Expression analysis of transcription factors in sugarcane during cold stress / Análise de expressão de fatores de transcrição em cana-de-açúcar sob estresse por frio

Abstract Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

Resumo Fatores de transcrição (FT) são uma ampla classe de genes em plantas e podem regular a expressão de outros genes em resposta a vários estresses ambientais (estresses bióticos e abióticos). No presente estudo, a atividade do fator de transcrição na cana-de-açúcar foi examinada durante o estresse pelo frio. Inicialmente, as leituras de transcrição de RNA de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (ROC22 e GT08-1108) sob estresse frio foram baixadas do banco de dados SRA NCBI. As leituras foram alinhadas em um genoma de referência e as análises de expressão diferencial foram realizadas com o pacote R / Bioconductor edgeR. Com base em nossas análises no cultivar ROC22, 963 genes TF foram significativamente regulados positivamente sob estresse pelo frio entre um total de 5.649 genes regulados positivamente, enquanto 293 genes TF foram regulados negativamente entre um total de 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. No cultivar GT08-1108, 974 genes TF foram identificados entre 5.649 genes regulados positivamente e 283 genes TF foram encontrados entre 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. Os fatores de transcrição, em sua maioria, foram anotados com categorias GO relacionadas à ligação de proteína, ligação de fator de transcrição, ligação específica de sequência de DNA, complexo de fator de transcrição, atividade de fator de transcrição em RNA polimerase II, atividade de fator de transcrição de ligação de ácido nucleico, atividade de corepressor de transcrição, sequência específica da região reguladora, atividade do fator de transcrição da RNA polimerase II, atividade do cofator do fator de transcrição, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor do plastídio, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor da RNA polimerase I, polimerase II e RNA polimerase III. As descobertas dos resultados acima ajudarão a identificar fatores de transcrição expressos diferencialmente durante o estresse pelo frio. Ele também fornece uma análise abrangente da regulação da atividade de transcrição de muitos genes. Portanto, este estudo fornece base molecular para melhorar a tolerância ao frio em cana-de-açúcar e outras gramíneas economicamente importantes.

Expression analysis of transcription factors in sugarcane during cold stress / Análise de expressão de fatores de transcrição em cana-de-açúcar sob estresse por frio

Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

Fatores de transcrição (FT) são uma ampla classe de genes em plantas e podem regular a expressão de outros genes em resposta a vários estresses ambientais (estresses bióticos e abióticos). No presente estudo, a atividade do fator de transcrição na cana-de-açúcar foi examinada durante o estresse pelo frio. Inicialmente, as leituras de transcrição de RNA de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (ROC22 e GT08-1108) sob estresse frio foram baixadas do banco de dados SRA NCBI. As leituras foram alinhadas em um genoma de referência e as análises de expressão diferencial foram realizadas com o pacote R / Bioconductor edgeR. Com base em nossas análises no cultivar ROC22, 963 genes TF foram significativamente regulados positivamente sob estresse pelo frio entre um total de 5.649 genes regulados positivamente, enquanto 293 genes TF foram regulados negativamente entre um total de 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. No cultivar GT08-1108, 974 genes TF foram identificados entre 5.649 genes regulados positivamente e 283 genes TF foram encontrados entre 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. Os fatores de transcrição, em sua maioria, foram anotados com categorias GO relacionadas à ligação de proteína, ligação de fator de transcrição, ligação específica de sequência de DNA, complexo de fator de transcrição, atividade de fator de transcrição em RNA polimerase II, atividade de fator de transcrição de ligação de ácido nucleico, atividade de corepressor de transcrição, sequência específica da região reguladora, atividade do fator de transcrição da RNA polimerase II, atividade do cofator do fator de transcrição, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor do plastídio, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor da RNA polimerase I, polimerase II e RNA polimerase III. As descobertas dos resultados acima ajudarão a identificar fatores de transcrição expressos diferencialmente durante o estresse pelo frio. Ele também fornece uma análise abrangente da regulação da atividade [...].

Expression analysis of transcription factors in sugarcane during cold stress

Abstract Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

Resumo Fatores de transcrição (FT) são uma ampla classe de genes em plantas e podem regular a expressão de outros genes em resposta a vários estresses ambientais (estresses bióticos e abióticos). No presente estudo, a atividade do fator de transcrição na cana-de-açúcar foi examinada durante o estresse pelo frio. Inicialmente, as leituras de transcrição de RNA de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (ROC22 e GT08-1108) sob estresse frio foram baixadas do banco de dados SRA NCBI. As leituras foram alinhadas em um genoma de referência e as análises de expressão diferencial foram realizadas com o pacote R / Bioconductor edgeR. Com base em nossas análises no cultivar ROC22, 963 genes TF foram significativamente regulados positivamente sob estresse pelo frio entre um total de 5.649 genes regulados positivamente, enquanto 293 genes TF foram regulados negativamente entre um total de 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. No cultivar GT08-1108, 974 genes TF foram identificados entre 5.649 genes regulados positivamente e 283 genes TF foram encontrados entre 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. Os fatores de transcrição, em sua maioria, foram anotados com categorias GO relacionadas à ligação de proteína, ligação de fator de transcrição, ligação específica de sequência de DNA, complexo de fator de transcrição, atividade de fator de transcrição em RNA polimerase II, atividade de fator de transcrição de ligação de ácido nucleico, atividade de corepressor de transcrição, sequência específica da região reguladora, atividade do fator de transcrição da RNA polimerase II, atividade do cofator do fator de transcrição, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor do plastídio, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor da RNA polimerase I, polimerase II e RNA polimerase III. As descobertas dos resultados acima ajudarão a identificar fatores de transcrição expressos diferencialmente durante o estresse pelo frio. Ele também fornece uma análise abrangente da regulação da atividade de transcrição de muitos genes. Portanto, este estudo fornece base molecular para melhorar a tolerância ao frio em cana-de-açúcar e outras gramíneas economicamente importantes.

A Contrast-Enhanced MDCT Study on the Morphology of Renal Vessels, Their Variations and Clinical Implications

Introduction: The kidneys—the main organs of the excretory system, are supplied by a paired renal artery, originating from the Abdominal Aorta at the level of a disc between L1 and L2 and drained by a paired renal vein exiting from the hilum of the kidney to the Inferior vena cava. Aim: To evaluate the morphology of renal vessels, their variations & clinical implications during renal surgeries in the subjects of the North India population by contrast-enhanced MDCT. Materials and Method: The present study was conceptualized & carried out in the Department of Anatomy, in collaboration with the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Santosh Medical College & Hospital, Ghaziabad and from Dr. O.P Gupta Imaging Centre, Meerut. This study was performed on the 108 patients who were referred for abdominal CECT examination with suspected abdominal pathologies. Contrast-enhanced MDCT scan images of the Abdomen were reviewed for normal anatomy of renal vessels and their variants. Result: Out of 108 patients, anatomical variations of the renal vessel were found in 72 (66.66%) patients. Variations of the renal artery were found in 56 patients (51.85%). Out of these 56 patients, 47 had supplementary renal artery, 17 had early branching of the renal artery and 8 patients had both supplementary and early branching of the renal artery. Supplementary renal arteries were seen in 15 patients on the right side, 16 patients on the left side & 16 patients bilaterally. Earlier branching of the renal artery was found in 9 patients on the right side, 10 patients on the left side and in 2 patients bilaterally. Variations of the renal vein were more commonly found on the right side, late renal vein confluence was seen in 28 (25.92%) patients and supplementary renal veins in 9 (8.3%) patients. On the left side, 2 (1.85%) patients had late renal vein confluence and 2 (1.85%) patients had retroaortic vein. Conclusion: Variations of the renal artery are found frequently. Morphological evaluation of renal vessels is useful for planning and performing the endovascular, laparoscopic and urological procedure.

Avances de la bioinformática en Costa Rica: vista retrospectiva y perspectivas / Bioinformatics advances in Costa Rica: retrospective view and perspectives

Resumen Introducción: La disciplina científica de la bioinformática tiene el potencial de generar aplicaciones innovadoras para las sociedades humanas. Costa Rica, pequeña en tamaño y población en comparación con otros países de América Latina, ha ido adoptando la disciplina de manera progresiva. El reconocer los avances permite determinar hacia dónde puede dirigirse el país en este campo, así como su contribución a la región latinoamericana. Objetivo: En este manuscrito se reporta evidencia de la evolución de la bioinformática en Costa Rica, para identificar debilidades y fortalezas que permitan definir acciones a futuro. Métodos: Se realizaron búsquedas en bases de datos de publicaciones científicas y repositorios de secuencias, así como información de actividades de capacitación, redes, infraestructura, páginas web y fuentes de financiamiento. Resultados: Se observan avances importantes desde el 2010, incluyendo un aumento en oportunidades de entrenamiento y número de publicaciones, aportes significativos a las bases de datos de secuencias y conexiones por medio de redes. Sin embargo, ciertas áreas, como la masa crítica y la financiación requieren más desarrollo. La comunidad científica y sus patrocinadores deben promover la investigación basada en bioinformática, invertir en la formación de estudiantes de posgrado, aumentar la formación de profesionales, crear oportunidades laborales para carreras en bioinformática y promover colaboraciones internacionales a través de redes. Conclusiones: Se sugiere que para experimentar los beneficios de las aplicaciones de la bioinformática se deben fortalecer tres aspectos clave: la comunidad científica, la infraestructura de investigación y las oportunidades de financiamiento. El impacto de tal inversión sería el desarrollo de proyectos ambiciosos pero factibles y colaboraciones extendidas dentro de la región latinoamericana. Esto permitiría realizar contribuciones significativas para abordar los desafíos globales y la aplicación de nuevos enfoques de investigación, innovación y transferencia de conocimiento para el desarrollo de la economía, dentro de un marco de ética de la investigación.

Abstract Introduction: The scientific discipline of bioinformatics has the potential to generate innovative applications for human societies. Costa Rica, small in size and population compared to other Latin American countries, has been progressively adopting the discipline. Recognizing progress makes it possible to determine where the country can go in this field, as well as its contribution to the Latin American region. Objective: This manuscript reports evidence of the evolution of bioinformatics in Costa Rica, to identify weaknesses and strengths allowing future actions plans. Methods: We searched databases of scientific publications and sequence repositories, as well as information on training activities, networks, infrastructure, web pages and funding sources. Results: Important advances have been observed since 2010, such as increases in training opportunities and the number of publications, significant contributions to the sequence databases and connections through networks. However, areas such as critical mass and financing require further development. The scientific community and its sponsors should promote bioinformatics-based research, invest in graduate student training, increase professional training, create career opportunities in bioinformatics, and promote international collaborations through networks. Conclusions: It is suggested that in order to experience the benefits of bioinformatics applications, three key aspects must be strengthened: the scientific community, the research infrastructure, and funding opportunities. The impact of such investment would be the development of ambitious but feasible projects and extended collaborations within the Latin American region and abroad. This would allow significant contributions to address global challenges and the implementation of new approaches to research, innovation and knowledge transfer for the development of the economy, within an ethics of research framework.

d-δ-tocopherol inhibits the growth of human lens epithelial SRA cells and its related mechanisms / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the effect of d-δ-tocopherol on the growth of human lens epithelial SRA cells and its related molecular mechanism, and to provide experimental basis for the treatment and prevention of posterior cataract with d-δ-tocopherol. <p>METHODS: The experiment was divided into 6 groups, blank control group and experimental group, that is, five different concentrations of d-δ-tocopherol(40, 60, 80, 100, 120)μmoL/L. The proliferation inhibition rate of each group was detected by thiazolam(MTT)assay. The morphology of human lens epithelial SRA cells was observed under inverted microscope. Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of bcl-2, bax, Cyclin D1, P21 protein was detected by Western Blot(WB). <p>RESULTS: With the increase of d-δ-tocopherol concentration, the SRA cells decreased significantly compared with the control group; the MTT results showed that with the increase of d-δ-tocopherol concentration, the inhibition rate of cell proliferation increased gradually, the difference was statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.05); cell cycle: with the increase of the concentration of tocopherol drugs in the experimental group, the proportion of cells in the S phase increased gradually compared with the control group, the cells were blocked in the S phase, the difference was statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.05); Western blotting: after 48h of d-δ-tocopherol intervention human lens epithelial SRA cells, the P21, Cyclin D1 and bcl-2 expression of human lens epithelial cells gradually decreased, and the expression of bax gradually increased, which was statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.01). <p>CONCLUSION: d-δ-tocopherol can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human lens epithelial SRA cells and block the cell cycle in S phase. d-δ-tocopherol can inhibit the proliferation of human lens epithelial cells. The proliferation of human lens epithelial SRA cells may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of bcl-2, P21, Cyclin D1 and inducing the expression of bax.

Performance of different biofilters in a recirculating system for rainbow trout farming / Desempeño de diferentes biofiltros en un sistema de recirculación para cultivo de trucha arcoiris

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the performance of different biofilters in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for trout farming. Materials and methods. It was used a 1m3 plastic tank for fries farming; fabric bags to solids retention; a submersible pump; a constant water level and flow distribution box; six up flow biofilters in 3" PVC tube; sand of D10=0.45mm as carrier. The reactors were operated at local temperature and with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 11 min, the biofilters were inoculated in the next way: R1-Control: RAS water; R2-Fish culture farm sludges; R3- Water from aerated lagoon of Antanas landfill (AL); R4-Aquarium sediments; R5- Aerated lagoon of AL sludges; R6-Sludges from sulfidogenic reactor of AL. The weight gain (WG) and the food conversion (FC) were evaluated, some physic-chemical parameters were monitored and the nitrogen and suspended solids removal efficiency were evaluated. Results. The WG of the cultured animals was 1.58 g/d and the FC was 1.41. There were no differences for ammonium and nitrite removal between the reactors; the average removal efficiencies were: ammonium 4.78%, nitrite 27.2%, nitrate 32.3%, suspended solids 37.5%; R4 and R5 reactors presented the best performance on nitrate removal, with average efficiencies of 47.4% and 42.8%. R3 presented the best SS removal with an average of 58.2%. Conclusions. The RAS water treatment system guaranteed appropriated liquid quality conditions for trout farming; the most efficient reactor for removal of the different forms of nitrogen was the inoculated with the aerated lagoon of AL sludges.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño de diferentes biofiltros en un sistema de recirculación (SRA) para cultivo de trucha arcoiris. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó: un tanque de 1m3 para cultivo de alevines, bolsas de lienzo para retención de sólidos, bomba sumergible, caja de nivel constante y distribución de flujo, seis biofiltros en tubo de PVC de 3", arena con D10=0.45mm como medio soporte. Los biofiltros se operaron a temperatura ambiente y con tiempo de retención hidráulica (TRH) de 11 min, se inocularon así: R1-Control: Aguas del SRA; R2-Lodos estación piscícola; R3-Agua Laguna aireada relleno sanitario Antanas (RSA); R4-Sedimentos acuarios; R5-Lodos laguna aireada RSA; R6-Lodos reactor sulfidogénico RSA. Se evaluó la ganancia de peso (GP) y la conversión alimenticia (CA), se monitorearon parámetros físico-químicos y se evaluó la eficiencia de remoción de nitrógeno y sólidos suspendidos. Resultados. La GP de los animales fue de 1.58 g/d y la CA de 1.41. No hubo diferencias para remoción de amonio ni nitritos entre reactores; las eficiencias medias de remoción fueron: amonio 4.78%, nitrito 27.2%, nitrato 32.3%, sólidos suspendidos 37.5%. Los reactores R4 y R5 presentaron mejor remoción de nitratos, con eficiencias medias de 47.4% y 42.8%. El R3 reportó la mejor remoción de SS con promedio del 58.2%. Conclusiones. El sistema de tratamiento del agua en el SRA garantizó condiciones de calidad del líquido, apropiadas para el cultivo de la trucha; el reactor más eficiente para la remoción de las formas de nitrógeno evaluadas fue el inoculado con lodos de la laguna aireada del RSA.

Desempeño de tanques decantadores de sólidos en un sistema de recirculación para producción de tilapia / Performance of sedimentation tanks in a recirculating system for tilapia production

Objetivo. Comparar la eficiencia de remoción de sólidos, turbidez y color aparente en un decantador convencional y uno de columna en un sistema de recirculación acuícola (SRA) para cultivo de tilapia. Materiales y métodos. Se cultivaron tilapias con densidad entre 30 y 33 kg/m3 en un SRA, el cual constó de: caja de nivel constante, tubería en PVC, tres tanques de cultivo, decantador convencional de flujo horizontal (D.Con), decantador de columna de flujo ascendente (D.Col), reactor de lecho fluidizado trifásico, reactor para transferencia de oxígeno, compresor, blower, electrobomba. El D.Con operó con volumen útil (VU) de 1.4 m3 y tiempo de retención hidráulica (TRH) de 2.94 h, fue vaciado una vez por semana para lavado y colecta del lodo, representando sustitución del 55% del volumen del sistema. El D.Col operó con 0.30 m3 de VU y TRH de 0.553 h. Se realizaron 3 sangrados diarios, representando sustitución semanal de 50% del volumen. Resultados. Las eficiencias promedio de remoción fueron: para sólidos totales de 34.01 y 44.44%; sólidos suspendidos 64.45% y 71.71%; sólidos volátiles 21.10 y 45.65%; para turbidez 65.51 y 62.79%; para color aparente 56.37 y 50.91%, respectivamente en el D.Con y el D.Col. Conclusiones. Ambos decantadores son útiles en la remoción de los parámetros estudiados y presentaron comportamientos semejantes en remoción de turbidez y color aparente. Sin embargo, el D.Col es más eficiente que el convencional para remoción de los sólidos, ocupa menor espacio, menor volumen y requiere menor porcentaje de renovación, mostrando viabilidad para su utilización en SRA.

Objective. To compare the removal efficiency of solids, turbidity and apparent color between a conventional and a column settling tanks in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for tilapia farming. Materials and methods. Tilapia with a stocking density between 30 and 33 kg/m3 were cultured in a RAS consisting of a water level control box, PVC piping system, three plastic tanks for culture, conventional horizontal flow settling tank (Con.ST), column vertical flow settling tank (Col.ST), three phase fluidized bed reactor, oxygen transfer reactor, air compressor, air blower, centrifugal pump. The Con.ST operated at a volume of 1.4 m3 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.94 h; and was drained weekly for washing and sludge collection, representing a 55%discharge of system water volume. The Col.ST operated with a volume of 0.30 m3 and HRT of 0.553 h. Three daily partial draining operations were executed, representing a discharge of 50% of the system volume. Results. The mean solids removal efficiencies were: 34.01 and 44.44%for total solids; 64.45 and 71.71% for suspended solids; 21.10 and 45.65% volatile solids; 65.51% and 62.79% for turbidity; and 56.37 and 50.91% for apparent color, respectively for Con.ST and Col.ST. Conclusions. The two settling devices are useful on removal of the studied parameters and presented similar performance on turbidity and apparent color removal; however, the Col.ST was more efficient than Con.ST for solids removal, requires less space, less volume and requires less discharge water volume, displaying feasibility for its use on RAS.

The study on the expressions of circulatory CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells and the plasma levels of soluble CD25 in septic patients / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To explore the CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell percentage and plasma levels of soluble CD25 molecules in peripheral blood of septic patients and their clinical value through prospective study. Method A total of 37 septic patients and 15 non-infectious SIRS patients, who conformed to the criteria of SIRS and sepsis which proposed by American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference ( ACCP/SCCM ) in 1997, were collected in ICU of Ruijin Hospital ( Shanghai Jiaotong University) from February 2009 to February 2010. Twenty-four health people were from Medical Center of Ruijin Hospital, who were excluded infection and (or) autoimmune diseases. There were 26 male and 11 female in sepsis group, average age ( 61.67 ± 11.87 ) years old; 8 male and 7 female in SIRS group, average age (67.06 ± 12.57)years old; 14 male and 10 female in health control, average age (56.54 ± 6.37 )years old. All selected patrents were excluded the autoimmune diseases and (or) patients within recent (30 days) had used or now used immunosuppressive agents. We therefore measured the Treg cell percentage in peripheral blood by Flow Cytometry and the plasma levels of IL-2sRa, IL-4, IFN-γ by ELISA. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance or nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results ① The percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells among septic patients, SIRS patients, and control group was: ( 66.82 ± 21.79 ) %, ( 51.79 ± 21.79 ) %, ( 56.45 ± 10. 68 ) %, respectively. septic patients showed the highest percentages of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell among CD4 + CD25 + T cells(P ＜ 0.05 ). ② The plasma levels of soluble CD25 in septic patients (425. 619 ± 270.12 ) were significantly higher than SIRS patients (381. 664 ± 189.83) and the control group ( 164. 1 32 ± 56.37 ) ( P ＜ 0.05 ). ③ The correlation analysis between the concentration of soluble CD25 molecules in plasma and the ratio of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells to CD4 + CD25 + T cells showed Spearman correlation coefficient =0.390, P = 0.003 ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion: the expression of natural regulatory T cells characteristically increased in septic patients. And the levels of soluble CD25 in peripheral blood were related to the percentages of natural regulatory T cells, which simplified the assessment of the immune status in Septic patients.

Characterisation of the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense isolates from Tanzania using serum resistance associated gene as molecular marker

Serum resistance associated (SRA) gene has been found to confer resistance to the innate trypanolytic factor (TLF) found in normal human serum; thus allowing Trypanosoma brucei brucei to survive exposure to normal human serum. This study was carried out to examine the presence of SRA gene and identify the origin of T. b. rhodesiense isolates from three districts in Tanzania, namely Kibondo, Kasulu and Urambo. Twenty-six T. b. rhodesiense isolates and two references T. b. rhodesiense isolates from Kenya were examined for SRA gene using simple Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. The gene was found to be present in all 26 T. b. rhodesiense isolates including the two references isolates from Kenya. The SRA gene was confirmed to be specific to T. b. rhodesiense since it could not be amplified from all other Trypanozoon including T. b. gambiense; and gave an amplified fragment of the expected size (3.9kb), confirming that all these isolates were T. b. rhodesiense of the northern variant. Although the geographic distributions of T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense are clearly localized to west/central Africa and eastern Africa, respectively, natural movement of people and recent influx of large number of refugees into Tanzania from the Democratic Republic of Congo, could have brought T. b. gambiense in western Tanzania. The overlap in distribution of both of these pathogenic sub-species could result in erroneous diagnoses since both trypanosome sub-species are morphologically identical, and currently serologic methods have low specificity. Both the susceptible and resistant T.b. rhodesiense isolates possessed the SRA gene suggesting that there is no correlation between drug resistance and presence of SRA gene. The use of SRA gene helps to confirm the identity and diversity of some of the isolates resistant to various drugs.

Significance of scavenger receptor A in rat liver tissues during acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the expression of scavenger receptor A(SR-A) in rat liver tissues during acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis(AOSC) and its relations with inflammatory mediators and hepatic injury.Methods Wistar rat models of AOSC were reproduced by ligating choledochus and inside injecting Escherichia coli O111∶B4.The plasma endotoxin concentrations,TNF-? levels and expressions of SR-A protein and mRNA in liver tissues were assayed by limulus test,ELISA,immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR,respectively.Pathological changes of liver tissues were observed under light microscope.Results With the time prolonged,the plasma endotoxin concentrations and the TNF-? levels gradually increased,but the SR-A protein and mRNA expressions decreased in the rats of experimental group,significantly different with those in sham operation group and normal saline group(P