaneous laser and O3-O3 mixture is an effective and safe method in treating discogenic low back pain.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Low Back Pain ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ozone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome