Lysins are efficient bacteria cell wall digesting enzymes encoded by DNA bacteriophage. Gram-positive bacteriophage lysins feature similar domain structure, high lytic efficiency, synergic antibacterial effect with antibiotics, rare neutralization by antibodies, less chance of developing drug-resistant strains, et al. The past decade has seen a considerable amount of research worldwidely focused on lysin, and lysins have been used successfully in a variety of animal models to control pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria found on mucosal surfaces and infected tissues. The great potential of lysins as an anti-infective agent prompted this review.

Background Acanthamoeba keratitis is a sort of serious infectious eye disease with high causing-blindness rate.Acanthamoeba keratitis often is misdiagnosed as fungal keratitis or viral keratitis in the early stage.Because conventional clinical diagnosis methods show a low specificity and take a long time,timely treatment often is delayed.Conventional PCR does not apply well because the lesion sample is not enough to extract DNA.However,direct PCR can amplify 18S rRNA conserved sequence of acanthamoeba keratitis without the extraction of DNA.Objective This study was to discuss the feasibility for rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis using direct PCR to amplify the gene 18S rRNA fragment.Methods Ten acanthamoeba strains were isolated from 10 eyes with acanthamoeba keratitis in Qingdao Eye Hospital.The sensitivity of the direct PCR assay was tested using different numbers of amoebas.The specificity of the assay was tested using DNA extracted from acanthamoeba,candida albicans,pseudomonas aeruginosa,herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and normal human corneal epithelial cell.Acanthamoeba keratitis models were established using infected method in clean 6-week-old female BALB/c mice.Corneal lesion samples were obtained 1 day,3,5,7,10,15 days after modeled.The effectivity and feasibility of the direct PCR assay for rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis were evaluated and compared with culture method,corneal smear examination and real-time PCR.Results Direct PCR primers could only amplify DNA of acanthamoeba rather than other pathogens,and 10 stains of acanthamoeba were detected at least in each sample.During the development of acanthamoeba keratitis in the mice,the diagnosis positive rate of direct PCR was 80.0％,90.0％,80.0％,70.0％,70.0％ and 50.0％ in 1 day,3,5,7,10,15 days after modeled with the total positive rate 73.3％,which was higher than 31.7％ of culture method,56.7％ of corneal smear examination and 61.7％ of realtime PCR,with a significant difference between the direct PCR and culture method (P =0.005),but no significant difference was seen in the total positive rate between the direct PCR and real-time PC R (P =0.172) or corneal smear examination (P =0.056).Conclusions The direct PCR assay is a simple,rapid,highly specific and sensitive method for the rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis,especially for the limited lesion sample.

Objective To study the osteogenic effects of induced endothelial cell(EC)on bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)of rabbits in co-culture condition.Methods BMSCs were obtained from rabbits by density gradient centrifugation.The adhesive ceils were preserved to passage in culture.The cultured cells were divided into four groups:group A(BMSCs),group B(BMSCs osteogenic induction),group C(EC induction)and group D (co-culture of induced BMSCs and EC).The cell morphology,immunofluorescence,cell proliferation,alkaline pbosphatase(ALP)activity,osteocalcin synthesis were observed to determine the effects of induced autologous EC on the osteogenic potential and cellular compatibility of BMSCs.Results The immunochemical staining showed that the BMSCs were induced into EC in group C.The cellular compatibility of BMSCs and EC was good.The ALP activity and osteocalcin content were obviously higher in group D than in any other groups(P＜0.05).The cell proliferation difference was not obvious between groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions The cellular compatibility of induced osteoblasts and induced EC is perfect.The ECs can significantly increase the viability and ALP activity of induced osteoblasts.

Objective To investigate the MRI and echocardiography manifestations of noncompaction of ventricular myocardium(NVM)and assess the role of MRI in the diagnosis of NVM by comparing it with echocardiography.Methods Fourteen cases of NVM diagnosed by echocardiography were examined with MRI,including scanning of black-blood sequences,double inversion recovery fast spin echo (DIRFSE)and triple inversion recovery fast spin echo(TIRFSE),and white blood sequence:fast imaging employ steady state acquisition(FIESTA).Scanning plane includes short axis view,four-chamber view and long axis view.Results Both MRI and echocardiography displayed involvement of left ventricles in thirteen cases and involvement of double ventricles in one case.Apexes of heart and the intermedius are commonly affected.MRI showed 54 segments and echocardiography showed 53 segments affected,and there is no significant difference between the capability of MRI and echocardiography(P=1.000).The affected myocardium consisted of two layers:subendoeardial noncompacted myocardium and epicardial compacted myocardium,and the ratio measurement of N/C by MRI was 3.37?0.89 and it was 3.19?0.82 by echocardiography.Noncompacted myocardium was characterized by prominent and excessive myocardial trabeculations and deep intratrabecular recesses,in which the blood flow was communicated with the ventricle.One case was complicated with ventricular aneurysm,and coronary arteriography was performed with unremarkable findings.One case underwent heart transplantation because of progressive heart failure, Gross findings demonstrated prominent muscular trabeculations with deep intratrabecular recesses,which coincided well with MRI findings.Conclusion The MRI manifestation of NVM is characteristic,and MRI with multiple series and planes is helpful in the diagnose of NVM.Compared with echoeardiography,MRI could display the pathological cardiac muscle more clearly,because of its high soft-tissue resolution and spatial resolution.

Objective Investigated the treatment effect of ISCOM leukemia vaccine combination with 1-methyl tryptophan on tumor burden mice .Methods Saponin was added lipase protein (1 mg/mL) 7 ℃ for 12 h ,adding 80 μL lipid mixed solution and 5 mL saponin solution (1 mg/mL ) to prepare ISCOM leukemia vaccine .C57BL /6 mice were randomly divided into model group , ISCOM leukemia vaccine group ,1-methyl tryptophan group and combination group ,Mice were injected FBL-3 cell to built leukemia tumor-burdened mice model .After treatment for 4 weeks ,tumors weight ,NK and Mφ and CTL cell killing activity ,serum levels of IL-10 ,IL-12 were detected .Results Tumor weight in combination group was less than 1-methyl tryptophan and ISCOM leukemia group [(0 .64 ± 0 .26)g vs .(2 .49 ± 0 .91)g ,P< 0 .01 ,(0 .64 ± 0 .26)g vs .(1 .28 ± 0 .73)g ,P< 0 .05] ;NK cell killing activity in com-bination group was higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group[(38 .41 ± 8 .27)% vs .(67 .22 ± 12 .74)% ,all P< 0 .01)] ;M φ activity in combination group was significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group[(55 .69 ± 13 .69)% vs .(69 .47 ± 14 .79)% ,P< 0 .01] ;CTL activity in combination group was significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group[(43 .77 ± 8 .89)% vs .(69 .68 ± 11 .44)% ,P< 0 .01 ,(58 .87 ± 9 .45)% vs .(69 .68 ± 11 .44)% ,P < 0 .05] ;IL-10 in combination group were significantly lower than 1 - methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group [(76 .2 ± 6 .82)pg /L vs .(98 .3 ± 13 .4)pg/L ,P<0 .01 ,(76 .2 ± 6 .82)pg/L vs .(202 .3 ± 44 .5)pg/L ,P < 0 .01] ;IL-12 in combination group were significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group[(381 .2 ± 47 .3)pg/L vs .(332 .1 ± 30 .2)pg/L ,P < 0 .05 ,(381 .2 ± 47 .3)pg /L vs . (291 .2 ± 17 .3)pg/L ,P< 0 .01] .Conclusion Combination with 1-methyl tryptophan and ISCOM leukemia vaccine has a well anti-tumor effect ,its mechanism may be through mediated and the expression of IL-12 and IL-10 .

Objective To demonstrate the MRI manifestations of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation(CCAM)and to evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI.Methods Thoracic axial,sagittal and coronal plane scanning were performed with SSFSE in 9 fetuses diagnosed or suspected of CCAM by ultrasound(US)within 1—2 days after US examination.The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal autopsy or follow-up.Results In nine fetuses,seven cases of CCAM were diagnosed with MRI and confirmed by autopsy,one case was congenital pulmonary sequestration,one was normal on MRI and two weeks late US.In seven cases of CCAM(5 males and 2 females),four cases were in the right side,three in the left.Four cases of macrocystic type CCAM showed single or multiple cystic long T_2 signal in the unilateral lung,three cases of microcystic type CCAM presented long T_2 signal without cyst.Vessels with flow void phenomenon were found in 2 cases of CCAM and 1 case of pulmonary sequestration.Conclusion MRI can clearly show the location,range and contour of CCAM.The vessel originated from the aorta is suggestive of pulmonary sequestration.

