A complete aniline dioxygenase gene cluster cloned from an Acinetobacter sp. strain, which could utilize aniline as the sole carbon, nitrogen and energy, was sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the gene cluster had six intact ORFs, and the whole sequence had high similarity with that of Acinetobacter sp. YAA at amino acid level. A recombinant strain was formed with the gene cluster ligated to vector pLAFR6 and transferred to E.coli. After optimizing the fermentation conditions of this strain for producing catechol, LB was confirmed as the final medium, pH7.0, aniline concentration 0.5mg/ml, E.coli DH5?as the host, incubation temperature 37℃, amount of inoculum 3%. Under above conditions, the yield of catechol could get to 0.546mg/ml, and the converting rate of substrate at molecule level could get to 92.4%.

Objective To provide a practicable method for the complete display and localization of the posterolateral structures (PLS) of the normal knee through MRI study. Methods 30 tibial bone specimens were observed to establish the bony landmark for localizing the knee. In 50 cadaver knees, the angles between lateral tibial plateau and the long axis of the individual structure of PLS were measured. Then the scan methods of the oblique MR images were determined based on above results. The routine and oblique scans of T 1WI were performed in 40 normal knees. The display effect and appearance of the PLS were observed on MRI. Results The lateral tibial plateau was a stable bony landmark for measuring and localizing of the knee. In the 40 normal knees, The fibular collateral ligament could be intactly displayed on 70? posterior coronal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). The popliteus could be better seen on either 45? medial sagittal oblique in 34 cases (85%) or 60? posterior coronal oblique planes in 36 cases (90%). The popliteofibular ligament could be intactly appreciated on both 60? posterior coronal oblique in 32 cases (80%) and 70? lateral sagittal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). Although the arcuate ligament and the fabellofibular ligament could occasionally be seen on routine and oblique images, but the display rate was lower. Conclusion The oblique MR imaging can intactly display the main structures of PLS, and can be useful in diagnosing the injuries in those structures.

BACKGROUNDTraditional Chinese medicine has been used widely for many years in China to treat acute pancreatitis. We have investigated the effects of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal permeability and outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODSForty patients with sustained SAP that required admission to the surgical intensive care unit were enrolled prospectively in the study. All of these patients were divided randomly into the Dachengqi decoction group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20) on admission. Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring absorption of two metabolically inert markers, lactulose (L) and mannitol (M), which were administered orally. Serum concentrations of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and the ratio of lactulose to mannitol in urine (L/M) were detected in all patients.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, urinary L/M ratio decreased significantly in the Dachengqi decoction group on the 7th day after admission (P = 0.001). Also, serum concentrations of LPS were reduced on the 5th and 7th day after admission (P = 0.006, P = 0.008, respectively). Incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and pancreatic infection was significantly lower in the Dachengqi decoction group compared with those in the control group (P = 0.038,P = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSIONDachengqi decoction may promote the recovery of intestinal mucosal permeability and decrease the incidence of MODS and pancreatic infection in patients with SAP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective： The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between cyclin A expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and the proliferative activity and the prognosis. Methods： Cyclin A expression in 60 non-small cell lung carcinoma specimens was detected by immunohistochemical method. DNA content was measured by flow cytometry. Results： Twenty-nine cases (48.3％ ) showed cyclin A expression. The median S-phase fraction of the cyclin A-positive 14.4± 3.9％ was higher than that of the cyclin A-negative 9.4± 3.5％ . The overall survival was significantly lower in patients with cyclin A expression than in those without cyclin A expression. Conclusion： Cyclin A expression contributed to the high proliferative activity in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Cyclin A might be a prognostic marker of non-small cell lung carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of antisperm antibodies (AsAb), sexual hormones, and inhibin B (INH B) in patients before and after testicular torsion, as well as the effects of these factors on testicular function and reproduction.

METHODSTen patients with single acute testicular torsion (left side 9 and right side 1), aged 16-45 years (19.6 on average), disease course of 3-6 days (averaging 4.7 days), underwent surgical removal of the damaged testis. Before and after the operation, serum AsAb (IgG, IgM, IgA) and INH B were measured by ELISA, and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) determined by chemoluminescence autoanalyzer.

RESULTSAfter the operation, the AsAb levels rose significantly and remained high for at least 26 weeks. The level of INH B was the lowest in the 3rd week and restored to normal in the 12th week, with significant difference between preoperation and the 3rd or the 6th week after the operation. The levels of LH and INH B in the 26th week were elevated significantly compared with the 6th.

