Study on the mechanism of action of total saponins of Panax notoginseng in ameliorating oxidative stress and insulin resistance in rats fed with high fat diet / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether total saponins of Panax notoginseng (tPNS) can ameliorate oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) in the high fat induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model and to explore the relationship between oxidative stress and IR.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 50 healthy rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (NC), the model group, the high dose tPNS group (at the daily dose of 160 mg/kg), the low dose tPNS group (at the daily dose of 80 mg/kg), and the bicyclol group (at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg), 10 in each group. Rats in the NC group were fed with standard forage. Those in the rest group were fed with high fat forage. Distilled water was given by gastrogavage to those in the NC group and the model group. Corresponding medication was performed for 4 weeks. Four weeks later Lee's index and body weight were measured. All rats were sacrificed to detect the wet weight of livers. Their sera was isolated and detected to calculate liver functions (serum ALT and AST levels). Levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) were detected. Insulin sensitive index (ISI) and insulin resistance index (IRI) were calculated. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and malondialdehyde (MDA), contents of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), hydroxy radical level (-OH), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured. Pathological changes of livers was observed by HE staining of paraffin section.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the NC group, rats' wet liver weight and Lee's index increased in the model group (P < 0.05), and results of light microscopy showed that obvious fatty degeneration occurred in livers. Compared with the model group, rats' wet liver weight and Lee's index, as well as ALT and AST could be obviously improved by tPNS and bicyclol (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The fatty deposition of liver cells could also be alleviated. Compared with the NC group, serum levels of-OH, MDA, and TNF-alpha significantly increased, and activities of T-SOD and T-AOC decreased in the model group (P < 0.01), also accompanied with IR. Compared with the model group, concentrations of -OH, MDA, and TNF-alpha decreased after treated by tPNS (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), activities of T-SOD and T-AOC got recovered (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and IR got obvious improvement (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The anti-oxidative stress effect and IR improving effect of tPNS might play partial roles in treating NAFLD.</p>

Dominant perforator neurocutaneous flaps for one-staged reconstruction of defects caused by high energy at lower legs, ankles and feet / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of dominant perforator neurocutaneous flaps for one-staged reconstruction of defects caused by high energy at lower legs, ankles and feet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2003 to Feb. 2011, 39 cases, with defects caused by high energy at lower legs, ankles and feet, were retrospectively studied. The defects were covered primarily by one or two perforator neurocutaneous flaps (free or pedicled) which were based on a dominant perforator arising from the posterior tibial or peroneal artery (including the lateral supramalleolar perforating artery which is also from the peroneal vessel) respectively through sural, saphenous and superficial peroneal neurocutaneous vascular axis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>39 cases with 44 defects were treated by 32 sural neurocutaneous flaps based on the peroneal perforator (5 free and 27 pedicled), 6 saphenous neurocutaneous flaps on the posterior tibial perforator (1 free and 5 pedicled) and 6 superficial peroneal ones on the lateral supramalleolar perforating artery. The largest flap size was 22 cm x 10 cm. All flaps were survived successfully without necrosis. The average in-hospital time was 23 days ( ranged from 12-36 days).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The three kinds of dominant perforator neurocutaneous flaps have reliable blood supply with a relatively large size. They can be chosen and designed individually for all kinds of defects over the lower leg, ankle and foot. There are many advantages in a primary procedure, such as easier dissection, better vessel status in or around recipient areas, less secondary necrosis and lower risk of chronic infection. Moreover, the reduction of granulation and scar tissues benefit functional rehabilitation.</p>

Superficial peroneal neurocutaneous vascular axial adipofascial-cutaneous flap pedicled with lateral supramalleolar perforator for coverage of donor site defects at foot dorsum / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the operative techniques and clinical results of modified superficial peroneal neurocutaneous propeller adipofascial-cutaneous flap for reconstruction of donor site defects at foot dorsum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A propeller adipofascial flap with a skin pedicle (4-6 cm in width) based on the lateral superamalleolar perforating artery which vascularized the flap through the nutrient vessel chain of the superficial peroneal nerve was designed to repair defects after harvesting of foot pedicled dorsal flap. The defects at donor site of the leg was closed directly and split-thickness skin grafting was performed on the adipofascial surface of the flap primarily or secondarily.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From May 2007 to Oct. 2011, 7 cases were treated. All flaps were transplanted successfully with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The flaps size ranged from 19 cm x 8 cm to 30 cm x 11 cm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The flap has reliable blood supply with a relatively large vascularized area, long rotation are and minimum donor-site cosmetic morbidity. It' s a simple and safe procedure which is suitable for covering donor sites defects after harvesting foot pedicled dorsal flap.</p>

Pulmonary embolism in adolescents / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare and seldom considered in adolescent patients; however it occurs with a greater frequency than is generally recognized, and it is a potentially fatal condition. The aim of the current study was to understand its epidemiology, clinical features and the cause of delay of its diagnosis in adolescents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of nine adolescents with acute PE admitted to the Peking University Third Hospital over the past 16-year period was performed. The epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors of the adolescents were described and compared with those of adults and elderly patients. The time to diagnosis and misdiagnosed diseases were analyzed. Pretest probability of PE was assessed retrospectively by the Wells score and revised Geneva score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of PE was 43.6 per 100 000 hospitalized adolescents in our hospital. The incidence of PE in adolescents was much lower than that in adults and PE is diagnosed in about 1/50 of elderly people. The clinical features in adolescents were similar to those in adults. But fever and chest pain were more common in adolescents (P < 0.05). The major risk factors included surgery, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thrombocytopenia, long-term oral glucocorticoids and trauma. The mean diagnostic time was (7.8 ± 8.4) days. Six cases had a delayed diagnosis. The mean delay time from symptom onset to diagnosis was (11.0 ± 8.8) days. The time of presentation to diagnosis in patients initially admitted to the emergency department was less than one day, and was much shorter than the time in outpatients, (9.4 ± 7.5) days. Most of the patients were initially misdiagnosed with a respiratory tract infection. Most patients' values of Wells score or revised Geneva score were in the moderate or high clinical probability categories; 88% by Well score vs. 100% by revised Geneva score.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PE was seldom considered in the adolescent patients by physicians, especially outpatient physicians, so the diagnosis was often delayed. If adolescent patients complain of dyspnea or chest pain or syncope with/without fever, and they had risk factors such as surgery, thrombocytopenia and trauma, PE should be considered and included in the differential diagnosis.</p>

Modified sural neurocutaneous vascular flap based on single dominant perforator arising from peroneal artery for coverage of defects over Achilles tendon / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the operative techniques and clinical results of specially designed sural neurocutaneous vascular flap pedicled on a dominant perforator (the diameter > or = 0.8 mm) of the peroneal artery for coverage of soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An approximately rectangular sural neurocutaneous vascular flap pedicled on the lowest dominant perforator arising from the peroneal artery was designed and harvested to repair defects over the Achilles tendon. The pedicle was located at a certain part of the flap, which divided the flap into the distal and the proximal parts. After the tendon was repaired, the flap was rotated 180 degrees based on the perforator and the position of the distal and proximal parts of the flap was changed to cover the defects and part of the donor site respectively. In most cases, skin graft was not needed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The modified flaps were applied in 15 cases. All flaps (ranged from 13 cm x 15 cm - 18 cm x 9 cm ) were transplanted successfully without necrosis, and no vascular problems occurred. Following up for 10-17 months showed both satisfactory functional and cosmetic results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The modified flap has reliable blood supply and the special design provides nearly normal outline of the ankle which favorites shoe wearing. It' s an excellent option for covering defects overlying the Achilles tendon.</p>

Case-control study on the effect of ulinastatin on postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing hip joint replacement / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the preventive effects of ulinastatin (Uti) on postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing hip joint replacement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Angust 2009 to June 2010, 160 elderly patients undergoing selective hip joint replacement with ASA I to II were assessed according to American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, including 81 males and 79 females ranging in age from 65 to 83 years (mean 73.9 years). All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to random number table (80 patients in each group): control group (group C) and ulinastatin group (group U). The patients in Group U received intravenous injection of ulinastatin with a dose of 10,000 U/kg before skin incision,and then with dose of 5000 U/kg respectively at 1, 2 and 3 days after operatio. The patients in Group C received the same volume of normal saline instead of ulinastatin. Blood samples were taken preoperatively,at the end of surgery and 1, 2, 3 days after operation for determination of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and Plasma D-dimer. Deep vein thrombosis and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) were also examined through color Doppler ultrasonography and neuroeognirive assessment on the postoperative 3 days respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the preoperative values, the contents of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and plasma D-dimer in each group all increased. Compared with group C,the values of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and plasma D-dimer decreased markedly (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of DVT and POCD was 0 and 3.75% in group U, which were lower than those of patients in the group C (40%, 27.5%) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intravenous infusion of ulinastatin during operation can protect important organ function, correct blood hypercoagulability, lower the occurrence of DVT and POCD, and prevent the postoperative complications in some degree.</p>

Existing problems and strategies in liposome-mediated nucleic acid delivery / 药学学报

Liposome-mediated nucleic acid delivery has been a focus recently, but in the course of delivering nucleic acid, some hurdles seriously limit the nucleic acid exerting treatment effect. This review refers to a series of problems such as low blood stability, reticuloendothelial system absorption, the lower targeting of liposome and the restriction of endosomal escape which are suffered in liposome-mediated nucleic acid delivery; and gives a detail introduction of strategies such as PEGylation, ligand modification, photochemical internalization, the application of degradation liposome and membrane-lytic peptide, to overcome those problems.

Effects of metoprolol on electrophysiology of ischemic and anoxic myocardium in diabetic rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of metoprolol on electrophysiology of ischemic and anoxic myocardium in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: diabetes group; diabetes and ablation of left sympathetic nerve group; diabetes and metoprolol group and sham group. The diabetes model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). The ventricular diastolic effective threshold (DET), effective refractive period (ERP), and Ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) were measured. The serum concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) was measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Metoprolol increased DET of ischemic and anoxic myocardium in diabetic rats. The ablation of the left sympathetic nerve increased VFT of diabetic rats. VFT in metoprolo group was significantly increased compared to diabetes group after ischemia. The concentrations of NGF in diabetic group and metoprolol group were higher than those in sham group. There were no difference in NGF levels between ablation of left sympathetic nerve group and sham group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The remodeling of sympathetic nerve affects the electrophysiology of ischemic myocardium of diabetic rats. Metoprolol can increase the VFT and decrease the excitation threshold of the ischemic myocardium in diabetic rats.</p>

Clinical analysis of one-stage posterior-anterior operative approach in treating lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effects of one-stage posterior-anterior decompression and internal fixation for the treatment of the severe fractures and dislocations combined with the spinal cord injuries of the lower cervical spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2005 to August 2009, 48 patients (male 28 and female 20, aged from 28 to 62 years with a mean of 39.6 years) with severe fractures and dislocations of lower cervical spine were treated by reduction and internal fixation with one-stage combined cervical anterior plating and posterior lateral mass screws and rod or plate systems. Frankel grade A was in 8 cases, grade B in 16 cases, grade C in 20 cases, and grade D in 4 cases before operation. Firstly, the posterior approach was carried out. After inserting the mass screws, decompression and reduction were performed, and the rod or plate systems were embedded. After grafting, the skull traction was removed and initiated the anterior reduction, intervertebral decompression, auto-graft and cervical spine auto-locking plate fixation. The stability and fusion rate of the injured segments were evaluated on the regular postoperative X-ray film. The function of the spinal cord was assessed with Frankle classification.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up, ranged from 6 to 28 months with an average of 12 months. Solid fusion obtained in the postoperative 6 months. Frankel grade C was in 28 cases, grade D in 14 cases, grade E in 6 cases after operation. There was no complications related to internal fixation breakage, loosening or displacement. There was no vascular and esophagus complications during the operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>One-stage combined anterior-posterior decompression and internal fixation in treating severe fracture and dislocations of lower cervical spine could restore the cervical curvature, and obtain good reduction and complete decompression, and gain postoperative immediate stability. This technique is benefit to the patients for the functional recovery of the spinal cord.</p>

Establishment of a stable PrP(Sc) panel from brain tissues of experimental hamsters with scrapie strain 263K / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a stable PrP(Sc) panel from brain tissues of experimental hamsters infected with scrapie agent 263K for evaluating diagnostic techniques of human and animals' prion diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty brain tissue samples from hamsters intracerebrally infected with scrapie strain 263K and another 30 samples from normal hamsters were selected to prepare 10%, 1%, and 0.5% brain homogenates, which were aliquoted into stocks. PrP(Sc) in each brain homogenate was determined by proteinase K digestions followed by Western blot assay and partially by immunohistochemistry. Stability and glycoforms of PrP(Sc) were repeatedly detected by PrP(Sc)-specific Western blots in half a year and 3 years later.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PrP(Sc) signals were observed in all 10% brain homogenates of infected hamsters. Twenty out of 30 stocks and 19 out of 30 stocks were PrP(Sc) positive in 1% and 0.5% brain homogenatesof infected hamsters, respectively. Twenty-seven out of 30 stocks presented three positive bands in 10% brain homogenates, whereas none of 1% and 0.5% homogenates contained 3 bands. The detection of PrP(Sc)-specific signals stored in half a year and 3 years later demonstrated that the ratio of PrP(Sc) positive samples and glycoforms was almost unchanged. All normal hamsters' brain homogenates were PrP(Sc) negative.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A PrP(Sc) panel of prion disease can be established, which displays reliably stable PrP(Sc)-specific signals and glycoforms.</p>

Studies on heredity rule of the first genealogy regarding fatal familial insomnia in Henan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiological,genealogic characteristic,familial history of the families with fatal familial insomnia,its clinical and pathological features as well as the heredity rule of related genes.Methods 135 familial members of 7 eras were studied.Vein blood samples from patients as well as from some familial members were collected.PRNP gene was studied with PCR,its serial was determined and then authenticated with Nsp I.Brain tissue was obtained for neuropathological test and PrPSc test with Western blot method.Results Clinical symptoms of the 2 diagnosed cases were typical.11 familial members died of similar neural disease.32 samples of their familial members,codon at D178N of PRNP of 11 members was mutated,with mutation rate as 34.38% while D129N showed as methionine.Brain tissue of both probands denaturalized into spongiform and the nerve fiber was absent but PrPSc protein was identified.Conclusion Genealogy was described in the family with fatal familial insomnia since the patients had typical clinical symptoms and pathological characteristics.It seemed necessary to confirm cases of fatal familial insomnia and their genealogy with epidemiological data and to investigate its gene characteristics as well as with neuropathological and Western blot tests.

Molecular epidemiological study on prevalence of human papillomaviruses in patients with common warts in Beijing area / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the circulation, distribution, and genomic diversity of HPVs in common warts in Beijing area of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty eight patients with pathologically diagnosed common warts were screened for the presence of HPV with HPV type-specific PCR and direct sequencing analysis. The genomic diversity of HPVs prevalent in Chinese patients was analyzed based on LCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty one (85.5%) samples were positive for HPV DNA, 13 (31.7%)--HPV-57, 12 (29.3%)--HPV-1a, 7 (17%)--HPV-27 and 5(12.2%)--HPV-2a. Four cases were infected with two different HPV types, two (4.9%) with HPV-1a and HPV-27, one (2.4%) with HPV-1 and HPV-57 and one (2.4%) with HPV-27 and HPV-57. In contrast to the prevalence of single strain of novel HPV-57 variant and HPV-1 prototype, two HPV-2 and three HPV-27 novel variants were found to circulate in Beijing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HPV-1, -2, -27 and -57 are predominantly prevalent in patients with common warts in Beijing.</p>

Preliminary study on sea cucumber saponin-nobiliside A liposome and its hemolytic activity / 药学学报

Nobiliside A (Nob A) liposomes were prepared. Its assay method of content and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were established, and hemolytic activity with Nob A solution in vivo and in vitro were compared. Preparative method, phospholipid content, ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol and ratio of drug to lipids were optimized by single factor exploration. According to the optimized results, 3 batches of Nob A liposomes were prepared, then high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) method was used to determine the content of Nob A and minicolumn centrifugation method to determine EE, transmission electron microscope was used to detect the morphology and laser scatter analysis to evaluate particle sizes of the liposomes. The hemolytic activity was studied both in vivo and in vitro. The results indicated that HPLC-ELSD method and minicolumn centrifugation method used in this study are simple, applicable and accurate for the determination of the content and EE of Nob A liposome respectively . Nob A liposomes have a high EE with spherical shape and uniform size by using the film ultrasonication technique. When the ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol was 2:1 and the ratio of Nob A to lipids was 1:40, the mean EE of Nob A liposomes was 95.7% and the mean diameter was 87.6 nm. Liposomes inhibited the hemolytic activity of Nob A in vivo and in vitro sharply. As for its low hemolytic activity in vivo and in vitro, Nob A liposomes are optimistic to be used by intravenous injection.

Establishment of an assay for PrP(Sc) detection based on streptomycin precipitation / 病毒学报

To establish a new Western blotting assay for PrP(Sc) detection, we optimized the Western blotting assay with a precipitation procedure of streptomycin sulfate. After digestion with PK, 10% scrapie infected hamster brain homogenates were incubated with 60 mmol/L streptomycin and the precipitated PrP(Sc) was recovered by centrifugation. The enrichment of PrP(Sc) by streptomycin sulfate precipitation was evaluated using Western blotting assay. The results showed streptomycin could bind to PK-treated PrP(Sc), forming high molecular masses, but not influence the glycosylated patterns on SDS-PAGE. Western blot assay revealed that the detective sensitivity of the streptomycin-precipitation PrP(Sc) was remarkably improved. As a sensitive, specific, rapid and flexible protocol for PrP(Sc), the protocol in this study has the potential utility, alone or combined with other techniques, for the detection of low level PrP(Sc) in the specimens from central nerve system, or from peripheral organs or body fluids.

Transcriptional repressive activity of mutated E2 protein of human papillomavirus 2 (HPV-2) variant / 病毒学报

Common warts are close associated with HPVs infection. In this study, we amplified and sequenced the LCR fragment and E2 gene of HPV-2 that infected the patient of extensive common wart with cutaneous horns, and we constructed the recombinant CAT-reporter plasmids pBLCAT-LCR containing HPV-2 prototype or variant LCR and mammalian expression plasmids pcDNA3. 1-E2 containing prototype or variant E2 ORF individually. The promoter activities of HPV-2 variant and the transcriptional repression activities of the mutated E2 protein were evaluated by transient transfection into HeLa cells. The results showed that there were several mutations in LCR and E2 gene of HPV-2 variant. Compared with the prototype, the viral early promoter activity of variant was significantly increased uder the control of LCR. Compared with the wild type E2 protein, the transcriptional repression activities of the mutated E2 protein was abolished partially. We speculate herein that increased promoter activities and decreased repression effect of the mutated E2 protein are linked, at least partially, with the clinical phenotypes of the uncommon huge common wart.

PrP protein can bind to protein kinase CK2 both in native and recombinant forms in vitro / 病毒学报

To explore the possible molecular interaction between CK2 and PrP, the full length sequences of human CK2alpha and CK2beta genes were amplified with RT-PCR using the mRNA from cell line SH-SY5Y as the template, and then the fusion proteins HIS-CK2alpha and GST-HIS-CK2beta were expressed in E. coli. The interaction between CK2 and PrP was evaluated with immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays. The results demonstrated that recombinant PrP bound specifically with CK2alpha, but not with CK2beta. The native CK2 and PrP in the hamster brains interacted each other, forming protein complexes. The domain responsible for interacting with CK2alpha was located at the C-terminal segment of PrP (residues 90-231). This study proposed reliable experimental data for the molecular interaction between PrP and CK2alpha, both in recombinant and native categories. These results supply scientific clues for further assessing the potential biological significance of the interaction of PrP with CK2 and possible role of CK2 in the pathogenesis of prion diseases.

Establishment of a sandwich ELISA method for detection of vascular endothelial growth factor in serum samples of hepatocellular carcinoma patients / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a sandwich ELISA method for detecting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in sera of population and the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Full length and two truncated human VEGF cDNA sequences were amplified from a commercial plasmid pBLAST49-hVEGF by PCR and inserted into the prokaryotic-expression plasmid pET-32a or pGEX-2T. Various VEGF proteins were expressed and purified from E. coli in His-Trx or GST fusion forms. The specific VEGF antibodies were elicited in experimental rabbits and mice by immunization of the full length VEGF fusion protein His-Trx-VEGF1-165. After purification of antibodies with chromatograph of Protein G, a sandwich ELISA technique was established. Serum VEGF levels were evaluated in 229 adults and 291 HCC patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SDS-PAGE displayed that the molecular weights of the expressed full length (His-Trx-VEGF1-165), N-terminal (His-Trx-VEGF1-100) and C-terminal (GST-VEGF100-165) human VEGF fusion proteins were about 38KD, 31KD, and 33KD, respectively. Western blots confirmed that the prepared antisera were able to recognize both prokaryoticly and eukaryoticly expressed recombinant VEGF proteins. Assays of serially diluted His-Trx-VEGF1-100 by the established sandwich ELISA method showed that the linear range of the standard curve was 0.625-320 ng/mL, with the squared correlation coefficient R2 = 0.991. Screening of a serum panel containing 291 serum samples of HCC patients and 229 health adults revealed that the average VEGF level in HCC patients was higher than that in healthy controls, with a statically significant difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established sandwich ELISA reflects the level of serum VEGF and provide scientific basis for screening metastasis and recurrence of HCC using serum VEGF as an index.</p>

Interaction analysis between various PrP fusion proteins and the tubulin in vitro / 病毒学报

In order to further study the potential interaction between PrP protein and the tubulin and identify the binding region in PrP with tubulin, native tubulin was extracted from rabbit brian tissues, while various recombinant PrP proteins were expressed and purified. The possible molecular interaction between various PrP fusion proteins and tubulin was tested by pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. Remarkable molecular interaction between the full length PrP and tubulin was observed by pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. Subsequently, the binding regions within PrP with tubulin were firstly mapped in the aa 23 -- 91 region within N-terminus of PrP peptide. The studies of the association of PrP with tubulin may further provide insight into the unresolved mechanism of active transport of PrP protein in neurons and possible cellular pathways by which prion causes disease.

Study on the characteristic of Surveillance Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patients from January to August in 2006 in China / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the incidence condition and characteristic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical and epidemical information of patients from China CJD surveillance network was analyzed. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from these patients were differently collected to be used to detect the 14-3-3 protein in the CSF and to analyze the PRNP gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten possible and 8 probable clinically diagnosed CJD patients were found. These patients had sporadic CJD. There were no geographic clustering and occupational risk with these patients. The mean age at onset of disease was approximately 60 years. The male to female ratio was approximately 1:1; rapidly progressive dementia was the main early symptom, which was present in 44% of patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The geographic distribution, occupation, the ratio of male to female and the mean age of onset were consistent with the characteristics of sporadic CJD.</p>

Producing human lactoferrin by high-density fermentation recombinant Pichia pastoris / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To evaluate expression of human lactoferrin gene by high-density fermentation in recombinant Pichia pastoris on the premise of maintaining its biological activities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The neutrophil was isolated from human peripheral blood and its total RNA was prepared. Full-length cDNA of human lactoferrin gene was then obtained by RT-PCR, cloned into expression vector pPIC 3.5 K and transformed into Pichia pastoris strain KM71. With two-layer filter method, the transformants with high-productivity of human lactoferrin were screened out into fed-batch high-density fermentation. And later, the physical, chemical and biological activities of fermentation product were detected preliminarily.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The strain p3.5-k-7 with better productivity of human lactoferrin was screened out into fed-batch high-density fermentation. The fermentation lasted nearly for nine days, with A-600 of culture once above 260 and the highest productivity of human lactoferrin being 115 mg/L, 7.67 times the amount of that in shake flask cultivation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The authors successfully realized high-density fermentation expression of human lactoferrin gene in recombinant Pichia pastoris.</p>