Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

italic>Dendrobium moniliforme is an important source of Dendrobii Caulis and one of the main sources of authentic Fengdou. The complete chloroplast genome of D. moniliforme was sequenced using Illumina Hiseq technology and its gene map and genomic structure were analyzed. Then comparative and phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genomes of D. moniliforme and its related species were conducted. The chloroplast genome of D. moniliforme was 150 754 bp in length and had a typical quadripartite structure with a large single copy (LSC, 84 818 bp), a small single copy (SSC, 14 124 bp) and two inverted repeats (IRs, 25 906 bp each). A total of 123 chloroplast genes were annotated, including 77 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes, of which 17 genes contained introns. Bioinformatics analysis identified 53 SSR sites, most of which had A-T base preference. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the chloroplast genome sequences of 33 Dendrobium species. The results showed that Dendrobium complex species were clustered in a single large branch, indicating that they were closely related. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification of D. moniliforme and the phylogenetic relationship of D. moniliforme complex species necessary for Herbgenomics research.

As abscisic acid (ABA) receptor, the pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR/PYL) protein (named PYL for simplicity) plays an important part to unveil the signal transduction of ABA and its regulatory mechanisms. Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a drought-tolerant medicinal plant, is a good model for the mechanism analysis of ABA response and active compound biosynthesis. However, knowledge about PYL family in G. uralensis remains largely unknown. Here, 10 PYLs were identified in G. uralensis genome. Characterization analysis indicated that PYLs in G. uralensis (GuPYLs) are relatively conserved. Phylogenetic analysis showed that GuPYL1-3 belongs to subfamily I, GuPYL4-6 and GuPYL10 belong to subfamily II and GuPYL7-9 belongs to subfamily III. In addition, transcriptome data presented various expression levels of GuPYLs under different exogenous ABA stresses. The expression pattern of GuPYLs was verified by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The study proved that GuPYL4, GuPYL5, GuPYL8 and GuPYL9 genes are significantly up-regulated by ABA stress and the response process is dynamic. This study paves the way for elucidating the regulation mechanism of ABA signal to secondary metabolites and improving the cultivation and quality of G. uralensis using agricultural strategies.

Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of healthcare-associated infection(HAD,and provide evidence for prevention and control of HAI.Methods A cross-sectional survey was adopted,bedside survey and medical record reviewing method was combined to investigate and analyze the prevalence of HAI in a tertiary first-class hospital in 2012-2015.Results A total of 4 725 hospitalized patients were surveyed,the prevalence rates in 2012-2015 were 6.00％,4.77％,3.93％,and 3.05％ respectively,difference was significant(P＜0.05);antimicrobial usage rates were 30.56％,33.82％,32.84％,and 34.48％ respectively,difference was not significant (P＞0.05);the main infection site was lower respiratory tract (43.00 ％),followed by surgical site (16.43 ％);the risk factors for HAI were age ≥65 years,chronic systemic diseases(diabetes,cirrhosis,chronic renal failure,chronic lung disease),immunodeficiency(white blood cell＜1.5 × 109/L),coma,tracheotomy,and mechanical ventilation.Conclusion Survey on HAI prevalence can promote continuous improvement of HAI management,surveillance on surgical site infection and risk factors of HAI should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo investgate the effects of rapamycin(RPM)and RPM-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid(PLGA)nanoparticles(NPs)on the apoptosis of human umbilical arterial vascular smooth muscle cells(HUASMCs)in vitro and expression of bcl-2 and p27(kip1) protein.

METHODSHUASMCs were cultured in vitro and divided to RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups treated at 3 different concentration by 12 and 24 hours,with M231-smooth muscle growth supplements medium and null-PLGA-NPs treated groups as controlled. The apoptosis of HUASMCs was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling staining and flow cytometry. The expressions of bcl-2 and p27(kip1) were detected by streptacidin/peroxidase immunohistochemical method. The effect on cellular proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromidecolorimetry.

RESULTSThe proliferation of HUASMCs was inhibited by RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs in a dose-dependent manner. DNA electrophoresis showed DNA ladder in RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups and classical scalar strips in control groups. The apoptotic indexes of RPM 100 ng/ml group and RPM-PLGA-NPs 500 ng/ml group detected by flow cytometry were(45.45<2.36)% and(35.04<5.64)%,respectively,which were significantly higher than that of M231-smooth muscle growth supplements control group [(2.60<0.95)%,all P<0.01]. The apoptotic indexes of groups incubated with RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs for 24 hours were significantly higher than those of groups which incubated for 12 hours(P<0.05,P<0.01). The positive expression indexes(PEI)of p27(kip1) and bcl-2 protein were higher in RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups than that of control groups. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test showed that there was no significant correlation between the PEI of p27(kip1) and the apoptotic indexes in the RPM group and RPM-PLGA-NPs group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRapamycin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and rapamycin have similar effects in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis;meanwhile,they upregulate the expression of p27(kip1) protein without downregulating the expression of bcl-2 protein in HUASMCs in vitro. RPM-PLGA-NPs has more potent pro-apoptotic effect than equivalent dose of RPM but is not linearly correlated with the p27(kip1) expression level.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lactic Acid ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Nanoparticles ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Sirolimus ; Umbilical Arteries

BACKGROUNDIron is a biocorrodible metal that might be used in bioabsorbable stents. This study investigated the effects at the cellular and protein levels of soluble divalent iron (ferrous gluconate) and soluble trivalent iron (ferric chloride) on the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) in vitro.

METHODSThe water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) test was used to evaluate the effect of iron on proliferation of HASMC and Western blotting was used to measure the levels of signaling proteins involved in proliferative and apoptosis pathways.

RESULTSHASMC proliferation was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner after treatment with soluble divalent and trivalent iron at concentrations of 100-500 µmol/L. Western blotting analysis showed that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression following treatment with soluble divalent iron and trivalent iron at 100, 300 and 500 µmol/L was reduced compared to the control. The PCNA expression decreased with increasing iron concentration and to a greater extent with the trivalent iron than with the divalent iron treatment group. The p53 expression was markedly increased in a concentration dependent manner in both iron treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONThe soluble divalent iron and, to a greater degree trivalent iron, inhibited HASMC proliferation in a dosedependent manner, which may be attributed to reduction of PCNA expression and increase of p53 expression.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Iron ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; chemistry ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo select the optimal culture media for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.

METHODSThree different culture media (RPMI-1640, AIM-V, and OpTmizer, with or without autologous serum) were used to culture gamma delta T cells. The survival rate, purity, proliferation efficiency, and biological functions of the expanded gamma delta T cells were examined and compared.

RESULTSThe survival rate of gamma delta T cells expanded in RPMI-1640 decreased over culture time. The purities of gamma delta T cells cultured in AIM-V or OpTmizer with or without serum were higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640. After two weeks of culture in the absence of serum, the purity and proliferation efficiency of gamma delta T cells cultured in OpTmizer were significantly higher than those cultured in RPMI-1640 (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05). gamma delta T cells in different culture media had similar CD107a expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production (P > 0.05). However, cells expanded in RPMI-1640 exhibited significantly weaker cytotoxicity against Daudi lymphoma cells than those expanded in OpTmizer (P < 0.05) and AIM-V (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDue to low serum-dependence, high proliferation efficiency, and favorable biology function of expanded cells, OpTmizer is the most suitable medium for the mass production of gamma delta T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sweat Glands

OBJECTIVETo explore the mental health status of residents scattered living in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to provide scientific basis for further mental health intervention.

METHODSA face to face interview was conducted among the scattered residents with designed questionnaire, which had three parts of the physical and emotional reaction, the relax methods and the social care and supports expected. Two-stage probability proportional to size (PPS) sample method was performed to sample 2184 from 0.44 million scattered residents in Anxian. On the basis of statistical description, mental health of different characteristics groups was compared.

RESULTSThree main symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorders in 2184 residents (11.23+/-3.44) were higher than the 103 fire victims in Hunan in 2003 (10.06+/-3.26), three factor scores of SCL-90 (5.76+/-1.74) were higher than normal in 1998 repair mode (n=23 891) (4.72+/-1.44), and the statistical difference was observed (t=10.77, P<0.05; t=706.04, P<0.05). Comparing the mental health of different groups, some significant differences were found by age, gender and education background.

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake disaster brought prevalent physical and emotional reaction. Elderly people, female, junior students need mental intervention immediately. Therefore, strengthen the mental education and assistance (especially in high risk groups) would be of more significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Sampling Studies ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the public health situation and needs in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to make an effective strategy for disease control and prevention.

METHODS69 concentrated settlements with 100 residents were investigated. Probability proportion to size was adopted for sampling of 2200 residents from 687 scattered households (about 440 000 scattered residents). The content of this survey included drinking water, food hygiene, environment sanitation, planning immunity and medical health service, disease surveillance and so on. SPSS 16.0 was used for data analysis, and statistical interpretation was used to describe the results.

RESULTS90.9% (31/66) resettled residents in Anxian lived in tents, 7.6% (5/66) lived in the movable-plate house, 93.3% (621/666) scattered households lived in tents and 71.9% (446/621) of them lived in tents which were built by residents themselves; the rate of drinking water disinfection in resettlement sites and scattered households were 97.1% (66/68) and 94.6% (650/687); 12.8% scattered residents had mouldy or food; 50% of resettlement sites raised animals; 43.6% (17/39) medical station didn't have bacterin inoculation service; 66.7% (10/15) lacked sufficient disinfection equipment; register rate was 50.0% (33/66) and report rate of symptoms and infectious diseases was 56.1% (37/66).

CONCLUSIONThere was still some risk of enteric and vector-borne diseases in Anxian, therefore, some tailored measures should be very important.

Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Environmental Monitoring ; Health Care Surveys ; Health Services ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Water Supply