Objective:To express and purify the TRIM5? chimaera[TRIM5? H(R328-332)] protein and to explore the interaction between the TRIM5? H(R328-332)and HIV-1gag. Methods:The plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was transformed to E.coli BL21 (DE3) strain ,and the expression of TRIM5? H(R328-332) protein was induced by IPTG,purified with Ni2+ chromatography.The expression and purification of TRIM5? H(R328-332) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot,and the interaction between TRIM5? H(R328-332) and HIV-1gag was detected by co-immunoprecipitation,His pull-down and ELISA. Results:The recombinant plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was successfully expressed in E.coli. The results showed that the purified full length TRIM5? H(R328-332) interacted with HIV-1gag protein. Conclusion:The human TRIM5? chimaera was expressed successfully in vitro,and the study demonstrates that the human TRIM5? chimaera interacts with HIV-1 gag in vitro.

Objective To investigate the effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH- a) and antagonist (GnRH-ant) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian damage in rats.Methods Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided randomly into six groups,which received normal saline (NS),CTX,GnRH-a+NS,GnRH-a+CTX,GnRH-ant+NS,and GnRH-ant+CTX respectively.Levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E_2) were measured successively by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method,and half of the rats were killed in the first week and between the fourth and the fifth week after stop of medication,respectively to compare the weight of the ovaries and the number of the primordial follicles and the growth follicles.Results (1) Throughout experiment,the serum levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the control group fluctuated slightly,while those in the CTX group kept rising.During medication treatment,compared with the control group[(118?16) ?g/L, (350?35) ?g/L] and the CTX group[(113?15) ?g/L,(289?42) ?g/L],the concentrations of LH [(42 ?8)-(47?7) ?g/L,(31?5)-(36?7) ?g/L] and FSH [(124?45)-(136?32)?g/L,(178 ?54)-(198+27)?g/L] in the GnRH-a groups and the GnRH-ant groups were maintained at low levels significantly and the levels of LH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly lower than that in the GnRH-a groups,but the levels of FSH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly higher than that in the GnRH-a groups(P0.05),but the levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the GnRH-ant+CTX group rose obviously and were similar to the levels of the CTX group,especially the FSH,and the levels of LH and FSH of the GnRH- ant + CTX group [(156?12) ?g/L,(520?44) ?g/L] and the CTX group [(178?18) ?g/L,(546?36) ?g/L] were significantly higher than that of the other four groups [(121?15)-(132?13) ?g/L,(335 ?35)-(359?26) ?g/L] at the 4~(th)-5~(th) week after stop of treatment(P0.05),but the number of all kinds of follicles declined significantly in the GnRH-ant+CTX group[(195?15),(36?12)] and the CTX group [(212?11),(36?9)] compared to the other four groups[(302?15)-(690?43),(44?12)-(58?11),P

The present study aimed to investigate the neuro-cognitive features in the processing of vocabularies of date in Chinese, using block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Nineteen normal right-handed volunteers whose native language was Chinese performed judgments of vocabulary of month (JVM), the orientation of digit (JOD) and the meaning of words (JMW) respectively, while the fMRI data were recorded by Signa HDe 1.5T MR machine. All design of three tasks was adapted from previous studies with slight modification. The JOD and JWM were investigated as contrast conditions. JVM asked the subjects to determine whether the month belonged to the first half of the year. JOD was to tell whether the third digit had the same orientation (upright orientation or italic orientation) as the first two, and JMW was to determine whether the two-Chinese-character word was animate. The subjects responded according to the task instruction with a button pressing. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM2) was employed to process data and localize functional areas. We compared the average activation intensity of each activated brain regions in the same task against the rest and the activation intensity of the same regions in different tasks respectively. The activations in inferior parietal (BA40) and inferior occipital (BA18/19) were found in the JVM and JOD. The same areas in middle frontal (BA6), fusiform (BA18), posterior in right cerebellum areas were activated during the JVM and JMW. When the activation of the JMW was subtracted from the JVM, many areas concerning numerical processing, such as left anterior cingulate (BA32), post central (BA2), and the right superior temporal (BA39), superior parietal (BA7), as well as the inferior parietal (BA40), precuneus (BA7/19) of the bilateral hemispheres, were significantly activated. When the activation of the JOD was subtracted from the JVM, the left inferior occipital and the fusiform (BA18) of the bilateral hemispheres, which were also involved in the linguistic processing according to previous studies, were significantly activated. The above results prove that the processing of vocabulary of months in Chinese involves not only linguistic processing but also numerical processing; and these results further indicate that Chinese people might gain access to the cognitive experience of number during the process of acquisition of native language.
Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Brain Mapping ; China ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Vocabulary

