Association of gene polymorphism of CXCL10 and CXCL12 with tuberculosis susceptibility / 天津医药

Objective To explore the relationship of chemokines CXCL10-135G/A and CXCL12 -801G/A gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis. Methods CXCL10-135G/A and CXCL12-801G/A polymorphisms of 102 tuberculosis patients(case group)and 115 healthy controls(control group)were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the relationship between the two polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis were analyzed. Results The genotype analysis of CXCL10-135G/A and CXCL12-801G/A was in accord with the law of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the case group and the control group. The differences of genotype and allele distribution frequency of CXCL10-135G/A were statistically significant between the case group and the control group(all P<0.05).The frequency of G allele distribution was higher in the case group than that in the control group, and the frequency of A allele distribution was lower than that in the control group.There were no significant differences in genotype and allele distribution frequency of CXCL12-801G/A polymorphism between the case group and the control group (all P>0.05).Conclusion Chemokine CXCL10-135G/A gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis,and CXCL12-801G/A gene polymorphism may not be associated with tuberculosis infection.

Cloning and expression analysis in resurrection process of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene from Selaginella tamariscina / 中国中药杂志

Selaginella tamariscina is a typical resuscitation medicinal plant with extreme drought tolerance. Trehalose plays an important role in the resurrection process, and the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase(TPS) is the key enzyme to synthesize trehalose in plants. In this study, the sequence of TPS was obtained by splicing from the transcriptome data of S. tamariscina. After the synthesis of cDNA based on the template of total RNA, the sequence was cloned by RT-PCR for verification and then analyzed by bioinformatics methods. The results indicated that the full-length coding sequence of StTPS was 2 799 bp (GenBank accession no. MH155231), and the encoded protein contained 932 amino acids. StTPS could be located in the chloroplastid according to subcellular localization prediction. There were two conserved domains belonging to glycogen phosphorylase glycosyltransferase (GPGTF) family but no signal peptide or transmembrane domain in StTPS. The expression of StTPS was determined by qRT-PCR and the variation of trehalose content was measured by HPLC-ELSD during the resurrection process of S. tamariscina. Meanwhile, the correlation between them was analyzed. The results showed that both the expression level of StTPS and the trehalose content increased associated with the extension of dehydration time, and declined associated with the extension of rehydration time which proved a significant positive correlation between the StTPS expression level and the trehalose content. The results suggested that the StTPS probably plays a central role in recovery process in S. tamariscina.

Whole Genome Analysis Reveals New Insights into Macrolide Resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Mutations in 23S rRNA gene are known to be associated with macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae). However, these mutations alone do not fully explain the high resistance rates in Asia. The aim of this study was to investigate other possible mutations involved in macrolide resistance in M. pneumoniae.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The whole genomes of 10 clinical isolates of M. pneumoniae with macrolide resistance were sequenced by Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. The role of the macrolide-specific efflux transporter was assessed by efflux-pump inhibition assays with reserpine and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 56 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 10 clinical isolates in comparison to the reference strains M129 and FH. Strikingly, 4 of 30 SNPs causing non-synonymous mutations were clustered in macrolide-specific efflux system gene macB encoding macrolide-specific efflux pump protein of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family. In assays of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of macrolide antibiotics in the presence of the efflux pump inhibitors caused a significant decrease of MICs, even under detectable levels in some strains.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study suggests that macrolide efflux pump may contribute to macrolide resistance in M. pneumoniae in addition to the common point mutations in 23S rRNA gene.</p>

Food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the AGEs/RAGE pathway / 中国天然药物

