Cloning and functional analysis of the promoter of a maize starch synthase III gene (ZmDULL1).

The ZmDULL1 gene encodes a starch synthase and is a determinant of the structure of endosperm starch in maize (Zea mays L.). However, little is known regarding the regulatory mechanism of the ZmDULL1 gene. In this study, we isolated and characterized the ZmDULL1 promoter (PDULL1), which is the 5' flanking region of ZmDULL1 in maize. Sequence analysis showed that several cis-acting elements important for endosperm expression (GCN4_motif and AACA-element) were located within the promoter. A series of PDULL1 deletion derivatives, PDULL1-1-PDULL1-4, from the translation start code (-1676, -1216, -740, and -343) were fused to the ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Each deletion construct was transformed into rice using the Agrobacterium-mediated method, and then GUS activity was measured in transgenic plants. The results showed that PDULL1 was an endosperm-specific promoter. Further analysis showed that the promoter sequence (-343 to -1 base pairs) was sufficient for mediating GUS gene expression in endosperm. These results indicate that the region from -343 to -1 base pairs of PDULL1 is valuable for transgenic rice breeding and genetic engineering studies.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of surgical-site infection.

BACKGROUND: Surgical-site infections (SSIs) increase morbidity and mortality in surgical patients and represent an economic burden to healthcare systems. Experiments have shown that triclosan-coated sutures (TCS) are beneficial in the prevention of SSI, although the results from individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inconclusive. A meta-analysis of available RCTs was performed to evaluate the efficacy of TCS in the prevention of SSI. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science(®), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and internet-based trial registries for RCTs comparing the effect of TCS and conventional uncoated sutures on SSIs was conducted until June 2012. The primary outcome investigated was the incidence of SSI. Pooled relative risks with 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) were estimated with RevMan 5.1.6. RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs involving 3720 participants were included. No heterogeneity of statistical significance across studies was observed. TCS showed a significant advantage in reducing the rate of SSI by 30 per cent (relative risk 0·70, 95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 0·85; P < 0·001). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent results in favour of TCS in adult patients, abdominal procedures, and clean or clean-contaminated surgical wounds. CONCLUSION: TCS demonstrated a significant beneficial effect in the prevention of SSI after surgery.

[Isoelectric focusing analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscolex antigens].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the components of the crude antigens of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces. METHODS: Isoelectric focusing was carried out to fractionate the protein components of E. multilocularis protoscoleces. The individual fractions were collected and subjected to SDS-PAGE, the gels were analyzed by a gel analysis system. RESULTS: The pI values of individual fractions varied from 4.0 to 8.5, while the molecule weights of main protein bands were 72/73, 62/63, 42/44, 35/36, 34 and 21/22 kDa. CONCLUSION: An alternative separation method of crude antigens of Echinococcus multilocularis was established.

Immunohistochemical study of gastrin in colorectal carcinoma tissues and adjacent mucosa.

AIM: To study gastrin expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues and adjacent mucosa and discuss the function of gastrin in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Gastrin expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues and adjacent mucosa was examined in 58 cases using immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopy. RESULTS: A total of 35.1% of colorectal carcinoma transitional mucosa (TM), 48.3% of nontypical dysplasia mucosa and 60.3% of carcinoma tissue were positive for gastrin expression (P < 0.05). Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that protein A gold (PAG) granules localized to different electron-dense secretory granules in carcinoma cells, the intercellular spaces, and the microvillar membrane surface. CONCLUSION: Gastrin expression in colorectal carcinoma tissue and adjacent mucosa, and the release of gastrin by carcinoma may be an initiating factor in carcinoma occurrence and development. Positive gastrin expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues can serve as a differentiation marker.

[A clinicopathological analysis of 70 cases of liver alveolar echinococcosis with a comment of the prognostic factors].

As to the geographical distribution of the 70 cases of liver alveolar echinococcosis in the present series, the highest incidence was found in Gansu province (82.8%), where most of the patients came from Zhang county (65.6%). Female outnumbered slightly male. Most patients were young and in robust years of their life (98.8%). The most frequent symptom was liver mass (56.4%) and the next abdominal pain (28.2%). Imaging examination and immunological test were helpful to the diagnosis. Under microscopic observation the hyperplastic bud from germinal membrane of liver alveococcus cyst wall comprised a few nuclei and showed exogenous or endogenous budding. According to whether alveococcus proliferation was present or not, pathological types of regressive grade I and hyperplastic grade II were discerned. Resection was not done in 34 cases during exploratory laparotomy, but drainage was performed in 8 cases for alveococcus necrotic pseudocyst and cholecstostomy was done in one case for jaundice. Albendazole or/and traditional Chinese medicine were administered in 35 cases. The prognosis of the patients in relevant to some factors such as sex, age, pathology, symptom and treatment was discussed.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of praziquantel-liposome against alveococcosis].

In this paper, praziquantel, an anti-hydatidosis drug, was encapsulated with liposome by REV (Reverse-phase-evaporation) method, the encapsulated percentage was 60%. The drug distribution dynamics in mice of both praziquantel (PZQ) and praziquantel liposome (PZQ-Lip) were determined using RP-HPLC method. The results indicated that the drug concentration of blood, liver and spleen in the PZQ-Lip group was higher than those in the PZQ group from 1/2 to 16 hours post ip. the t1/2 of the former was considerably prolonged. The toxicity of PZQ-Lip tested by LD50 was decreased about one fourth as compared with PZQ (3372 vs. 2,454 mg/kg). There was a significant difference in the cyst inhibition rate between PZQ-Lip group (68.7%) and PZQ group (14.3%) (P < 0.01) as shown by the results of secondary alveocococcosis mice treated with either drug at 500 mg/kg.d x 12 d for four consecutive courses. Histological observation of the germinal layer after treatment showed that the damage of PZQ-Lip group was more severe than that of PZQ group. The ultrastructural observation showed that both drugs had marked effects on the organelles of cells. The above experiments indicated that the efficacy of PZQ-Lip was more effective than PZQ for treatment of alveococcosis.

[Preliminary observation of infectivity of isolated alveolar hydatid after cryopreservation].

Alveolar hydatids of Echinococcus multilocularis obtained from the peritoneal cavity of mice were subject to freezing at -10 degrees C and -30 degrees C respectively. After 130-200 days' storage, the alveolar hydatids were transferred into the mouse peritoneal cavity for viability and infectivity testing. It was found that the alveolar hydatids stored at -10 degrees C were more severely damaged than those stored at -30 degrees C. The viability of the isolated alveococcus lasted half a year at -30 degrees C.