Maternal hepatic venous hemodynamics and cardiac output in normal and fetal growth restricted pregnancies / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To evaluate relationship of maternal hepatic vein Doppler flow parameters and cardiac output (CO) with neonatal birth weight in uncomplicated pregnancies (UP) and pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) .
 Methods: Hepatic vein impedance index (HVI), venous pulse transit time (VPTT), and CO were measured in women with UP at the 14th-37th weeks and complicated by FGR at the 26th-37th weeks who underwent maternal hepatic hemodynamic and echocardiographic examination during the ultrasonography. After delivery, the birth weight and the birth weight percentile of each neonate in this study were recorded. Correlations among HVI, VPTT, and CO were analyzed.
 Results: In the UP group, HVI, VPTT, and CO changed with the increase of gestation. In the FGR group, HVI was higher, VPTT was shorter, CO and neonatal birth weight were obviously lower than those in the UP at the 26th-37th weeks (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: There is a series of adaptive changes in hepatic venous hemodynamics and CO in UP with the increase of gestation to meet the demand of fetal growth, while the maladaptive changes in hepatic venous hemodynamics and CO in pregnant woman may contribute to FGR.

Cloning identification and functional analysis of human IL-17A promoter

OBJECTIVE@#To conduct the cloning identification and characterization of the sequence of human IL-17A promoter so as to analyze the regulatory mechanism of the gene expression of IL-17.@*METHODS@#First of all, the potential promoter region of IL-17A was found by means of the bioinformatics methods. Then, it was cloned into the reporter vector with PCR technique. Finally, the activity of the test promoter was determined by dual luciferase reporter system.@*RESULTS@#Two transcriptional start points of the upper region, 600 bp and 1000 bp, of IL-17A were obtained by PCR clone and proved to have certain activities by dual luciferase reporter system. Also, they could be activated by IL-17A activator STAT3, which could start the expression of the reported gene.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Clone established the regulatory region of human IL-17A promoter, which provided bases to the subsequent function research.

Cloning identification and functional analysis of human IL-17A promoter

Objective To conduct the cloning identification and characterization of the sequence of human IL-17A promoter so as to analyze the regulatory mechanism of the gene expression of IL-17. Methods First of all, the potential promoter region of IL-17A was found by means of the bioinformatics methods. Then, it was cloned into the reporter vector with PCR technique. Finally, the activity of the test promoter was determined by dual luciferase reporter system. Results Two transcriptional start points of the upper region, 600 bp and 1000 bp, of IL-17A were obtained by PCR clone and proved to have certain activities by dual luciferase reporter system. Also, they could be activated by IL-17A activator STAT3, which could start the expression of the reported gene. Conclusions Clone established the regulatory region of human IL-17A promoter, which provided bases to the subsequent function research.

Tissue Doppler imaging in the evaluation of cardiac function in fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the cardiac function of fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) by using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).@*METHODS@#Peak velocity in early (E) and late (A) diastole were measured by pulsed-wave Doppler, and the peak annular velocities in systole (S'), early (E') and late (A') diastole were measured by TDI. Isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), ejection time (ET), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) were recorded. The ratios E/A, E'/A', E/E', E/(E'× S') and myocardial performance index (MPI) were calculated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, E', A', S' and E'/A' were obviously lower (P0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Both diastolic and systolic heart function were jeopardized in IUGR fetuses.

Effects of veratryl alcohol and tween 80 on ligninase production and its roles in decolorization of azo dyes by white-rot basidiomycete PM2 / 生物工程学报

Basidiomycete PM2, a lignin-degrading white rot fungus, produces lgnin peroxidase (Lip) and manganese peroxidase (Mnp) in nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures. This fungus was selected for its ability to decolorize azo group of dyes. In order to improve production of the peroxidases and rapid dye decolorizing activity by basidiomycete PM2, the addition of veratryl alcohol or Tween 80 to nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures were tested. It was found to have a large stimulatory effect on Mnp activities and decolorization rate of azo dyes. A maximum Mnp activities of 254.2 u/L with veratryl alcohol and 192.2 u/L with Tween 80 were achieved respectively. These values were about 3.4-fold and 2.5-fold higher than that obtained in the control cultures (without alcohol or Tween 80), whereas the levels of Lip activity detected were very low (about 12 u/L)in all the cultures. In further experiments using three kinds of azo dyes of congo red, orange G and orange IV, enzyme activities and dye decolorization were investigated in the above-mentioned cultures. The results showed that Mnp activities and decolorization were notably higher than those obtained in the control cultures in the presence of azo dyes. Cultures supplemented with Tween 80 were more adequate for dye decolorization. The rates of the decolorization with Tween 80 of congo red (95.4%), orange G (98.5%) and orange IV (54.4%) after 24 hours of dye incubation were higher than that supplemented with veratryl alcohol. According to the results, Mnp activities secreted by basidiomycete PM2 play an essential role in the process of dye decolorization. Tween 80 was the main factor affecting the decolorization. The analysis of structure of the three kinds of azo dyes indicats that the extent of decolorization is affected by the dye molecular structure. The types and quantity of the substituted groups on the aromatic ring of azo dyes have effect on the percentage of biological decolorization.