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-advanced glycation end products (AGEs) diet on diabetic vascular complications. The Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were fed with high-AGEs diet. Diabetic characteristics, indicators of renal and cardiovascular functions, and pathohistology of pancreas, heart and renal were evaluated. AGEs/RAGE/ROS pathway parameters were determined. During the experiments, the diabetic mice exhibited typical characteristics including weight loss, polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, high-blood glucose, and low-serum insulin levels. However, high-AGEs diet effectively aggravated these diabetic characteristics. It also increased the 24-h urine protein levels, serum levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, c-reactive protein (CRP), low density lipoprotein (LDL), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the diabetic mice. High-AGEs diet deteriorated the histology of pancreas, heart, and kidneys, and caused structural alterations of endothelial cells, mesangial cells and podocytes in renal cortex. Eventually, high-AGEs diet contributed to the high-AGE levels in serum and kidneys, high-levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low-levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, heart, and kidneys. It also upregulated RAGE mRNA and protein expression in heart and kidneys. Our results showed that high-AGEs diet deteriorated vascular complications in the diabetic mice. The activation of AGEs/RAGE/ROS pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes.

Effect of Small Knife Needle on β-enorpin and Enkehalin Contents of Tansverse Process Syndrome of the Third Vertebra / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the analgesic mechanism of small knife needle for treating transverse process syndrome of the third vertebra (TPSTV) by observing peripheral and central changesof β-endorphin (β-EP) and enkephalin (ENK) contents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 30 Japanese white big-ear rabbits of clean grade were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the small knife needle group, the electroacupunture (EA) group, and the small knife needle plus EA group, 6 in each group. The TPSTV model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the left transverse process of 3rd lumbar vertebrae. Rabbits in the small knife needlegroup were intervened by small knife needle. Those in the EA group were intervened by EA at bilateralWeizhong (BL40). Those in the small knife needle plus EA group were intervened by small knife needleand EA at bilateral Weizhong (BL40). Contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma, muscle, spinal cord, and hypothalamus were determined after sample collection at day 28 after modeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma and muscle increased significantly, and contents of β-EP and ENK in spinal cord and hypothalamus decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of β-EP and ENK approximated normal levels in the three treatment groups after respective treatment. Compared with the model group, the content of β-EP in muscle decreased, and contents of β-EP and ENK in hypothalamus increased in the three treatment groups after respective treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference among the three treatment groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Small knife needle treatment and EA had benign regulation on peripheral and central β-EP and ENK in TPSTV rabbits. Small knife needle treatment showed better effect than that of EA.</p>

A single tube modified allele-specific-PCR for rapid detection of erythromycin-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Beijing / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is one of the common pathogens causing atypical pneumonia. In recent years, resistance to macrolides has become more common, especially in China. Previous studies have confirmed that the mutation at position 2063 in domain V of the 23S rRNA is the most prevalent, followed by the mutation at position 2064. Reported molecular detection methods for the identification of these mutations include direct sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with high-resolution melt analysis, and nested PCR-linked with capillary electrophoresis, etc. The most commonly used method for monitoring resistance-conferring mutations in M. pneumoniae is direct DNA sequencing of PCR or nested PCR products. However, these methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive or need expensive equipments. Therefore the development of rapid and sensitive methods is very important for monitoring the resistance globally.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, we reported a fast and cost-effective method for detecting 2063 and/or 2064 macrolide resistant mutations from specimens using a modified allele-specific PCR analysis, and all results were compared with the sequencing data. We also analyzed the clinical courses of these samples to confirm the modified allele-specific PCR results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 97 M. pneumoniae specimens, 88 were found to possess mutations by this method, and all modified allele-specific PCR analysis results were consistent with the sequencing data. The data of the clinical courses of these 97 cases showed that they suffered from severe pneumonia. Erythromycin showed better efficacy on cases from which no macrolide resistance mutation was found on their specimens. However, in some cases from which mutations were detected, erythromycin monotherapy had poor efficacy, and on these patients severe symptoms improved only when azithromycin was added to the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The drug-resistant M. pneumoniae is very common in Beijing, China. Our modified allele-specific PCR analysis can identify erythromycin resistant mutations more rapidly from specimens than any other method currently available. Erythromycin is still effective for treating patients infected with the mutation negative M. pneumoniae, but this treatment fails to work on mutant organisms. This method can facilitate clinicians in selecting appropriate therapy within short timescales.</p>

Effect of staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection on post liposuction seroma / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of treatment of post liposuction seroma with Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>64 cases with post liposuction seroma were treated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection or routine procedures. The exudate of those patients was collected to analyze the ratio, pH value, cell species and numbers, and the value of TP, ALP, LDH, AST, ALT, gamma-GT, ADA, ApoB, TC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio, numbers of lymphocyte and mesothelial cells and TP, LDH, ADA, TC value in exudate in Staphylococcal enterotoxin C group were significantly higher than those in control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The effect of Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection on the exudate of seroma may be related to the non-inflammation reaction.</p>

Effect of Ginkgo biloba Pingchan Recipe on neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in the brain of mouse models of Parkinson disease / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of the Chinese compound prescription Ginkgo biloba Pingchan Recipe (GBPR) on experimental Parkinson disease (PD) in mice and explore the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male C57/BL6J mice were divided into normal control, PD model and treatment groups. PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection with 1-methl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP) in the mice, and in the treatment group, GBPR was administered intragastrically after the injection. The mice were sacrificed 14 and 28 days later, and using in situ hybridization with Digoxin-labeled nNOS cDNA oligonucleotide probe, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA was detected in the striatum and substantia nigra in the brain of mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>nNOS mRNA expression was detected in the striatum and substantia nigra of the PD model mice, and GBPR treatment significantly reduced its expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GBPR has obvious inhibitory effect against the neurotoxicity of NO probably by producing an anti-oxiditive effect through decreasing nNOS synthesis in the brain.</p>

Study on the pathogens correlated to sexually transmitted diseases in 285 pre-pubertal girls with vulvovaginitis in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between vulvovaginitis in pre-pubertal girls and pathogens as Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), N. gonorrhoeae (Ng), Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), Mycoplasma hominis (Mh), M. genitalium (Mg), M. fermentans (Mf) and M. penetrans (Mpe), as well as to find out the proportion of mycoplasma which is correlated to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and AIDS. METHODS Vulvae swab specimens from 285 pre-pubertal girls with vulvovaginitis (case group) and 128 healthy girls (control group) were collected and detected by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to identify the existence of pathogens as Ct, Ng, Uu, Mh, Mg, Mf and Mpe. nPCR with both high specificity and sensitivity, would not be influenced by the amount of pathogens in specimens or inactivated during the process of storage or transportation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of detection on pathogens was 59.65% in the 285 specimens from case group including 'one kind of pathogen in one specimen' as 37.54% and 'two kinds' as 16.84% and 'three kinds' as 5.26%. However, in the 128 specimens from control group, the detectable rate of pathogen was 6.25%. Relationships were found between Ng (P < 0.01), Ct (P < 0.01), Uu (P < 0.01), Mg (P < 0.01), Mf (P < 0.05), Mpe (P < 0.01) and vulvovaginitis in pre-pubertal girls. In control group the pathogens were detected from 7 specimens including 5 Uu and 2 Mh.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Some of the pathogens were correlated to STD and were important in causing vulvovaginitis in pre-pubertal girls. Vulvovaginitis might have been caused by more than one kind of pathogen in pre-pubertal girls. The locations of Mg, Mf and Ng in outer genital tracts were correlated to seasonal change. Macrolide seemed to be quite effective clinically in treating urogenital tract infection caused by mycoplasma and Ct.</p>

Effects of yinxing pingchan recipe and its components on activity of mitochondrial enzyme complex in brain of mice with Parkinson's disease / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanisms of Yinxing Pingchan recipe (YXPC) and its components, i.e. the components for detoxicating (A), for calming liver (B) and for dissolving blood stasis(C), in preventing and treating Parkinson's disease, and the path of its inhibition on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron (DAn) apoptosis in model mice of Parkinson's disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group, the model group and four Chinese medicinal groups, that is, the YXPC group, and Group A, B and C, treated with YXPC and its components A, B and C respectively. Mouse model of Parkinson's disease was established by intraperitoneal injection with 1-methl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP). All mice were sacrificed in 2 batches at the 14th and the 28th day respectively. The activity of mitochondrial enzyme complex I, II and IV (MEC I, II and IV) in the brain of mice were measured, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with the normal group, the activity of MEC I and IV in brain was significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and that of MEC II had no obvious change in the model group. As compared with the model group, the activity of MEC I was significantly higher in YXPC group and Group C at the 14th day (P < 0.05), while the activity of MECII in Group A at the 14th day, Group B at the 28th day and Group C at both 14th and 28th day was significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Activity of MEC IV in the four Chinese medicinal groups at the 14th day all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and retained at high level in Group B and Group C at the 28th day (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YXPC and its components can maintain the mitochondrial function by partial inhibiting the activity of its enzyme complex, preventing DAn apoptosis to slow down the progress of Parkinson's disease.</p>

Intrauterine infections and birth defects / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Intrauterine infection is an important cause of some birth defects worldwide. The most common pathogens include rubella virus, cytomegaloviurs, ureaplasma urealyticum, toxoplasma, etc. General information about these pathogens in epidemiology, consequence of birth defects, and the possible mechanisms in the progress of birth defects, and the interventions to prevent or treat these pathogens' infections are described. The infections caused by rubella virus, cytomegaloviurs, ureaplasma urealyticum, toxoplasma, etc. are common, yet they are proved to be fatal during the pregnant period, especially during the first trimester. These infections may cause sterility, abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and affect multiple organs that may induce loss of hearing and vision, even fetal deformity and the long-term effects. These pathogens' infections may influence the microenvironment of placenta, including levels of enzymes and cytokines, and affect chondriosome that may induce the progress of birth defect. Early diagnosis of infections during pregnancy should be strengthened. There are still many things to be settled, such as the molecular mechanisms of birth defects, the effective vaccines to certain pathogens. Birth defect researches in terms of etiology and the development of applicable and sensitive pathogen detection technology and methods are imperative.

Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of coxsackievirus B3 gene expression in HeLa cells and dose-response experiments / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In this study, the authors investigated inhibition of coxsackievirus B (CVB) gene expression using antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the 5' NCR, translation initiation codon and structural protein coding sequences and also observed the dose-response of the sequence specific inhibition of CVB plaque formation by antisense oligonucleotides.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Antiviral activities of these oligonucleotides were evaluated by using plaque reduction assay, yield reduction assay, cytopathic effect (CPE) and Western blot analysis. The cells were treated with random oligonucleotides as a specificity control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At a screening concentration of 5 micromole, 6 of the phosphorothioate oligonucleotide demonstrated some reduction of virus replication relative to untreated cells. 70%-90% inhibition of virus at 0.1 MOI (multiplicity of infection), 50% inhibition of virus infection at 10 MOI. The levels of the VP1 were reduced in CVB-infected cells treated with Scb561 and Scb733. VP1 was significantly reduced after treatment with 0.625 micromole Scb561 and almost undetectable in cells treated with 2.5 micromole Scb561. Dose response experiments implied that sequence specific oligonucleotide doses were related to effect on inhibition of CVB3 infection. When oligonucleotide doses were increased from 1.25 to 5 micromole, 75% to 90% inhibition were observed with Scb561 and 65% to 80% inhibition with Scb733, whereas random control failed to inhibit CVB replication (8% inhibition for each). CONCLUSION The present studies showed that antisense oligonucleotides against internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and translation initiation codon were capable of specifically inhibiting the synthesis of viral protein and subsequent productive CVB replication.The selective inhibition using antisense oligonucleotide might lead to development of an effective antiviral agent for future clinical evaluation.</p>