[Objective] To establish a method for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for injection. [Methods] By adding the sample and factor Ⅶ deficient plasma to the sample cup and activating the reaction with prothrombin time assay reagent (PT reagent), the coagulation time of the sample was determined by the change in magnetic bead swing amplitude in the sample cup. The logarithm of coagulation time was inversely proportional to the logarithm of human factor Ⅶa potency. [Results] Under the experimental conditions, the specificity of the methodology was evaluated through spiked recovery, and the recovery rates ranged from 90.0% to 110.0%. Within the range from 0.125 to 1.000 IU/mL, there was a good linear response between the potency and coagulation time of the standard and sample, with correlation coefficients r>0.99. As for the accuracy and repeatability, the recovery rates of various concentrations detected in the stock solution were 101.0%, 100.0% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 2.6%, 4.0% and 0.0%, respectively. The recovery rates of various concentrations in finished product testing were 104.0%, 94.7% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 1.9%, 2.4% and 0.0%, respectively. As for the intermediate precision, the RSD were 4.5% and 3.7%, respectively. After treated with sample diluent, the sample was tested at room temperature for 6 hours and still exhibited relatively stable biological activity. [Conclusion] This detection method is accurate, stable, easy to operate and highly automated, and is suitable for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for Injection.

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the semen quality of the HIV/AIDS male patients after treated by the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and their potential of transmitting HIV/AIDS and provide some evidence for this cohort of males who wish for parenthood.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 20 HIV/AIDS male patients who had been treated by HAART for over 6 months and wished for parenthood. We examined sperm concentration, viability and total motility and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (MNS) using the computer-assisted semen analysis system, measured the HIV-1 RNA loads in the semen by the Cobas Amplicor Monitor test, and counted CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe patients were aged 25－40 (30.7 ± 5.05) years. After treated by HAART for 6－26 (14.24 ± 12.26) months, the count of blood CD4+ T cells was significantly increased (341－1 058 ［535.76 ± 212.021］ /μl) in comparison with the baseline (226－965 ［422.38 ± 200.86］ /μl). Compared with the normal value, the semen volume was increased except in 1 case (≥2 ml) while total sperm motility was decreased in 13 cases (≥40%), and so were sperm concentration in 2 cases (≥15 × 106 / ml), sperm viability in 5 (58%), the percentage of progressively motile sperm in 18 (≥32%), and the percentage of MNS in 6 (≤4%). HIV-1 RNA in the peripheral blood was <20 copies/mL in all the cases and that in the seminal plasma was also <20 copies/ml in 18 cases but >20 copies/mL in the other 2 (［4.70 × 101］ and ［2.2 × 102］ copies/ml, respectively). Of the 4 couples that had sex without protective measures for over 6 months, all the 4 female partners exhibited negative HIV antibodies in regular follow-up examinations and 1 achieved spontaneous pregnancy and healthy birth, with negative HIV-1 RNA in both the mother and the baby.

CONCLUSIONSThe HIV RNA level is higher in the semen than in the blood of the HIV/AIDS male patients after HAART, which indicates the potential risk of their semen transmitting HIV/AIDS to their female partners. Their sperm concentration and total sperm motility are lower than the normal value, which suggests a decreased fertility.

Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the effect of allogeneic transfusion and preoperative autologous blood donation on perioperative cellular immunity and humoral immunity in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms.Methods Sixty gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery,33 males and 27 females,aged 53 69 years,weighing 47-70 kg,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were included in this study.Blood transfusion was started when the blood loss was more than 200～400 ml,Hb＜70 g/L,and the patients were randomly divided into the preoperative autologous blood donation group (group P,n =30):intraoperative blood transfusion using the stored autologous blood transfusion;allogeneic blood transfusion group (group A,n =30):allogeneic blood transfusion.The levels of T lymphocyte subsets,NK cells and IL-2,IL-10,TNF-α,perforin (PF) concentration and plasma immunoglobulin IgG,IgA and IgM levels.Results The percentage of CD3+,CD4+,NK cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in group A at the end of surgery to 7 d after operation were significantly lower than those at the time of admission (P＜0.05).The percentage of CD3+,CD4+ (P＜ 0.05).The level of IL-2 in group A was significantly lower than that in group P (P＜0.05) 1-7 d after operation,and the level of IL-10 in group A was significantly higher than that in group P (P＜ 0.05).The levels of IgG and IgA 3 d after operation in group A were significantly lower than those in group P (P＜0.05).The levels of IgG and IgA in group P were significantly decreased at the end of operation and recovered to preoperative levels 1-3 d after operation (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Allogeneic blood transfusion can reduce the percentage of T-cell subsets and NK cells in cancer patients and delay their recovery,and also can transiently reduce the content of immunoglobulin IgG and IgA in plasma and thus affect the immune function of patients.However,the preoperative autologous blood donation has a slight effect on postoperative immune function in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of saponins prepared from Plena Clematis (PC) cultured in Fujian Province, China on 4 human tumor cell lines and its possible anti-tumor mechanism. METHODS: The growth inhibition assays of saponins on human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line (EC9706), human hepatoma cell line (HepG-2), human oral cancer cell line (KB) and human gastric cancer cell line (BGC-823) were evaluated in vitro by thiazolyl blue (MTT) method. The inhibitory effects on EC9706 treated with different concentrations of saponins (15.62, 31.25, 62.50, 125, 250 and 500 μg/mL) were performed in vitro by MTT method. The morphology and nuclear staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide of EC9706 cells treated with saponins were illustrated under an inverted phase fluorescence microscope. The apoptotic effects of saponins were further evaluated by annexin-V/propidium iodide dual staining experiment to examine the occurrence of phosphatidylserine externalization onto the cell surface by a flflow cytometer. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that the saponins could inhibit the proliferation of 4 tumor cell lines. Among them, the maximum inhibition rate of 73.1% was detected in EC9706 cells at the saponins concentration of 250 μg/mL for 24 h. Further investigation indicated that the saponins induced EC9706 cells apoposis. The EC9706 cells presented apoptotic characteristics when treated with saponins, including that the morphologies of EC9706 cells were appeared round-shaped with higher refraction, and the cell nuclear stained orange with EB after 250 μg/mL saponins exposure. The flow cytometry analysis results showed that the induction of cell cycle arrest in apoptotic system may participate in the anti-proliferative activity of saponins on EC9706 cells. CONCLUSION The saponins from PC exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human EC9706, KB, BGC-823, and HepG-2 cells and might be beneficial to development of ethnic pharmaceutical plant for potential anti-tumor drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Clematis ; chemistry ; Humans ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Objective To compare the effect of storage autologous blood component transfusion versus storage autologous whole blood transfusion on the cellular immune function and hemorheology in the patients undergoing spinal surgery.Methods Forty patients of both sexes,aged 32-60 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,undergoing elective multilevel spinal surgery,were divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:stored autologous whole blood transfusion group (group A) and stored autologous blood component transfusion group (group B).Before blood sampling (T0),immediately after blood sampling (T1) and at the end of surgery (T2),arterial blood samples were collected for determination of red blood cell count (RBC),hemoglobin (Hb),hematocrit (Hct),erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI) and erythrocyte rigidity index (ERI).Venous blood samples were collected at T0,T2 and on day 6 after surgery (T3),the distribution of T lymphocyte subsets (percentage of CD3+,CD4+ and NK cells) was measured,and CD4+/CD8+ ratio was calculated.Results Compared with the baseline at T0,the percentage of CD3+,CD4+ and NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly decreased at T2,3 in group A and at T2 in group B,and RBC,Hb and Hct were significantly decreased at T1,and EAI and ERI were decreased at T1,2 in two groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group A,the percentage of CD3+,CD4+ and NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly increased at T3 (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in RBC,Hb,Hct,EAI or ERI at each time point in group B (P＞0.05).Conclusion The effect of storage autologous blood component transfusion on cellular immune function is mitigated than that of storage autologous blood transfusion and the effects on hemorheology are comparable in the patients undergoing spinal surgery.

OBJECTIVETo observe blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading, as well as their correlation in Wilson's disease (WD) patients with different Chinese medical syndrome types.

METHODSTotally 906 WD patients in line with inclusive criteria were assigned to 6 groups, i.e., the heart spirit confused by phlegm group (HSCP, 26 cases), the phlegm-fire disturbing heart group (PFDH, 90 cases), the retention of damp-heat group (RDH, 113 cases), deficiency of qi and blood group (DQB, 168 cases), the deficiency of Gan-yin and Shen-yin group (DGYSY, 327 cases), the deficiency of Gan and Shen group (DGS, 182 cases) due to different Chinese medical syndrome types. Recruited were another 160 healthy subjects having similar ages and diet structures, who came for medical examinations, as the healthy control group. Venous blood was collected from the medial cubital vein of each-patient on an empty stomach in early mornings to detect blood uric acid levels. Results Blood uric acid levels were lower in each syndrome type group than in the healthy control group (146.08 +/- 67.24 micromol/L in the HSCP group; 157.08 +/- 69.77 micromol/L in the PFDH group; 162.58 +/- 97.72 micromol/L in the RDH group; 156.20 +/- 62.63 micromol/L in the DQB group; 161.83 +/- 111.23 micromol/L in the DGYSY group; 194.41 +/- 90.01 micromol/L in the DGS group; 242.39 +/- 87.55 micromol/L in the healthy control group, P < 0.01). Blood uric acid levels were higher in the DGYSY group than in the other 5 syndrome groups (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses between Goldstein grading and blood uric acid showed that, along with increased Goldstein grade (that was aggravating disease conditions), WD patients' blood uric acid levels decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWD patient's blood uric acid levels decreased more. Blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading were different in various Chinese medical syndrome types. Blood uric acid levels had certain value in assessing the severity of WD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Heart ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; blood ; classification ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Uric Acid ; blood

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and role of 14-3-3ζ in the AML cell lines: sensitive HL-60 and drug-resistant HL-60/VCR cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were respectively used to examine the expression of mdr1 mRNA and Pgp in AML cell lines to validate the results of microarray. Western blot was performed to investigate the expression of Pgp, 14-3-3ζ, and anti-apoptosis protein BCL-2, MCL-1 proteins. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the subcellular location of 14-3-3ζ protein in HL-60 and HL-60/VCR cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Transduction with siRNA was used to silence 14-3-3ζ in AML cell lines. Cell count method and flow cytometry of cell cycle were used to analyze the changes of growth of AML cells. The results found that mdr1 mRNA and Pgp did not expressed in HL-60 cells, but significantly overexpressed in HL-60/VCR cells. Except 14-3-3σ, the expression of other subtypes of 14-3-3 was higher in HL-60/VCR cells than that in HL-60 cells, especially 14-3-3ζ. The higher expression of 14-3-3ζ, BCL-2, MCL-1 protein was observed in HL-60/VCR cells than that in HL-60 cells. These results were same results from gene chip. It was also noticed that 14-3-3ζ was located in the cytoplasma and nuclei of AML cell lines, especially over-expressed in HL-60/VCR cells. Furthermore, suppression of 14-3-3ζ by RNA interference resulted in inhibition of the proliferation of AML cells with decreased protein expression of BCL-2 and MCL-1, especially in HL-60/VCR cells. It is concluded that 14-3-3ζ plays an important role in proliferation of AML cells and associates with BCL-2 and MCL-1 expression. These results suggested that development of therapy targeting 14-3-3ζ may provide novel, effective strategies for refractory and relapsed AML.
14-3-3 Proteins ; metabolism ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; HL-60 Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCarotid artery stenting (CAS) as a competing treatment modality has had to adhere to limits to gain widespread acceptance in some studies. This study analyzed the clinical data of 1700 consecutive patients after CAS to retrospectively evaluate the 30-day outcome of CAS for internal carotid artery stenosis in a Chinese population.

METHODSMedical records of 1700 patients who underwent CAS at Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2001 and August 2012 were reviewed. Postoperative 30-day complication rates were analyzed and compared with those of other studies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perioperation myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death.

RESULTSThe overall 30-day rate of MI, stroke, and death after CAS was 2.53%. In univariate analysis, patients who were symptomatic, had a neurological deficit (modified Rankin score (mRS) ≥3; P = 0.001), and who were not taking statins experienced a significantly increased rate of MI, stroke, and death (P = 0.017). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the presence of symptoms (odds ratio (OR) = 2.485; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.267-4.876; P = 0.008) and a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) (OR = 3.025; 95% CI = 1.353-6.763; P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to this single-center experience, CAS may effectively prevent and treat carotid artery stenosis that would otherwise lead to stroke. Being symptomatic and having a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) increased the risk of perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stents ; Stroke ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of slow vertex response (SVR) in the evaluation of hearing loss by comparing the hearing thresholds acquired with SVR and pure tone audiometry (PTA). METHODS: Twenty-five subjects (40 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss were tested by PTA and SVR. According to the thresholds of PTA, these ears were subdivided into mild, moderate and severe hearing loss groups, and rank sum test was performed on the thresholds of SVR and PTA for all the hearing loss groups. Then, the correlation between PTA thresholds and SVR thresholds was analyzed and the mathematical models were established for predicting behavioral thresholds by the thresholds of SVR. RESULTS: At four test frequencies (0.5, 1, 2 and 4kHz), the thresholds of SVR had high correlations with thresholds of PTA. Four liner regression equations were established, and the correlation coefficient(r) were 0.971, 0.976, 0.957 and 0.928, respectively (P < 0.05). Back substitution test showed that the liner regression equations would be an easy method for estimating the behavior thresholds. CONCLUSION The behavioral threshold can be well judged and evaluated by the liner regression equations established with SVR thresholds.
Acoustic Stimulation/methods* ; Audiometry, Evoked Response ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Auditory Cortex/physiology* ; Auditory Threshold/physiology* ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory/physiology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Hearing Loss/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Male ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Regression Analysis ; Severity of Illness Index