Studies on resistance of Schistosoma to praziquantel (ⅩⅥ)Biological characteris- tics of praziquantel-resistant isolates of Schistomoma japonicum in Oncomelania hupensis snails / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the difference of biological characteristics between the praziquantel-resistant and-sus-ceptible isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in intermediate host Oncomelania hupensis snails. Methods Mice were infected with cercariae of praziquantel-resistant and-susceptible isolates of S. japonicum,and the parasite eggs were collected 37 days post-in-fection to hatch miracidium. Then,the snails were infected with the miracidium of each parasite isolate. The snail infection,sur-vival rate of infected snails,prepatent period of cercariae,and the total number of cercariae shed from each infected snail were observed and compared between the praziquantel-resistant and-susceptible isolates of S. japonicum. Results If each snail was exposed to a single miracidium,there were significant differences between the praziquantel-resistant and-susceptible Jiangsu isolates in the snail infection(8.99％vs. 19.74％;χ2=3.948,P=0.047)and the number of cercaria released from a single snail (1460.2 vs. 1039.3;t=2.507,P=0.02),and there were significant differences between the praziquantel-susceptible and-re-sistant Hunan isolates in the snail infection(10.00％vs. 21.52％;χ2=3.980,P=0.046)and the number of cercaria released from a single snail(1319.4 vs. 1003.5;t=2.566,P=0.017). However,there were no significant differences between the pra-ziquantel-resistant and-susceptible isolates of S. japonicum in the prepatent period of cercariae and the survival rate of infected snails(P>0.05). Conclusion The praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum has a higher susceptibility to O. hupensis but less cercaria released from each infected snail than the susceptible isolate.

Studies on resistance of Schistosoma to praziquantel(ⅩⅦ) Biological characteris- tics of praziquantel-resistant isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the biological characteristics of the praziquantel-resistant isolate of Schistosoma japoni-cum in mice,so as to explore the pathogenicity to definitive hosts and transmission intensity of the praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum. Methods Mice were infected with the cercariae released from two praziquantel-resistant isolates and two pra-ziquantel-susceptible isolates of S. japonicum. The mouse-Oncomelania hupensis snail-mouse cycle was established and main- tained in the laboratory. The prepatent period of parasite eggs,egg production,egg distribution in mice,parasite susceptibility to mice and egg size were investigated in each parasite isolate. Results The prepatent period of parasite eggs,egg counts in mouse feces,adult worms recovered from each mouse,egg counts in mouse tissues,egg counts in the mouse liver,and egg counts in intestine tissues were 36.1 d and 36.8 d ( t=0.907, P=0.372 ) , 14.6 / 100 mg and 21.2 / 100 mg (t=2.946, P=0.007),20.5 and 25.1 worms per mouse(t=2.128, P=0.042),31303 and 38594 per paired adult worm(t=2.185, P=0.04),14810 and 19715 per paired adult worm(t=2.934, P=0.007),and 16493 and 18879 per paired adult worm(t=1.044, P=0.309)in the mice infected with Jiangsu praziquantel-susceptible and-resistant isolates of S. japonicum, respectively,and there were no significant differences between Jiangsu praziquantel-susceptible and-resistant isolates of S. ja-ponicum in the length of paired adult worms(t=0.328, P=0.744),female adult worms(t=0.386, P=0.701)or male adult worms(t=0.332, P=0.741). The prepatent period of parasite eggs,egg counts in mouse feces,adult worms recovered from each mouse,egg counts in mouse tissues,egg counts in the mouse liver,and egg counts in intestine tissues were 35.5 d and 35.6 d(t=0.169, P=0.867),13.3/100 mg and 18.9/100 mg(t=3.622, P=0.001),17.6 and 25.1 worms per mouse(t=3.153, P=0.004),30932 and 53903 per paired adult worm(t=3.865, P=0.001),12307 and 26363 per paired adult worm (t=4.388, P<0.01),and 18625 and 27541 per paired adult worm(t=2.679, P=0.012)in the mice infected with Hunan praziquantel-susceptible and-resistant isolates of S. japonicum,respectively,and there were no significant differences between Hunan praziquantel - susceptible and - resistant isolates of S. japonicum in the length of paired adult worms (t=0.853, P=0.397),female adult worms(t=0.573, P=0.569)or male adult worms(t=0.742, P=0.461). Conclusions The praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum has a higher parasite egg production and more eggs deposited in the mouse liver than drug-susceptible isolate,suggesting that the praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum exhibits a greater pathogenicity to definitive hosts. In addition,more parasite eggs are detected in the feces of mice infected with the praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum relative to the drug-susceptible isolate,indicating that the praziquantel-resistant isolate of S. japonicum exhibits a greater transmissibility than the drug-susceptible isolate.

Expression of deleted in liver cancer 1 and phosphorelated focal adhesion kinase in breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the expression of deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) and phosphorelated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) in breast cancer tissue to further understand the molecular mechanisms of the carcinogenesis and metastasis of breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the protein level of DLC1 and p-FAK in 61 breast cancer, 30 benign breast disease and the adjacent normal breast tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of DLC1 differed significantly between breast cancer, benign and normal tissues (34.43%, 80.00% and 76.67%, respectively, P<0.001). The positivity rates of p-FAK in the 3 tissues were 77.05%, 33.33% and 26.67%, also showing significant differences (P<0.001). The aberrant expression of DLC1 showed an inverse correlation to p-FAK (κ=-0.4591). Both DLC1 and p-FAK were closely correlated to the carcinogenesis, clinical stage, PR and lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer (P<0.05), but not to the patients age, pathological subtype, familial history, ER or CerbB-2 (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal expression of DLC1 and p-FAK might participate in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer. The role of DLC1 and p-FAK might be related to the regulation of progestone. DLC1 and p-FAK may serve as candidate markers for early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation and target treatment of breast cancer.</p>

The Effects of IFN-γ on AKT activated 32D Cells and its Mechanisms / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of activated AKT on murine myeloid precursor cells (32D cells), and the effects of IFN-γ on 32D cells and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Plasmid transduction was used to enhance the expression of AKT on 32D cells. After the transfected cells treated with IFN-γ for 24 hours, proliferation rate was tested by WST-1, apoptosis by flow cytometry, expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2, Stat3 and phosphorylated Stat3 was determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) IFN-γ at low concentration (100 U/ml) enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration (1000 U/ml) suppressed them. (2) Compared with control groups, low concentration IFN-γ increased (1124 ± 13) Stat3 phosphorylation in 32D-cell, while it high concentration IFN-γ decreased (601 ± 13). 32D cells transfected with activated Akt grew rapidly (0.287 ± 0.010) and had a low apoptotic rate [(9.57 ± 0.17)% (P < 0.05)]. (3) The expression of p-Erk1/2 in transfected 32D-cell was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (4) Apoptosis rate of IFN-γ treated group was significantly decreased in transfected 32D cells (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IFN-γ has dual effects on 32D cells, namely, at low concentration enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration suppressed them. Its mechanisims is possibly through Stat3 pathway. Activated Akt can significantly promote the growth and proliferation of 32D cell and significantly inhibit apoptosis and IFN-γ can regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis through AKT. AKT activation can inhibit the Erk signal pathway, which may be affected by inhibition the modificaton of Raf1.</p>

Vision, subjective accommodation and lens mobility after TetraFlex accommodative intraocular lens implantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The TetraFlex accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) was designed to supply the patients both satisfied far and near vision after cataract surgery. So we need to evaluate the safety, distance and near visual acuity, subjective accommodation and IOL mobility with the TetraFlex accommodating IOL implantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty eyes of 42 study-eligible cataract patients, who gave informed consent at a single eye clinic in China over a 10-month period, underwent phacoemulsification with TetraFlex IOL implantation. At three months postoperation, uncorrected visual acuities (UCVA), best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), distance-corrected near visual acuities (DCNVA), subjective accommodation using the defocus method, and pilocarpine-induced IOL mobility were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No postoperative complications were noted in the study. Three months postoperation UCVA and BCVA were 20/40 or bettter in 82% (41/50) and 92% (46/50) of eyes, respectively; 66% (33/50) of the eyes had DCNVA of Jager (J) 4 or better at 3 months. In addition, the mean subjective accommodation was (0.94+/-0.61) diopters (D) (range from 0.50 to 1.50 D) and pilocarpine-induced IOL mobility was (337+/-124) microm (range from 121 to 501 microm) with the TetraFlex. High relationship (r2=0.901, P<0.01) was found between these two measurements.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Implantation of the TetraFlex is safe and leads to excellent uncorrected distance vision and good uncorrected near vision.</p>

Prostaglandin induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in ciliary melanocytes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2alpha analog, has been shown to be an effective intraocular pressure lowering agent which acts by inducing ciliary muscle cells to synthesise matrix metalloproteinases. However, the response of ciliary melanocytes to latanoprost has never been reported. This research has investigated the ability of latanoprost to induce matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in human ciliary melanocytes, and thereby advance the understanding of the mechanism of PGF(2alpha) in decreasing intraocular pressure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro human ciliary melanocytes were treated for 48 hours with five different concentrations of latanoprost (100, 150, 200, 500, and 1000 nmol/L). Ciliary melanocytes treated with 0.01% ethanol (vehicle) were used as a control. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in ciliary melanocytes was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Western blotting showed that the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in ciliary melanocytes was induced by latanoprost, and the level of expression was dependent on the concentration of latanoprost in the culture medium. Immunofluorescent staining showed that matrix metalloproteinase-1 was confined to the ciliary melanocyte cytoplasm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Latanoprost induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human ciliary melanocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Ciliary melanocytes, as well as ciliary muscle cells, may also play an important role in uveoscleral outflow modulation.</p>

Expression of glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein and human CCL3L1 protein / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clone human CCL3L1 cDNA and to express and purify the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein and human CCL3L1 protein.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was isolated from breast cancer cell line MCF7. CCL3L1 cDNA including open reading frame was obtained by RT-PCR. PCR product was digested with EcoR I and cloned into the pGEX-4T-1 vector. The plasmids from positive clone was prepared and sequenced to confirm the CCL3L1 in correct fusion form. pGEX-4T-CCL3L1 was transfected to BL21 E. coli via isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) induction to produce GST-CCL3L1 fusion protein, which was further detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As shown and confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion analysis, CCL3L1 was correctly inserted into pGEX-4T-1 vector. The expressed fusion protein had a relative molecular weight of approximately 34 kD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GST-CCL3L1 fusion protein can be successfully expressed using appropriate vector.</p>

Study on association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and the outcomes of HBV infection / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms are associated with the outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the polymorphisms of Fok I locus in exon 2 and Taq I locus in exon 9 of VDR gene. One hundred and eighty-four chronic hepatitis B patients and 205 asymptomatic HBV carriers were recruited to make the comparison of frequencies of genotype and haplotype of the VDR gene between the patients and the carriers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The univariate analysis showed a significant difference in Fok I polymorphism between chronic hepatitis B patients group and asymptomatic HBV carriers group. The FF genotype frequency in chronic hepatitis B patients group was 44.6%,higher than 31.7% in asymptomatic HBV carriers group (P<0.05). After adjusting the confounders by multiple logistic regression analysis, the result still showed a significant difference in Fok I site polymorphism between chronic hepatitis B patients group and asymptomatic HBV carriers group (OR=1.95, P<0.05). The FT haplotype frequency in chronic hepatitis B patients group was higher than that in asymptomatic HBV carriers group (OR=1.45, P<0.05). The fT haplotype frequency in chronic hepatitis B patients group was lower than that in asymptomatic HBV carriers group (OR=0.72, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VDR gene polymorphism may be an influence factor of genetic susceptibility to HBV infection.</p>

Relationship between polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and familial aggregation of HBsAg carriers / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether -Taq I T/C and -Fok I C/T polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are associated with the familial aggregation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on a population-based case-control family design, 288 family members from 27 case families and 230 family members from 27 control families were recruited. VDR gene polymorphisms were analyzed. VDR-Taq I T/C and VDR-Fok I C/T polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of VDR-Taq I TT genotype in the case families was significantly higher than that in the control families (P < 0.05) , however, the frequency of VDR-Fok I CC genotype in the case families was significantly higher than that in the control families (P < 0.05). The frequency of family members carriying Taq I T-Fok I C haplotype in the case families was significantly higher than that in the control families (OR = 1.67, P < 0.05), however, the frequency of family members carrying Taq I C-Fok I T haplotype in the case families was significantly lower than that in the control families (OR = 0. 24, P < 0.05). The similar results were found in the familial biological kinship relatives with any HBV-infected makers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VDR-Taq I and -Fok I gene polymorphisms are likely to play a substantial role in HBsAg familial aggregation.</p>

Association of-238G/A and -857C/T polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter region with outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To determine whether -238G/A and -857C/T polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene promoter were associated with outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 246 HBV self-limited infected subjects and 443 chronic hepatitis B (HB) patients were recruited in this case-control study. TNF-alpha-238G/A and -857C/T gene promoter polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of TNF-alpha-238 GG (90.7%) in chronic HB group was significantly lower than that (95.1%) in self-limited group (P = 0.041). The frequency of TNF-alpha-857 CC (79.7%) in chronic HB patients was significantly higher than that (70.9%) in self-limited infected subjects (P = 0.021). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that both TNF-alpha-238GA and -857CC were independently associated with chronic HB.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TNF-alpha promoter variants are likely to play a substantial role in influencing the outcomes of HBV infection.</p>

Association of TNFA polymorphisms with the outcomes of HBV infection / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether the TNFA promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty-eight self-limited HBV infection subjects and 207 chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequence specific primer-PCR(PCR-SSP) were used to detect the SNPs of five sites in TNFA promoter (-238G/A, -308G/A, -857C/T, -863C/A, -1031T/C). The frequency distributions of genotypes and haplotypes in different groups were analyzed by EPI and EH programs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of -238GG genotype in chronic hepatitis B patients were significantly higher than that in self-limited infection subjects (P=0.02). The frequencies of -857TT genotype in chronic hepatitis B patients were clearly lower than that in self-limited infection subjects (P=0.02). Haplotypic frequencies of GGCCT (-238/-308/-857/-863/-1031) in chronic hepatitis B patients was significantly lower than that in self-limited infection subjects (P=0.03), and the frequencies of haplotype GGCAT or GGTAT in chronic hepatitis B patients were clearly higher than those in self-limited infection subjects (P=0.0001; P=0.004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNFA promoter polymorphisms are important host genetic factors affecting the outcomes of HBV infection.</p>

Pharmacodynamical research of Jingu Tongxiao granule / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study functions of Jingu Tongxiao granule (JGTXG, treatmenting ache of bones and muscles) in antiphlogistic and antalgic aspect, invigorating the circulation of blood and absorbing clots and antitraumatic soft tissue.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Animal models of inflammation, ache, gore and traumatic soft tissue were adopted, and pharmacodynamic actions of Jingu Tongxiao granule were observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>JGTXG could conspicuously restrain inflammatory reactions of mouse ear tumid model treated by croton oil tumid and rat foot metatarsus tumid model treated by carrageenan, and restrain pain responses of mouse caused with whipping back end method by heat stimulating and of mouse caused with wriggling body method by acetic acid being injected in its abdominal cavity. It could significantly improve petechia degree in traumatic rat blood stasis model, and prominently improve raumatized limb's tumefaction degree and alleviate blood stasis, swelling and phlogistic cell soakage in traumatic rat soft tissue model. At the same time, it could prominently restrain platelet aggregation and improve whole blood viscosity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jingu Tongxiao granule has antiphlogistic and antalgic functions, invigorating the circulation of blood and absorbing clots and antitraumatic soft tissue, and it could keep curative effect of original dosage form.</p>

The Screening and Identification of Strains Biodegrading Superabsorbent / 微生物学通报

Using the superabsorbent of starch graft sodium acrylate copolymer as the only carbon source, 4 excellent strains which can utilize the synthesized superabsorbent were obtained from soil after one month's screening and purification, then the taxa of the strain were identified, i.e., two kind of actinomycetes, yeast and mould.The result shows that the superabsorbent can be degraded successfully.