ABSTRACT
In the decades to come,the increasing development of biotechnology may give a significant boost to bioweapons.Herein,we summarize bioterror attacks and critical laboratory accidents that have happened in the United States since the late 20th Century.Based on this description,we analyze its policies involved and the strategic shift the US government came up with.In view of with the current situation and potential risks of biotechnology,we make recommendations on the administration of Chinese biosafety laboratories and ways of responding to biothreat.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of immunotherapy on septic patients with Ulinastatin plus Thymosin-alpha(1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy postoperative septic patients were divided into two groups at random: the immunotherapy group (n equal to 36) and the conventional therapy group (n=34). Patients in the immunotherapy group received intravenous Ulinastatin of 200 000 U, 3 times per day for 3 days, Ulinastatin of 100 000 U, 3 times per day for 4 days, and subcutaneous injection of Thymosin-alpha(1) of 1.6 mg, twice per day for 3 days, then once per day for 4 days. While conventional therapies such as antibiotics and fluid resuscitation were undertaken in both groups. The expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IgG, C3, T lymphocyte subsets, CD14+ monocyte human leukocyte antigen (locus) DR (HLA-DR) and patients'28-day survival rate of the two groups were observed and evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The survival rate was significantly higher in the immunotherapy group (63.9%; 23/36) compared with the conventional therapy group (41.2%; 14/34). The serum TNF-alpha levels [(1.38+/-0.50) ng/ml in the immunotherapy group vs (1.88+/-0.53) ng/ml in the conventional group, P less than 0.05] and the serum IL-10 levels [(217.52+/-15.71) ng/ml vs (101.53+/-16.57) ng/ml, P less than 0.05] were significantly different between the two groups. The serum IgG levels in the immunotherapy group [(17.65+/-6.81) g/L] were significantly higher than in the conventional group [(11.94+/-5.32) g/L]. There were also significant differences in the expression levels of CD4+ T lymphocyte (35%+/-13% in the immunotherapy group vs 21%+/-7% in the conventional group, P less than 0.05) and CD14+ monocyte HLA-DR (50%+/-5% in the former vs 35%+/-4% in the latter, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Immunotherapy with Ulinastatin plus Thymosin-alpha(1) can enhance the inflammatory response, improve the immune homeostasis, and increase the survival rate of septic patients.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Glycoproteins , Sepsis , Drug Therapy , Allergy and Immunology , Mortality , Survival Rate , ThymosinABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To search for more bioactive compounds from the roots of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High speed countercurrent chromatography was successfully applied to the separation of alkaloids from Aconitum coreanum. The structures were elucidated by their physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two-phase solvent system composed of CHCl3-CH3OH-0.2 mol x L(-1) HCl (10:3:3, volume ratio) was used in this experiment, eight alkaloids were obtained from the roots of Aconitum coreanum, which were identified as: 2alpha-propionyl-11alpha,13beta-diacetyl-14-hydroxyhetisine (I), Guanfu base P (II), Guanfu base G (III), Guanfu base F (IV), Guanfu base Z (V), Guanfu base O (VI), Guanfu base A (VII), Guanfu base B (VIII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound I is a new alkaloid, named Guanfu base R.</p>
Subject(s)
Aconitum , Chemistry , Countercurrent Distribution , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings , Chemistry , Molecular Conformation , Molecular Structure , Plant Roots , Chemistry , Plants, Medicinal , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the chemical constituents of the stems and leaves of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The constituents of Aconitum coreanum were isolated by using various kinds of modern chromatographic methods. The new alkaloid was identified on the basis of spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two compounds were isolated and identified as: 13-dehydro-1beta-acetyl-2alpha,6beta-dihydroxyhetisine (I) and Guanfu base G (II).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound I is a new alkaloid.</p>
Subject(s)
Aconitum , Chemistry , Diterpenes , Heterocyclic Compounds, Bridged-Ring , Chemistry , Molecular Conformation , Molecular Structure , Plant Leaves , Chemistry , Plant Stems , Chemistry , Plants, Medicinal , ChemistryABSTRACT
Objective To study the macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF)expression levels of serum and synovial fluids from patients with spondyloarthropathy(SPA)and its contribution to the pathogen- esis of SpA.Methods Eleven SpA synovial tissue samples were compared to those from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)of 10 normal subjects using a 1176 gene array.M-CSF was detected in both serum samples and synovial fluids by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Two groups of AS subjects were tested.The first group consisted of 41 ankylosing spondylitis(AS)patients who had not been treated with bio- logics.The second group consisted of 13 subjects whose serum samples were collected before and 14 weeks af- ter initiation of infliximab.These were compared to serum samples from 28 normal subjects,and synovial fluid samples from 15 SpA patients.Results Expression of M-CSF could be detected in both serum samples and synovial fluids.The concentration of M-CSF in the group of 41 AS patients not treated with biologics correlated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index(BASDAI)values(r=0.41,P=0.004).Treatment of infliximab in AS patients led to a significant decrease in the values of BASDAI(P=0.000 07),but no signif- icant change in the serum M-CSF values.Conclusion M-CSF is a promising candidate for research on the mechanisms of SpA and its signaling on pathway in SpA is different from tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-?,and it may provide new basis for developing new anti-biologics for SpA.