CONCLUSIONTesticular injury induced the elevation of AsAb, which would last a very long time. The change of INH B was closely related with the injury of the testis, which reflected the degree of testicular injury and functional restoration of the patients after the operation. Our study showed that AsAb and INH B can be used as useful tools for monitoring testicular function and reproduction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Inhibins ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; immunology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spermatozoa ; immunology ; Testis ; physiopathology ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective To explore repressive effects of transthyretitin (TTR) on the growth of human retinal endothelial cells (hREC) under high glucose and hypoxia environment. Methods hRECs were divided into 8 groups, including normal glucose group (5.5 mmol/L glucose), hypoxia group, high glucose group (25.0 mmol/L glucose), high glucose and hypoxia group, normal glucose group+TTR, normal glucose and hypoxia group+TTR, high glucose group+TTR, high glucose and hypoxia group+TTR. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cellular apoptosis. The expression level of Akt, p-Akt, eNOS, Bcl-2 and Bax protein were measured by Western blot. Results Hypoxia could induce apoptosis as the apoptosis rate of normal and hypoxia group was higher than normal group (χ2=25.360, P<0.05), high glucose and hypoxia group was higher that high glucose group (χ2=17.400, P<0.05). The cell apoptosis rate of high glucose and hypoxia group+TTR were increased significantly as compared with high glucose and hypoxia group (χ2=9.900, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference on the cell apoptosis rate between normal group and high glucose group, normal group+TTR and normal group, high glucose group+TTR and high glucose group, normal and hypoxia group+TTR and normal and hypoxia group (P>0.05). Western blot showed that the expression of Akt did not change significantly in all eight groups(F=2.450, P>0.05). Compared to normal group, the expression of p-Akt, eNOS, Bcl-2 in normal and hypoxia group were decreased (t=9.406, 5.306, 4.819), and the expression of Bax (t=-4.503) was increased (P<0.05). Compared to high glucose group, same trend was found in high glucose and hypoxia group (t=8.877, 7.723, 6.500, -14.646; P<0.05). The expression of p-Akt in normal and hypoxia group+TTR was higher than normal and hypoxia group (t=-5.024, P<0.05) ,but there was no difference on the expression of eNOS, Bcl-2, Bax between these two groups (t=-2.235, -2.656, -0.272;P>0.05). Compared to high glucose and hypoxia group, the expression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 in high glucose and hypoxia group+TTR were decreased (t=4.355, 4.308; P<0.05), the expression of Bax was increased (t=-4.311, P<0.05), and there was no difference on the expression of eNOS between these two groups (t=-1.590, P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of p-Akt, eNOS, Bcl-2, Bax between high glucose group and normal group (t=-3.407, -4.228, -4.302, -2.076; P>0.05), normal group+TTR and normal group (t=-4.245, -4.298, -2.816, -1.326; P>0.05), high glucose group+TTR and high glucose group (t=4.016, -0.784, 0.707, -0.328; P>0.05). Conclusion Under high glucose and hypoxia, transthyretitin suppress the growth of hREC through Akt/Bcl-2/Bax, but not Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the protection mechanism of dexmedetomidine against retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) in mice.Methods Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice born 8 weeks were randomly into sham group,model group and experimental group.Each group had 16 mice.Mice model of RIRI were prepared.Before modeling 15 min,dexmedetomidine 25 μg · L-1 was injected into the abdominal cavity in experimental group,and the same dose of 0.9％ normal saline was injected into the abdominal cavity in sham group and model group.The RIRI model was established successfully then these mice were killed after reperfusion 24 h.The superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected by WST-1 method,the malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by TBA method,and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) was determined by colorimetry.The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),1-methylcyclopropene (MCP-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the sham group,the levels of SOD (45.47 ± 8.16) U · mg-1 and GSH-PX (264.64 ± 27.31) U · mg-1 in the retinal tissue of the model group were decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).While MDA (1.56±0.41) nmol · mg-1,TNF-α (2.67±0.23) ng · mL-1,IL-6 (2.84±0.34) ng · mL-1,MCP-1 (0.68 ±0.06) ng · mL-1 and IL-10 (0.21 ±0.02) ng · mL-1 in the retinal tissue of the model group were decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of SOD (71.05 ± 9.34) U · mg-1,GSH-PX (382.20 ±31.56) U · mg-1 and IL-10 (0.44 ±0.07) ng · mL-1 in the retina tissue of the experimental group were decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).while MDA (1.02 ± 0.23) nmol · mg-1,TNF-α (1.53 ± 0.20)ng· mL-1,IL-6 (1.6 ±0.07) ng · mL-1 and MCP-1 (0.41 ±0.07) ng · mL-1 of the experimental group experimental group were decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can significantly reduce RIRI,the mechanism may be related to inhibit oxygen free radical-induced lipid peroxidation injury and inhibit the secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of translocation of pedicled buccal fat pad in the treatment of the temporomandibular joint ankylosis(TMJA)by measuring the diameter of buccal fat pad and related anatomical structures of the transverse blood vessels,nerves and temporomandibular joint.Methods A total of 40 adult head and neck specimens were randomly divided into group A and group B,with 20 cases in each group.The morphology of the buccal fat pad in group A was observed,and its size and compression diameter through blood vessels and nerves were measured.The anatomical structures of the temporomandibular joint in group B were observed and measured.Results The volume of buccal fat pad in group A was(10.10±1.10)mL on the left side and(9.70±1.50)mL on the right side.The longitudinal axis length of buccal fat pad was(28.18±1.35)mm on the left side and(29.47±1.12)mm on the right side;Transverse axis length of buccal fat pad was(18.56±1.67)mm on the left side and(18.97±1.73)mm on the right side;There are facial artery,facial vein,maxillary artery branch,facial nerve buccal branch and so on through the buccal fat pad.In group B,the sagittal section of the temporomandibular joint disc presented S-type in 15 cases(75.0%),L-type in 3 cases(15.0%),and transitional type in 2 cases(10.0%).Anterior and posterior diameter of the articular disc was(14.42±1.94)mm on the left side and(15.34±1.37)mm on the right side;inside and outside diameter of the articular disc was(20.18±1.77)mm on the left side and(19.57±1.32)mm on the right side.Branches of maxillary artery and superficial temporal artery were respectively distributed within and outside the joint.Conclusion The pedicled buccal fat pad has a constant anatomical position,abundant blood supply,strong tissue repair,anti-infection ability and"buffer pad"function,which can reduce the formation of scar after surgery for TMJA,reduce the postoperative recurrence rate,and contribute to the recovery of joint function after surgery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil compared with losartan potassium in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

METHODThis is a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, parallel, multi-center study. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, a total of 287 eligible subjects were randomized at 1:1 ratio to receive olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg or losartan potassium 50 mg, once daily for 8 weeks. The blood pressure was assessed after 4 weeks treatment. If the subject's seating diastolic blood pressure (SeDBP) was still >or=90 mm Hg, the dosage was doubled for another 4 weeks; for those subjects whose SeDBP was <90 mm Hg after 4-week treatment, the initial dosage remained unchanged and the treatment continued until completion of the study.

RESULTS(1) The mean trough reduction in SeDBP from baseline in olmesartan group was significantly greater than that in losartan group after 4 weeks (11.72 mm Hg vs 9.23 mm Hg, P=0.004) and 8 weeks treatment (12.94 mm Hg vs 11.01 mm Hg, P=0.035). (2) The number and percentage of responders in olmesartan group (81, 65.3%) were statistically higher than those (68, 52.7%) in losartan group (P=0.028) after 4 weeks treatment and were similar between the two groups after 8 weeks treatment (P>0.05). (3) Individual and overall trough/peak ratios of DBP and SBP in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were higher in olmesartan group than losartan group. The hypotensive effect of olmesartan was more durable than losartan at 24 hour interval. (4) The incidence of study drug-related adverse events (AEs) in olmesartan group (10.5%) was similar as that in losartan group (13.9%, P>0.05). Most of these AEs were mild and transient.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows that olmesartan medoxomil, at oral dose of 20 mg-40 mg once daily was effective and safe for hypertension treatment and the hypotensive effect was superior to losartan potassium (50 mg-100 mg once daily).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; China ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Imidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Losartan ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olmesartan Medoxomil ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Jianpi Liqi Yiliu Formula (JLYF) combined with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells for treating patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSBetween January 2011 and January 2014, 60 advanced HCC patients were enrolled in this study, who were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to their willingness for taking JLYF, 30 cases in each group. All patients received CIK cell treatment: 1 x 10⁹-3 x 10⁹ each time, by intravenous dripping from the 1st day to the 3rd day, once per day. Besides, patients in the treatment group took JLYF decoction, while those in the control group took Chinese medical decoction by syndrome typing. All patients received treatment of at least two cycles. The time to progression (TTP) , overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), performance status scale (PS), Child-Pugh scale, and adverse reactions were observed, and subgroup analyzed.

RESULTSTo May 31, 2014, all patients reached the clinical endpoint. TTP was 3.5 months (95% Cl: 3.30-4.10) in the treatment group, better than that (2.5 months, 95% CI: 2.32-2.68) of the control group (P < 0.05). DCR was 36.7% in the treatment group and 30.0% in the control group (P > 0.05). OS was 5.2 months (95% CI: 4.53-5.87) in the treatment group and 4.6 months (95% CI: 4.06-5.14) in the control group (P > 0.05). The PS scale was 1.60 ± 0.10 after treatment, lower than that (1.80 ± 0.09) before treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.05). When the PS scale was 0-2 or Child-Pugh scale was class A, TTP was longer in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). No adverse reaction occurred in the two groups during the treatment course.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of JLYF with ClK cell treatment could prolong advanced HCC patients' TTP, improve PS scale, as compared with syndrome typed Chinese medical decoction treatment group. Besides, when the PS scale was 0-2 or Child-Pugh scale was class A, it was a better treatment program for advanced HCC patients.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy