Comparative proteomic and genomic analyses of Brucella abortus biofilm and planktonic cells.

The present study aimed to explore the differences in protein and gene expression of Brucella abortus cultured under biofilm and planktonic conditions. The proteins unique to biofilms and planktonic B. abortus were separated by two­dimensional (2­D) electrophoresis and then identified by matrix­assisted laser desorption/ionization­tandem time of flight­mass spectrometry (MALDI­TOF/TOF­MS). High­throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed genes between B. abortus cultured under biofilm and planktonic conditions. The proteins and genes identified by proteomic and genomic analyses were further evaluated via western blot and reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT­qPCR) analyses. 2­D electrophoresis identified 20 differentially expressed protein spots between biofilms and planktonic cells, which corresponded to 18 individual proteins (12 downregulated and 6 upregulated) after MALDI­TOF/TOF­MS analysis, including elongation factor Tu and enolase. RT­qPCR analysis revealed that all of the 18 genes were downregulated in biofilms compared with planktonic cells. Western blot analysis identified 9 downregulated and 3 upregulated proteins. High­throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analyses identified 14 function and pathway­associated genes (e.g., BAbS19_I14970). RT­qPCR analysis of the 14 genes showed that they were upregulated in biofilm compared with in planktonic state. In conclusion, these differentially expressed genes may play important roles in bacterial defense, colonization, invasion, and virulence.

Clinical efficacy and ultrasound inspection of the treatment of hypertensive heart patients with Valsartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide.

To observe and analyze the clinical efficacy and ultrasound detection results of treatment of hypertensive patients with heart disease with valsartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide. The 160 hypertensive patients with heart disease who were treated in our hospital were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into study group and reference group, each with 80 patients. Where, the reference group was solely treated with valsartan, while the study group received hydrochlorothiazide treatment on this basis. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were observed and analyzed. Comparison of the overall treatment efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups showed that the study group had more significant advantages than the reference group, P<0.05; in comparison of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure after treatment between the two groups, the study group had higher improvement degree than the reference group, P<0.05; ultrasonic ECG inspection showed that the study group was superior to the reference group with better recovery in indexes including left ventricular mass index, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular ejection fraction, P<0.05. The combination of Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide for hypertensive patients with heart disease can significantly improve the treatment effect and significantly reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, it is worthy of popularization and application.

[Changes of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels on coronary smooth muscle cells from diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK channel) on coronary smooth muscle cells from diabetic rats. METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced rat diabetic animal model was used. Coronary smooth muscle cells were isolated by enzyme digestion. BK currents in control and diabetic groups were recorded by patch clamp technique in whole cell configuration, and BK channel protein expression was detected by Western blot. Calcium concentration was measured by fluorescence assay. RESULTS: Compared with control group, BK current densities in diabetic group were significantly decreased when test potentials > 100 mV (P < 0.05). BK current densities were (275 ± 40) pA/pF in control group (n = 8) and (70 ± 10) pA/pF in diabetic group (n = 6) at 150 mV test potentials. α-subunit protein expression was similar between the groups (P > 0.05), however, ß1-subunit protein expression was significantly reduced in diabetic group than in control group (P < 0.05). Calcium concentrations were significantly increased in diabetic group control group (151 ± 18) nmol/L (n = 6) than in control group (92 ± 7) nmol/L (n = 5, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Observed ß1-subunit downregulation, BK current density decrease and cytosolic calcium concentration increase in smooth muscle cells of diabetic coronary arteries may be associated with coronary dysfunction in diabetic rats.

[The pathological observation of acute intoxication by Alangium Chinese in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathological change of mice organ intoxicated by Alangium Chinese and its poisoning mechanism. METHODS: Mice were intoxicated by gavage with extract of Alangium Chinese. Then the histopathologic examination was made for evaluating the pathological changes in the organs of the poisoned mice by HE staining. RESULTS: The main pathological changes included alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary interstitial hemorrhage, sinus hepaticus expansion and congestion, hepatocyte edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, congestion and hemorrhage of other organs. CONCLUSION: The main target organs or tissue of Alangium Chinese are the lungs, liver and vascular smooth muscle. There is correlation between the toxic effect and the dosage.

[Rapid detection of salmonella in food by using fluorescently labeled phage O-I].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid detection method for Salmonella in food by using specific Salmonella-phage O-I. METHODS: One hundred bacteria strains and 120 food sample isolates were infected using fluorescently labeled O-I phage genome with SYBR gold stain (a nucleic acid dye, 1 x working solution), then were observed under epi-fluorescence microscopy. The sensitivity of the method was tested. RESULTS: Among the 100 strains infected with O-I/SYBR gold stain, 40 Salmonella strains exhibited rod fluorescence. Other bacteria including 10 Proteus, 20 Shigella, 20 E. coli and 10 Staphylococcus did not exhibit this feature The sensitivity of detecting Salmonella was 10 CFU/100 microL. The detection for 120 food samples by using the O-I/SYBR gold stain had similar results to those by using the biochemical method. CONCLUSION: Fluorescent-labeled O-I phage could rapidly, sensitively and specifically detect Salmonella species in food samples.