Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the common techniques in molecular biology, which can amplify nucleic acids through the cycle of denaturation, annealing and extension. Based on the principle of common PCR, rapid PCR is to realize the amplification of nucleic acids in less time without affecting the specificity, sensitivity and fidelity of the reaction. A lot of research work in this field has been going on in recent years. This article will make a review of the development of rapid PCR with emphases on the improvement of DNA polymerase, the choice of additives and the improvement of thermocyclers.

AIM: Recent studies showed that stem cells could replace injured cardiomyocyte and increase the number of functional cardiomyocytes. Researching the pertinent literature in China Journal Full-text Database (CJFD) published between 2005 and 2008 indicated that the researches on stem cell transplantation in the treatment of primary dilated cardiomyopathy were few. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and security of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in coronary artery in treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy and its effects on left ventricular function. METHODS: Forty-two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy between December 2006 and September 2007 were enrolled at the Department of Cardiology of First People's Hospital of Yunnan, including twenty-eight males and fourteen females, averagely aged (56?3) years. Inclusive criteria: patients with less than 65 years, left ventricular enlargement, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 45%, and without coronary artery disease after coronary arteriongraphy. Informed consents were obtained from patients. Patients were divided into stem cell transplantation group (n=15) and control group (n=27) on the basis of whether being treated by stem cell transplantation. Patients in the stem cell transplantation group were consecutively administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) by hypodermic injection to stimulate bone marrow stem cells themselves based on conventional treatment for five days. Peripheral blood stem cell suspension was disassociated on the 6th day, and the collected suspension was injected into left anterior descending branch over the wire saccule tube for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Patients in the control group were administered by conventional treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. Security and adverse reaction were observed during the mobilization, collection and returning injection of peripheral blood stem cell by coronary artery. Morphous, cardiac function and motion index of left ventricle wall were evaluated using ultrasoundcardiogram before and 3 months after transplantation. Survival rate and incidence rate of heart incidents were compared. RESULTS: Three months after stem cell transplantation in coronary artery, there were a significant decrease in cardiac end-systolic volume (ESV), cardiac end-diastolic volume (EDV) and motion index of left ventricle wall, but a significant increase in LVEF(P

Objective To investigate regional systolic function in left ventricle(LV) and postsystolic shortening(PSS) in patients with essential hypertension with different remodeling patterns of LV by strain and strain rate imaging. Methods According to the level of LV mass index and relative wall thickness, forty patients with hypertension were divided into LV normal geometry(LVN) group and LV remodeling(LVR) group, with thirty healthy subjects as control. The strain and strain rate were compared among the basal,middle and apex segments. Results Compared with control, systolic peak strain and strain rate in both groups of LVN and LVR were decreased significantly(P<0.05). Prevalence of PSS in LVR group (55%) was higher than that in LVN group(39%) and control(22%) with significant differences(P<0.01).Conclusions High prevalence of pathologic PSS in patients with hypertension could implied that unbalance of segmental motion in regional myocardial ischemia. However,presence of PSS in healthy subjects might be the result of synchronization and balance of normal myocardium under physical condition.

Successful pain management of perioperative shoulder arthroscopy may allow patients to go home earlier, improve the quality of life in perioperative period, and facilitate rehabilitation. A comprehensive method to perioperative pain control has three stages including preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phase. Successful pain reduction should begin preoperatively because of an excellent communication between patient and physician, moreover, preoperative analgesia also should be administered. Intraoperative efforts should include local wound infiltration and the administration of anesthetic medication intra-articularly. Postoperative management should include oral analgesics, constant infusion devices, Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), sedative-hypnotic drug, continuous cryotherapy and vicarious treatment.
Acupuncture Analgesia ; Analgesia ; methods ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Perioperative Period ; Shoulder Joint ; surgery ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

AIM: To research how to separate the active component in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort by high speed counter current chromatography. METHODS: Senkyunolide A and Z-ligustilide,the main components of volatile oil in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort were one step separated by high speed counter current chromatography. n-hexane-ethyl acetate-ethanol-water,1 ∶ 1 ∶ 1 ∶ 1(v/v),was used as the solvent system for HSCCC. Top phase and bottom phase were respectively used as static phase and mobile phase. Optimum speed and flow rate were 900 r/min and 1. 2 mL/min respectively. RESULTS: Collected fractions were analyzed by HPLC and identified by EI-MS and 1HNMR. Purity could reach more than 95% . CONCLUSION: Lactone is fit to be separated and prepared by high speed counter current chromatography with good resolution and high purity. We find a fast and efficient way to separate these.

BACKGROUND:In 2004, a new biomarker sCD14-subtypes (presepsin) was found and its value was shown in the diagnosis and evaluation of sepsis. This article is a brief overview of the new biomarker. DATA SOURCES:A literature search using multiple databases was performed for articles, especially meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials. RESULTS:Compared with other markers, presepsin seems to have a better sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of sepsis. Presepsin as a biom1arker is not only suitable for the early diagnosis of sepsis, but also for the assessment of its severity and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS:Presepsin has a higher sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of sepsis as a new biomarker, and is a predictor for the prognosis of sepsis. More importantly, preseptin seems to play a crucial role as a supplemental method in the early diagnosis of sepsis. Since there is no multicenter study on the relationship between presepsin and sepsis, further studies on the clinical values of presepsin are needed.

A secretive expression vector of Pichia pastoris system which can be used for the direct cloning of PCR products was constructed,and was verified through the expression of recombinant cellobiohydrolase II in Pichia pastoris.A randomly selected fragment was amplified with properly designed primers by PCR.The XhoI and Eam1105Ⅰ restriction sites were included in the 5'end of the fragment,and the Eam1105Ⅰ and XbaI restriction sites were included in its 3'end.The PCR amplified product was inserted into the P.pastoris expression plasmid pPICZ?A through XhoI and XbaI restriction sites and the resultant plasmid was digested with Eam1105Ⅰ,and lastly the big fragment was recovered,generating the P.pastoris expressive Tvector pPICZ?T.Then the cellobiohydrolase II of T.reesei was successfully expressed in P.pastoris with this expressive Tvector.Such results indicated that the constructed expression Tvector was convenient for PCR product cloning,and was effective for heterologous protein expression in P.pastoris.On the other hand,the application of the expression Tvector avoided the introduction of additional amino acids at the Nterminus of the expressed protein,which generally occurred when normal expression vectors were used in secretive expression system.

BACKGROUND: Properties of cancellous bone is significant for metabolic diseases, fracture and joint retrograde diseases.OBJECTIVE: To study the biomechanical properties of cancellous bone.DESIGN: Experimental observation based on femur specimens as the single sample.SETTING: Laboratory of Orthopaedic Biomechanics Ninth Affiliated Hospital Shanghai Second Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: The study was completed in the Laboratory of Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from May to July in 2001,totally 19 male cadaveric femoral heads were selected.METHODS: Totally 19 cadeveric cancellouce bone specimens(about 30years old) from the bearing area of fresh femur head were tested by compression test.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Yield load limiting stress, limiting strain, energy value and elastic modulus of specimens.RESULTS: The compressive data of cancellous bone were measured, the average value of yield load was (410.64 ± 190.29) N , limiting stress was (8.69 ± 3.75) MPa, limiting strain was (10. 84 ±6.58)%, energy value was (2.54 ± 1.89)J, modulus of elasticity was (40.77 ± 32. 12)MPa, At the early time of loading, the cancellous bone showed elastic deformation, then CONCLUSION: The trial indicates that biomechanical properties lighten the pressure of external compression.

Objective To investigate the reason of persisting positive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) in serofast syphilis patients, and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prognosis.Methods A total of 33 serofast patients and 23 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.The percentages and absolute counts of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were detected by flow cytometry.The comparison of two groups was analyzed by independent sample t test, and the correlation between change of lymphocyte subgroups and RPR titer in serofast syphilis patients was analyzed by bivariate linear correlation method.Results Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of CD3+, CD8+ T lymphocytes in serofast syphilis group were both increased significantly (75.75±5.76)% vs (68.37±5.80)%, (t=4.69, P<0.01);(27.34±7.02)% vs (24.33±1.95)%, (t=2.34, P=0.025), while both the percentage and absolute count of NK cells were significantly decreased (7.32±4.48)% vs (14.87±6.26)%, (t=5.269, P<0.01);(136.2±83.4)/μL vs (298.8±166.9)/μL, (t=4.311, P<0.01).RPR titer of the patients was negatively correlated with both percentage and absolute count of CD4+ T lymphocytes (r=-0.476 and-0.515, respectively, both P<0.01), and it was positively correlated of CD8+ lymphocytes (r=0.588 and 0.305, P<0.01 and P=0.804).Conclusion The imbalance of immune response of lymphocyte subsets observed in serofast syphilis may explain the RPR titers change.

The chemical constituents isolated from Desmodium species (Leguminosae) included terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids compounds. Modem pharmacological studies have showed that the Desmodium species have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, analgesic and choleretic activity. This article mainly has reviewed the research advances of chemical constituents and biological activities of Desmodium species since 2003.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Humans