The regulatory region and the signal peptide sequence of the sacB gene has been amplified by PCR using Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA as template, and an inducible secretion vector has been developed based on this sequence, which was ligated with Bacillus subtilis alkaline proteinase gene. Transform Bacillus subtilis DB403 with this vector, and the expression of the inserted Bacillus subtilis alkaline proteinase gene can be induced by addition of sucrose into the medium.

BACKGROUND:In the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, few studies have focused on the compound preparations though there are many investigations. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Zhenwu Tang Granule on chronic pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy in rats. METHODS:The study was performed at the laboratory of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease. Male SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups:sham operation group (n=8), operation group (n=15) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n=15).The model of myocardial hypertrophy was made by gradually constricting the abdominal aorta. Sixteen weeks later, cardiac ultrasonography was performed in all groups in order to ascertain post-operational left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. And Zhenwu Tang Granule was added at a dose of 12 g/kg in the mixed feedstuff for 8 weeks in the TCM group. In the 24th week, weight, structure as well as function of the heart in each group were measured by high-frequency ultrasonography, and Masson's staining was performed on the cardiac muscles. Meanwhile, total collagen volume fraction (CVF-T) and non-coronary vessel collagen volume fraction (CVF-NV) were analyzed. RESULTS:There was an increase in the weight of the heart in the operation group, with the left ventricule dominated (P<0.05). The heart was enlarged, with diastolic interventricular septal distance (IVSd) and left ventricular posterior wal distance (LVPWd) dominated (P<0.01).There was a significant decrease in the cardiac function (P<0.05). The weight (P<0.01) and volume of the heart decreased in the TCM group compared with the operation group, with IVSd and systolic left ventricular posterior wal dominated (P<0.01). And the cardiac function was improved (P<0.05). Significant interstitial and col agen hyperplasia was shown in the operation group based on pathological analysis, and various improvements were proved in the TCM group, i.e. there was a significant decrease in CVF-T and CVF-NV (P<0.01) compared with the operation group; but no difference (P>0.05) was found when compared with the pseudo-operation group. CONCLUSION:Zhenwu Tang Granule could reduce the weight and volume of the heart, improve the cardiac function, inhibit hyperplasia of collagen, and reverse myocardial hypertrophy in rats with pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the promoter of IL-12B gene polymorphism and the susceptibility and clinical features of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer with or without Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection in children and adolescent.Methods Mucosal biopsies were obtained from 132 children and adolescent (patient group),including 100 children with chronic gastritis and 32 children with duodenal ulcer,undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms.Biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxilin and eosin (HE),and gastritis was graded according to the Sydney system.Serology,urease test and histology were taken to assess Hp status.Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood or gastric biopsies of patients and 102 healthy children as normal control group.The promoter of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing.The genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared between the study group and the normal control group,and the association of genotypes with clinicopathological features was studied.IL-12B mRNA level expressions in gastric mucosa were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR biopsy-based tests.Results The genotype distributions and allele frequencies of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were similar in gastric upper gastrointestinal diseases and healthy subjects.The IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were not associated with Hp status.IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms did not affect IL-12B mRNA level expressions and were not associated with the degree of antrum chronic inflammation.Conclusions These data suggest that IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer in children and adolescent.

This paper is to report the study of resveratrol-induced apoptosis and its mechanisms in MCF-7 cells. MTT assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of resveratrol on MCF-7 cells. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to observe cellular morphologic changes in apoptosis. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometric analysis and the protein expression was examined by Western blotting analysis. The results indicated that resveratrol could inhibit MCF-7 cell growth in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Remarkable morphologic changes in the cells after 60 micromol L(-1) resveratrol treatment, including cell nuclear shrinkage, DNA condensation and apoptotic bodies, were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Resveratrol could induce apoptosis and activate p38 and p53 in a time dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. In addition, the cell growth inhibitory ratio and the apoptotic ratio of resveratrol-treated group decreased markedly by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 or p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha. Further experiments confirmed that resveratrol-induced p53 activation was reduced by SB203580 whereas the activation of p38 was not affected by pifithrin-alpha. In conclusion, resveratrol induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells could be through activating p38-p53 signal pathway.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzothiazoles ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Toluene ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among Xinjiang Uigur population aged 30-80 and to compare the differences of the three diagnostic criteria used for MS. The three diagnostic criteria were developed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP Ⅲ), International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch (CDS). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2053 Xinjiang Uigur people aged 30-80. The prevalence of MS and the degree of agreement were both calculated according to the three definitions. The results of MS components were also analyzed. Results (1) According to the three definitions (ATP Ⅲ, IDF and CDS), thc prevalence and adjusted prevalence rates of MS were 35.80% (29.64%), 39.41% (35.88%) and 23.72% (19.17%). (2)According to the three definitions (the ATP Ⅲ , IDF and CDS), the prevalence rates of subjects who had at least 3 risk factors were 98.64%, 97.90% and 92.81%. (3) Among all the subjects with MS, the MS diagnostic criteria of ATP Ⅲ and IDF were in good accordance with the Kappa index (0.7801), Youden index (0.7928) and the concordance rate (0.9026). CDS was in relatively weak agreement when comparing with other definitions (ATP Ⅲ and IDF). Conclusion Our findings revealed big differences regarding the prevalence rates, the degree of agreement and the aggregation of risk components on MS among Xinjiang Uigur population. The detection rate of IDF criteria on MS and the highest while detection rate of ATP Ⅲ criteria on subjects presented at least 3 risk factors were the highest. The concordance of ATP Ⅲ criteria and IDF seemed to be a better one.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the curative effect of antiphlogistic agent series on treating chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP).

METHODSOne hundred and sixty patients were randomized into 4 groups for an 8-week clinical observation: group A (oral antiphlogistic medicinal granules only), group B (oral antiphlogistic medicinal granules + retention enema), group C (oral antiphlogistic medicinal granules + rectal), and group D (antiphlogistic medicinal granules + rectally + hip bath). Single blind trials were employed.

RESULTSThe curative rates of the 4 groups were 37.5%, 57.5%, 52.5% and 82.5% respectively, while the total efficacy rates were 42.5%, 82.5%, 77.5% and 92.5% respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, the curative rate of group D was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The difference in efficacy rates was slight between groups B and D (P < 0.05), but significant between groups A and C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment therapy can improve the effect of CNP treatment and clear away heat and toxic material. The antiphlogistic agent series, with the effect of motivating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, turned out to be an effective traditional Chinese medicine in treating CNP.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVEIt is revealed that circulating fibrocytes are elevated in patients/animals with cardiac fibrosis, and this review aims to provide an introduction to circulating fibrocytes and their role in cardiac fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESThis review is based on the data from 1994 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "circulating fibrocytes " and "cardiac fibrosis ".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles and critical reviews, which are related to circulating fibrocytes and cardiac fibrosis, were selected.

RESULTSCirculating fibrocytes, which are derived from hematopoietic stem cells, represent a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibiting mixed morphological and molecular characteristics of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells (CD34+/CD45+/collagen I+). They can produce extracellular matrix and many cytokines. It is shown that circulating fibrocytes participate in many fibrotic diseases, including cardiac fibrosis. Evidence accumulated in recent years shows that aging individuals and patients with hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and atrial fibrillation have more circulating fibrocytes in peripheral blood and/or heart tissue, and this elevation of circulating fibrocytes is correlated with the degree of fibrosis in the hearts.

CONCLUSIONSCirculating fibrocytes are effector cells in cardiac fibrosis.

Coronary Disease ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; physiology ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Heart Failure ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; pathology ; Myocardium ; pathology

This article reported the clinical features of one child with infantile hypophosphatasia (HPP) and his pedigree information. The proband was a 5-month-old boy with multiple skeletal dysplasia (koilosternia, bending deformity of both radii, and knock-knee deformity of both knees), feeding difficulty, reduction in body weight, developmental delay, recurrent pneumonia and respiratory failure, and a significant reduction in blood alkaline phosphatase. Among his parents, sister, uncle, and aunt (other family members did not cooperate with us in the examination), his parents and aunt had a slight reduction in alkaline phosphatase and his aunt had scoliosis; there were no other clinical phenotypes or abnormal laboratory testing results. His ALPL gene mutation came from c.228delG mutation in his mother and c.407G>A compound heterozygous mutation in his father. His aunt carried c.228delG mutation. The c.407G>A mutation had been reported as the pathogenic mutation of HPP, and c.228delG mutation was a novel pathogenic mutation. Hypophosphatasia is caused by ALPL gene mutation, and ALPL gene detection is an effective diagnostic method. This study expands the mutation spectrum of ALPL gene and provides a theoretical basis for genetic diagnosis of this disease.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; chemistry ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hypophosphatasia ; etiology ; genetics ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of serum iron-cofactored superoxide dismutase (SodB) antibody encoded by Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) genome in infected populations of H.pylori and the occurrence of gastric cancer.Methods Serum samples from 114 cases and 104 control were collected.Indirect ELISA was used to detect serum SodB antibody level in case group and control group.The relationship between serum SodB antibody level and GC risk was analyzed by conditional logistic regression.The value of SodB in serological screening of gastric cancer was analyzed and evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results The level of serum SodB antibody was correlated with the occurrence of gastric cancer in subjects with OR=2.287 (95％CI:1.191～4.391)(P＜0.05).The optimal cutoff value of SodB for screening gastric cancer was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,and it was 0.028 0.The area under the ROC curve for subjects was 0.575 (95 ％ CI:0.501 ～ 0.649).Conclusion The level of serum H.pylori SodB antibody was associated with the occurrence of gastric cancer.SodB alone was not effective in screening gastric cancer.It might be used in combination with other biomarkers of gastric cancer to improve further screening of gastric cancer.

Five components in the impurity profile of tinidazole glucose injection were detected and identified by UPLC-Q Exactive quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry, in combination with retention time references, organic reaction mechanisms and UV spectral analysis. They are 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (impurity 1), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (impurity 2), 1-(2-(ethylsulfonyl)ethyl)-2-methyl-4-nitro-1H-Imidazole (impurity 5), 1-(2-(ethylthio)ethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole (impurity 6) and 1,4-di-N-oxo-2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole (impurity 8) respectively, of which impurities 6 and 8 are identified for the first time. These results and detection methods are useful for monitoring the manufacturing process and quality control of tinidazole and glucose injection solution.