The usage of pesticides can enhance the production of crops,but their overuses may be hazardous to both people health and the environment.Thus,it is of great significance to develop effective methods to detect pesticides.Metal nanoclusters(MNCs)have become increasingly popular in analytical sensing areas because of their miniscule size,high stability,ease of manufacturing and good biocompatibility.They have exhibited great potential in the field of pesticides detection.In this paper,the detection methods of pesticides by using MNCs and their development in detection of organophosphorus pesticides,organic nitrogen pesticides,organochlorine pesticides and other types of pesticides were reviewed.Finally,the development prospects were discussed.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEHypopharyngeal carcinoma has a high risk for early regional lymphatic dissemination. However, reports about regional lymph node metastases, especially retropharyngeal lymph node metastases, are rare. This research explored the spread of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially metastases of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes by studying computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images.

METHODSThe CT/MRI images of 88 patients with pathologically confirmed hypopharyngeal carcinomas that were performed at our hospital between August 2000 and March 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The interrelations among local stage and lymph nodes in various regions were analyzed by Chi2 test and multivariate logistical regression.

RESULTSThe rate of regional lymph node metastasis for all patients was 73.9%, and the highest rates of positive lymph nodes were at levels IIa (61.4%), IIb (44.3%), and III (37.5%). Metastases to levels I, IV, V, and VI were rare, as were retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases, which were always combined with metastases at levels II and III. Univariate analysis showed that level-IV metastases correlated to metastases at levels Ib and III; retropharyngeal lymph node metastases were correlated to level IIb and bilateral cervical lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that level-VI metastases correlated to level IV and that retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases correlated to bilateral cervical lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSIONSRegional lymph node metastases in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma follow some regulations, and skip metastasis is rare. The highest rates of positive lymph nodes are at levels II and III. Bilateral lymph node metastases may be a risk factor for retropharyngeal lymph node metastases.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma in Situ ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pharynx ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity.

METHODSThe birth and growth data of 258 children of 6 to 7 years old in Guangzhou were collected from Jun.2009 to Feb. 2010. Physical and laboratory examination were preformed, which included body weight, body height and body fat composition index (body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist circumference to height ratio (WtHR), etc). Fasting blood glucose and insulin were measured. The homeostasis model assessment model for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. According to birth weight, the children were divided into three groups from light to heavy: BW-I, BW-II, BW-III group. Then according to change in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months, the children were divided into three groups: changers up (CU), non-changers (NC), changers down (CD) group. The effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity were analyzed.

RESULTSChange in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months was higher in BW-I group (1.06 ± 1.29) than in the BW-II group (-0.19 ± 0.94) and BW-III group (-0.10 ± 1.20) (all P values < 0.01). Birth weight of the CU group ((2.90 ± 0.47) kg) was lower than that of the NC group ((3.22 ± 0.34) kg) and the CD group ((3.57 ± 0.37) kg) (all P values < 0.01). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III group ((16.35 ± 2.13) kg/m(2), (17.03 ± 5.88)%, (0.479 ± 0.033)) than in the BW-I group ((15.46 ± 2.06) kg/m(2), (14.06 ± 5.25)%, (0.459 ± 0.032)) and BW-II group ((15.47 ± 1.58) kg/m(2), (14.09 ± 5.01)%, (0.460 ± 0.025)) (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I group and the BW-II group (P > 0.05). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the CU group ((16.44 ± 2.20) kg/m(2), (16.51 ± 5.78)%, (0.473 ± 0.034)) than in the NC group ((15.62 ± 1.74) kg/m(2), (14.49 ± 5.30)%, (0.463 ± 0.030)) and the CD group ((15.26 ± 1.85) kg/m(2), (14.24 ± 5.54)%, (0.462 ± 0.031)) (all P values < 0.05). In the CU group, BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III-CU group ((18.76 ± 2.56) kg/m(2), (22.19 ± 8.28)%, (0.512 ± 0.029)) than in the BW-I-CU group ((16.04 ± 2.14) kg/m(2), (15.54 ± 5.28)%, (0.467 ± 0.034)) and BW-II-CU group ((16.70 ± 1.36) kg/m(2), (17.12 ± 4.44)%, (0.474 ± 0.017)) (all P values < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU group and the BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05). HOMA-IR was higher in the CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) than in the NC group (1.08 ± 0.31) and the CD group (1.00 ± 0.36) (all P values < 0.01). In the CU group, HOMA-IR was higher in the BW-III-CU group (1.69 ± 0.48) than in the BW-I-CU group (1.21 ± 0.41) and the BW-II-CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) (all P values < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU and BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAccording to birth weight tertile, both lower birth weight individuals with more weight change-up growth postnatal early and higher birth weight individuals had greater body fat composition in childhood. They were high-risk people of insulin resistance.

Birth Weight ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect and adverse effects of two regimens, namely cisplatin and docetaxel (DC) regimen and fluorouracil (PF) regimen, both with concurrent radiotherapy, in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cancer.

METHODSForty-eight patients with esophageal squamous cancer were randomly assigned in DC regimen and PF regimen groups. All the patients received conventional radiotherapy at a total dose of 60 Gy (in 30 fractions) for 6 weeks. In DC regimen group, the patients received intravenous infusion of docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) for 1 h on day 1 and DDP (25 mg/m(2) daily) on days 1-3, with every 28 days as one cycle. PF regimen consisted of cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) on days 1-3 and continuous intravenous infusion of fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)) for 5 days, with every 28 days as one cycle. All the patients were suggested to have no less than 2 cycles.

RESULTSThe 3-year median survival time in DC regimen was slightly longer than that in PF regimen group (26 vs 23 months, Χ2=3.4041, P=0.065). The same result was also found in the short-term effect and adverse reactions including ?myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions. Only the adverse reaction of radiotherapy-induced esophagitis showed a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.049).

CONCLUSIONDC regimen with synchronous radiotherapy is effective and safe for treating advanced esophageal squamous cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Protocols ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic aberrations of ocular extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type occurring in patients from southern China.

METHODSFifty seven paraffin-embedded ocular MALT lymphoma specimens from patients in southern China were studied by interphase fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) for genetic aberrations including t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, t(1;14)(p22;q32)/IgH-bcl-10, t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 and bcl-6/FOXP1 gene translocations.

RESULTSAmongst the 57 cases studied, 9 cases (15.8%) showed chromosome translocations, including 4 cases (7.0%) of t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of bcl-6 gene-related chromosome translocation and 3 cases (5.3%) of IgH-unknown translocation partner. FISH revealed 17 cases (29.8%) with 3 copies of bcl-6 gene, 21 cases (36.8%) with 3 copies of MALT1 gene and 12 cases (21.1%) with 3 copies of both genes.

CONCLUSIONSThe MALT lymphoma-associated chromosome translocations t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1 and t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 are demonstrated in ocular MALT lymphomas of southern Chinese patients. The prevalence is significantly different from that reported in northern Chinese and northern American patients, indicating a geographic heterogeneity in the MALT lymphoma-associated genetic aberrations. The presence of 3 copies of bcl-6 and MALT1 genes is the commonest genetic abnormalities observed in ocular MALT lymphomas, suggesting a possible role in MALT lymphomagenesis.

Caspases ; genetics ; metabolism ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, capecitabine and cisplatin (TXP) in the treatment of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSThis retrospective analysis involved 22 patients with metastatic NPC receiving treatment with the TXP regimen. The patients were given docetaxel at 60 mg/m² on day 1, cisplatin at 20 mg/m² on days 1-3, and capecitabine at 1 250 mg/m² on days 1-14, and the treatment cycle was repeated ever 3 weeks.

RESULTSOf the 22 patients, 14 (63%) achieved partial remission, 2 (9%) had complete remission, and 5 (23%) showed stable disease. The overall clinical response rate of the patients was 72% with a 1-year survival rate of 68%, median progression-free survival of 8 months, and overall survival of 14 months. The main toxicity was myelosuppression; 7 (32%) patients experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia, and 5 (23%) had grade 3/4 anemia. All the other adverse effects were tolerable and reversible.

CONCLUSIONThe TXP regimen is safe and effective for treatment of metastatic NPC, and the results are comparable with those of the reports in recent literatures.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Capecitabine ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage

Objective To lay the foundation for the successive research on diabetes mellitus (DM) management system and provide support for the general doctors at grass root level to make decisions by developing DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database for semantic inference, reuse of DM knowledge, revealing and sharing potential DM knowledge. Methods The DM ontology was established on the Stanford University Protégé Platform according to the 7-step method and skeletal method by extracting the concepts of DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database, and their relationship from domestic DM-related clinical guidelines and knowledge of DM experts. The SWRL diagnosis and treatment rules were then composed and the semantic inference was realized using the JESS inference engine. Results The developed DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database included 233 concepts, 205 examples, 16 relationships between examples, 18 data value properties, 28 SWRL rules, which could thus realize the semantic inference. Conclusion The developed DM ontology can realize semantic inference and is thus beneficial for the application of ontology technology in diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease.