Seroprevalence of and Identification of Risk Factors in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence assays. We then analyzed associated risk factors. Serum samples were considered positive when reactive at a dilution of more than 1:320. Differences between groups and risk factors associated with exposure were statistically analyzed using Chi-square tests and the generalized linear model. 122 of 1,260 samples (9.68%) were positive for infection. The infection rate ranged from 0% to 30.43% and differed significantly among age groups ( < 0.01); infection rate in the 50-59 years group was significantly higher than that in other age groups. The seroprevalence of varied significantly among sites within the four provinces, and the infection rate of field workers was significantly higher than that of urban workers.

Ecological-geographic landscapes of natural plague foci in China VIII. Typing of natural plague foci / 中华流行病学杂志

Since plague is an important natural focus zoonosis, the typing of natural plague foci becomes one of the elements in understanding the nature and developing related prevention program of the disease. Natural foci of plague are composed by four fundamental parts which include Eco-geographical landscape (natural plague foci), hosts, vectors and pathogens (Yersinia pestis) that comprehensively interact through the large temporal scale of evolution. Human activities have had great impact on the foci of natural plague. Based on the published serial research papers, we tried to integrate the knowledge of each factor in natural plague foci and focusing on theoretical aspects, so as to strengthen the prevention and surveillance programs of plague to be extrapolated to other zoonosis.

A novel full-length gene of human ribosomal protein L14.22 related to human glioma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>This study was undertaken to obtain differentially expressed genes related to human glioma by cDNA microarray and the characterization of a novel full-length gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted form human glioma and normal brain tissue, and mRNA was used as a probe. The results of hybridization procedure were scanned with the computer system. The gene named 507E08 cone was subsequently analyzed by northern blot, bioinformatic approach, and protein expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifteen differentially expressed genes were obtained from human glioma by hybridization and scanning for four times. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the 507E08 clone was low expressed in human brain tissue and over expressed in human glioma tissues. The analysis of BLASTn and BLASTx showed that the 507E08 clone was a novel full-length gene, which codes 203 amino acid of protein and is called human ribosomal protein 14.22 gene. The nucleotide sequence had been submitted to the GenBank with the accession number of AF329277. After expression in E. coli., protein yielded a major band of apparent molecular mass 22 kDa on an SDS-PAGE gel.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>cDNA microarray technology can be successfully used to identify differentially expressed genes. The novel full-length gene of human ribosomal protein 13.22 may be correlated with the development of human glioma.</p>

cDNA microarray in isolation of novel differentially expressed genes related to human glioma and clone of a novel full-length gene / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>This investigation was undertaken to obtain differentially expressed genes related to human glioma using cDNA microarray and the characterization of one novel full-length gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted from human glioma tissues and normal brain tissues, and mRNA was used to make probes. After hybridization and washing, the results were scanned using a computer system. The gene named 681F05 clone was an expressed gene to human glioma through four-time hybridization and scanning. Subsequently northern blot analysis was performed by northern blot, 5'RACE and bioinformatics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifteen differentially expressed genes to human glioma were obtained through four-time hybridization and scanning. Northern blot analysis confirmed that 681F05 clone was low-expressed in human brain tissues and over-expressed in human glioma tissues. The analysis of BLASTn and BLASTx showed that 681F05 clone is two cDNA clones encoding two novel proteins that are highly identified to the cyclophilin isoform 10 of C. Elgans, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the two cDNA clones are two different splicing variants of a novel cycophilin-like gene (PPIL3a and PPIL3b).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>cDNA microarray technology can be successfully used to identify differentially expressed genes. The novel full-length gene of human PPIL3 may be correlated with the formation of human glioma.</p>

Expression and purification of three fusion proteins containing a single B-cell epitope (beta5, beta9 or beta8) of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit / 生物工程学报

The possibility of using a subunit or fragment of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as an immunogen for birth control has been actively explored for many years. This protein homone is produced by the fertilized egg and is required for implantation of the blastocyst into the maternal uterus and the maitenance of pregnancy. In previous studies, several bio-synthesized hCG chimeric peptides (CP) that contain three linear B-cell epitopes (beta5, beta9 and beta8) of beta-hCG subunit together with various foreign 'promiscuous' T-cell epitopes were constructed and expressed as potential new hCG vaccine immunogens. In order to detect antibodies to each of the individual B-cell epitopes present in the animal antiserum raised against the hCG CPs, we decided to construct three recombinant proteins, each contains a single target B-cell epitope (betaE) of beta-hCG. Two sets of DNA fragments were chemically synthesized encoding the beta5, beta9 and beta8 epitopes (betaE) 45 approximately 52, 113 approximately 116 or 133 approximately 144 of beta-hCG subunit and were inserted into the downstream of streptavidin (Stv) gene in pTSA18 separately, with or without an extra TAA codon at the 3'-terminals of the genes. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that only Stv-betaE (-beta5, -beta9 or -beta8) fusion genes set with the TAA codon can be expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS strain at high level after 1mM IPTG induction for 4 hours. Additionally, these fusion proteins can all be recognized by specific polyclonal antiserum (RS-4157) generated upon immunization with the loop peptide 38 approximately 57 of beta-hCG, monoclonal antibody (mAb) FB12 to beta9 epitope and mAb OT3A that specially recognizes reporter sequence 133 approximately 139 of beta8 epitope 137 approximately 144. Each of the proteins can be purified to 95% relative homogeneity using an improved method of preparative gel polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The yields were 5 mg per 1 L culture. The three target Stv-betaE fusion proteins will be useful in determining the immunogenicity of designed hCG CPs and hCG vaccines, including hCG DNA vaccines.