A new method of screening human papillomavirus genotypes and clinical validation.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary factor in the development of cervical cancer. A new HPV screening method, "Human Papillomavirus Genotyping (HPG)", was developed to detect 29 HPV genotypes distribution in China. The utility of HPG was compared to Hybrid Capture 2 High-Risk HPV DNA test (HC2), and it was determined that the HPG test had been proven to be a more credible and sensitive screening HPV method than the HC2 test. HPV16, HPV 52, HPV 56, and HPV 58 were the four most common HPV genotypes in women who have suffered chronic cervicitis or abnormal vaginal bleeding in China. HPV 16 (28.57%) and 18 (17.86%) were more likely to infect multiple HPV genotypes than other HPV genotypes. Age group more than 50 years had a higher risk than other age groups.

Gene damages of mitochondrial DNA encoding cytochrome oxidase of intestinal epithelial cells in hemorrhagic shock rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the detrimental effects of hemorrhagic shock on the structure and function of mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) encoding cytochrome oxidase genes in intestinal epithelial cells. METHODS: Wistar rats were used and divided into two groups: hemorrhagic shock group and control group. Hemorrhagic shock model of rats was utilized in this experiment. The mtDNA was extracted from the intestinal epithelial cells and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with different primers of cytochrome oxidase (COX I, COX II and COX III). The products of PCR were directly sequenced. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic shock could result in the point mutagenesis in mitochondrial genome encoding cytochrome oxidase (COX I and COX II). There were 4, 4, 22, 16, 35 point mutations in COX I from 5545 to 6838 bp in 5 shocked rats. There were five point mutations in COX II from 7191 to 7542 bp at the site of t7191c, t7212c, a7386g, a7483g, c7542g in 1 shocked rat. There was no mutation found in COX III. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic shock could significantly induce the damage of the gene of cytochrome oxidase encoded by mtDNA.

Effect of WeiJia on carbon tetrachloride induced chronic liver injury.

AIM: To study the effect of WeiJia on chronic liver injury using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury animal model. METHODS: Wistar rats weighing 180-220g were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (Group A), CCl(4) induced liver injury control group (Group B) and CCl(4) induction with WeiJia treatment group (Group C). Each group consisted of 14 rats. Liver damage and fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl(4) in olive oil at 3 mL/kg body weight twice a week for eight weeks for Groups B and C rats whereas olive oil was used for Group A rats. Starting from the third week, Group C rats also received daily intraperitoneal injection of WeiJia at a dose of 1.25 microg/kg body weight. Animals were sacrificed at the fifth week (4 male, 3 female), and eighth week (4 male, 3 female) respectively. Degree of fibrosis were measured and serological markers for liver fibrosis and function including hyaluronic acid (HA), type IV collagen (CIV), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. Alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry were also performed. RESULTS: CCl(4) induction led to the damage of liver and development of fibrosis in Group B and Group C rats when compared to Group A rats. The treatment of WeiJia in Group C rats could reduce the fibrosis condition significantly compared to Group B rats. The effect could be observed after three weeks of treatment and was more obvious after eight weeks of treatment. Serum HA, CIV, ALT, AST and gamma-GT levels after eight weeks of treatment for Group C rats were 58+/-22 microg/L (P<0.01), 57+/-21 microg/L (P<0.01), 47+/-10 U/L (P<0.01), 139+/-13 U/L (P<0.05) and 52+/-21 U/L (P>0.05) respectively, similar to normal control group (Group A), but significantly different from CCl(4) induced liver injury control group (Group B). An increase in PCNA and decrease in alpha-SMA expression level was also observed. CONCLUSION: WeiJia could improve liver function and reduce liver fibrosis which might be through the inhibition of stellate cell activity.