BACKGROUNDGreen tea is an important source of flavonoids in human diets and epidemiological data correlate green tea consumption with a reduced cancer risk. Given its complicated properties at effective concentrations, we put epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that previously reported on its anti-proliferative activities against several cancer cell lines on our research agenda to further examine the mechanism of its chemopreventive potential.

METHODSRNA interference (RNAi) expression vector pSilencer 3.1-H1 was used to construct recombinant nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-targeting RNAi plasmids. EGCG (5 microg/ml) was added into the culture fluid of cells before and after transfection. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A in cells. Forty male BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups: a normal unexposed control and three groups treated with varying doses of EGCG. Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed, and their colon tissues were subjected to mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and UGT1A via RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSEGCG up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and increased the level of UGT1A in cells. The blockade of Nrf2 activity via RNA intervention largely attenuated the induction of UGT1A expression by EGCG. In mice, the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and UGT1A detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting increased (both P < 0.05 compared with the control). This increase in Nrf2 expression also had a positive correlation with an increased UGT1A expression.

CONCLUSIONSEGCG mediated its effect in part by inducing the NRF2 signaling pathway and increasing UGT1A expression. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the role of NRF2 and UGT1A expression in the potential use of EGCG as a possible chemopreventive agent and supported further study of EGCG for cancer treatment.

Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Caco-2 Cells ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous

OBJECTIVETo establish a probabilistic model for evaluation of dietary exposure to lead and construct age-related exposure centiles for the residents in Jiangsu.

METHODSLead contamination data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring program during 2001 - 2006 and 2791 samples from 232 food products in Jiangsu were included. Food consumption data were from the national diet and nutrition survey conducted in 2002, including 3938 subjects in Jiangsu. A non-parametric probabilistic model using Monte Carlo simulation was applied to derive the intake distribution. The intake data was then analyzed using the LMS method, which constructs exposure percentiles adjusted for the median (M), the coefficient of variation (S) and the skewness (L) of the intake distribution.

RESULTSThe median and P(99) of the lead exposure for the residents in Jiangsu were 1.02 µg×kg(-1)×d(-) and 9.29 µg×kg(-1)×d(-1), respectively.6.38% of the total population showed to have a lead intake exceeding the tolerable limit, which for the urban and rural population were 4.31% and 7.06%, respectively. The exceeding rate for children of 2 - 10 years old from the urban and rural areas were 13.17% and 17.70%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere was a large variation in the lead exposure level of the population in Jiangsu; People in rural areas are in greater risk for higher lead exposure than urban people; The dietary exposure to lead for children and the high-end population was serious.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Humans ; Lead ; analysis ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUNDGalectin-3 is the most recently identified advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) binding protein. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AGEs and rosiglitazone on the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in cultured human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).

METHODSHRMCs were incubated with different concentrations of AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L) for different time (0, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours), and exposed to AGE-BSA in the presence of different concentrations of rosiglitazone (1, 10, and 100 micromol/L). The mRNA and protein expression of galectin-3 in HRMCs were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The culture medium of HRMCs was collected and concentrated, and the content of galectin-3 in the medium was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSBoth RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that AGE-BSA up-regulated the expression of galectin-3 in HRMCs in a concentration- (P < 0.05) and time-dependent (P < 0.05) manner compared with the control. Compared with the control, AGE-BSA elevated the content of galectin-3 in the culture medium of HRMCs time- and concentration-dependently (P < 0.05, respectively). Both protein and mRNA expression of galectin-3, and its content in the medium of HRMCs exposed to different concentrations of rosiglitazone in the presence of AGE-BSA were increased compared with those of cells exposed to AGE-BSA alone (P < 0.05). Rosiglitazone increased the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAGEs up-regulates the expression and secretion of galectin-3 in HRMCs. Rosiglitazone further enhances the upregulation of galectin-3 in HRMCs induced by AGEs, which suggests that rosiglitazone may play a role of reno-protection via up-regulation of galectin-3.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; secretion ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology