[Identification and functional analysis of jasmonic acid signaling repressor McJAZ8 gene in Mentha canadensis].

Mentha canadensis, as a plant with medicinal and culinary uses, holds significant economic value. Jasmonic acid signaling repressor JAZ protein has a crucial role in regulating plant response to adversity stresses. The M. canadensis McJAZ8 gene is cloned and analyzed for protein characterization, protein interactions, and expression patterns, so as to provide genetic resources for molecular breeding of M. canadensis for stress tolerance. This experiment will analyze the protein structural characteristics, subcellular localization, protein interactions, and gene expression of McJAZ8 using bioinformatics, yeast two-hybrid(Y2H), transient expression in tobacco leaves, qRT-PCR, and other technologies. The results show that:(1)The full length of the McJAZ8 gene is 543 bp, encoding 180 amino acids. The McJAZ8 protein contains conserved TIFY and Jas domains and exhibits high homology with Arabidopsis thaliana AtJAZ1 and AtJAZ2.(2)The McJAZ8 protein is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm.(3)The Y2H results show that McJAZ8 interacts with itself or McJAZ1/3/4/5 proteins to form homologous or heterologous dimers.(4)McJAZ8 is expressed in different tissue, with the highest expression level in young leaves. In terms of leaf sequence, McJAZ8 shows the highest expression level in the fourth leaf and the lowest expression level in the second leaf.(5) In leaves and roots, the expression of McJAZ8 is upregulated to varying degrees under methyl jasmonate(MeJA), drought, and NaCl treatments. The expression of McJAZ8 shows an initial upregulation followed by a downregulation pattern under CdCl_2 treatment. In leaves, the expression of McJAZ8 tends to gradually decrease under CuCl_2 treatment, while in roots, it initially decreases and then increases before decreasing again. In both leaves and roots, the expression of McJAZ8 is downregulated to varying degrees under AlCl_(3 )treatment. This study has enriched the research on jasmonic acid signaling repressor JAZ genes in M. canadensis and provided genetic resources for the molecular breeding of M. canadensis.

Gut microbiota: a potential target for traditional Chinese medicine intervention in coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common ischaemic heart disease whose pathological mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Single target drugs, such as antiplatelet aggregation, coronary artery dilation and lipid-lowering medicines, can relieve some symptoms clinically but cannot effectively prevent and treat CHD. Accumulating evidence has revealed that alterations in GM composition, diversity, and richness are associated with the risk of CHD. The metabolites of the gut microbiota (GM), including trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs), affect human physiology by activating numerous signalling pathways. Due to the advantage of multiple components and multiple targets, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can intervene in CHD by regulating the composition of the GM, reducing TMAO, increasing SCFAs and other CHD interventions. We have searched PubMed, Web of science, Google Scholar Science Direct, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), with the use of the keywords "gut microbiota, gut flora, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, coronary heart disease". This review investigated the relationship between GM and CHD, as well as the intervention of TCM in CHD and GM, and aims to provide valuable insights for the treatments of CHD by TCM.

Prophylactic vertebral augmentation in patients with intra-disc leakage after kyphoplasty.

BACKGROUND: A uperior adjacent vertebral fracture (SAVF) is a common complication after kyphoplasty. Intra-disc leakage is a significant risk factor of SAVF. However, to date, no studies on the prevention of SAVF after intra-disc leakage have been conducted. This study sought to evaluate the clinical outcome of prophylactic vertebral augmentation in high-risk patients, and explore the other risk factors of SAVF. METHODS: Of 2,571 patients who received kyphoplasty, 82 with intra-disc leakage were retrospectively enrolled in the study, and divided into 2 groups based on whether they had a superior level of prophylactic vertebral augmentation. To ensure that any possible early complications were examined, there was a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. RESULTS: The pre-operation parameters were comparable between the 2 groups. In the non-prophylactic group, 9 of 59 (15.3%) patients had SAVF superior to the level of intra-disc leakage. Of these 9 SAVF cases, 8 fractures (88.9%) occurred within 6 months after surgery. Overall, 14 (23.7%) patients developed a new fracture. In the prophylactic group, no patients had a SAVF (0.0%), but 3 (13.0%) had remote fractures (P=0.047 and 0.284). No complications were associated with vertebral augmentation. Further, the risk factor analysis showed that patients with comorbidities and a history of corticoid use had a higher risk of fracture compared with patients with none of these risk factor [odds ratios: 12.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-143, and 34.3, 95% CI: 3.2-364.5, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic vertebral augmentation can prevent SAVF without complications. Patients with comorbidities and a history of corticoid use had a higher risk of SAVF compared with patients without corticoid use. Thus, we recommend prophylactic vertebral augmentation in the selected high-risk patients.

Total flavonoids of Astragalus Ameliorated Bile Acid Metabolism Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus.

Astragalus Radix is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines used to treat diabetes. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Flavones are a class of active components that have been reported to exert various activities. Existing evidence suggests that flavones from Astragalus Radix may be pivotal in modulating progression of diabetes. In this study, total flavones from Astragalus Radix (TFA) were studied to observe its effects on metabolism of bile acids both in vivo and in vitro. C57BL/6J mice were treated with STZ and high-fat feeding to construct diabetic model, and HepG2 cell line was applied to investigate the influence of TFA on liver cells. We found a serious disturbance of bile acids and lipid metabolism in diabetic mice, and oral administration or cell incubation with TFA significantly reduced the production of total cholesterol (TCHO), total triglyceride, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), while it increased the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). The expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) was significantly upregulated on TFA treatment, and FXR and TGR5 play pivotal role in modulating bile acid and lipid metabolism. This study supplied a novel understanding towards the mechanism of Astragalus Radix on controlling diabetes.

Computer-assisted, minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: One surgeon's learning curve A STROBE-compliant article.

Minimally invasive (MI) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a challenging technique with a long learning curve. We combined computer-assisted navigation and MI TLIF (CAMISS TLIF) to treat lumbar degenerative disease. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve associated with computer-assisted navigation MI spine surgery (CAMISS) and TLIF for the surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Seventy four consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disease underwent CAMISS TLIF between March 2011 and May 2015; all surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. According to the plateau of the asymptote, the initial 25 patients constituted the early group and the remaining patients comprised the latter group. The clinical evaluation data included operative times, anesthesia times, intraoperative blood losses, days until ambulation, postoperative hospital stays, visual analog scale (VAS) leg and back pain scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) values, Macnab outcome scale scores, complications, radiological outcomes, and rates of conversion to open surgery. The complexity of the cases increased over the series, but the complication rate decreased (12.00%-6.12%). There were significant differences between the early and late groups with respect to the average surgical times and durations of anesthesia, but no differences in intraoperative blood losses, days until ambulation, postoperative hospital stays, complication rate, VAS, ODI, Macnab outcome scale scores, or solid fusion rates. There was no need for conversion to open procedures in either group. Our study showed that a plateau asymptote for CAMISS TLIF was reached after 25 operations. The later patients experienced shorter operative times and anesthesia durations.

[Investigation of Carbonaceous Airborne Particles by Scanning Proton Microprobe].

Carbonaceous particles are an important component of the atmospheric aerosol particles and important for global climate change, air quality and human health. The PM10 single particles from two environmental monitor locations and seven pollution emission sources were analyzed using scanning proton microprobe (SPM) techniques. The concentration of carbon in individual particles was quantitatively determined by proton non-Rutherford elastic backscattering spectrometry (EBS). The results of this investigation showed that carbonaceous particles were dominant in the pollution sources of coal and oil combustions, diesel busexhaust and automobile exhaust, while inorganic particles were dominant in the sources of steel industry, cement dust and soil dust. Carbonaceous matter was enriched in particles from the city center, while mineral matter was the main component of airborne particles in the industrial area. Elemental mapping of single aerosol particles yielded important information on the chemical reactions of aerosol particles. The micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) maps of S, Ca and Fe of individual carbonaceous particles showed that sulfuration reaction occurred between SO2and mineral particles, which increased the sulfur content of particles.

Host-Seeking Behavior and Arbovirus Detection in Mosquitoes of Habahe County, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, China.

Mosquitoes in Habahe County of Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region in China are considered a serious nuisance problem to local residents, but little is known of their role in enzootic disease. Therefore, host-seeking behavior and virus detection in mosquitoes were investigated in this study. Adult host-seeking mosquitoes were sampled using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps operated at three locations in June through August 2008. Nine traps were used at each location at 3 different heights (1 m, 3 m, and 5 m). Seven mosquito species from 4 genera were collected by CDC light traps in different habitats. In total, 90,055 mosquitoes were captured, of which Aedes vexans was the most abundant species, comprising 88.02% of all mosquitoes collected. The second most abundant species was Anopheles messese, which comprised about 5.86%. Other species caught were Culex modestus (2.89%), Aedes caspius (1.11%), Coquillettidia richiardii (0.61%), Ae. dorsalis (1.36%), and An. hyrcanus (0.14%). About 93.5% of Ae. vexans individuals were caught in CO2-baited CDC light traps at 1 m above the ground. The highest numbers of Cx. modestus were caught at the highest trap level, 5 m above ground. Overall, significantly more mosquitoes of all species were collected at dusk than at dawn. Based on blood-meal analyses, Ae. vexans and An. messese fed on various vertebrate hosts, whereas Cx. modestus fed on ducks only. From a total of 335 mosquito pools tested, 10 pools of Ae. vexans were found positive for alphavirus. Comparison with the gene database revealed that the alphavirus deoxyribonucleic acid fragment obtained (GenBank accession no. HM160530) was 100% homologous at the nucleotide level to chikungunya virus isolate LK (PB) chik3408, chikungunya virus isolate SGEHICHD122508, and chikungunya virus strain FD080231. The results of this study suggest that ongoing, integrated mosquito and arbovirus surveillance is necessary in this river wetland.

[Study on transition metals in airborne particulate matter in Shanghai city's subway].

PM10 and PM2.5 aerosol particle samples were collected at a subway station in Shanghai and their morphology, chemical composition and transition metal species were studied. The mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 inside the subway station were significantly higher than those measured in aboveground ambient air. The PM levels inside subway were much higher than the state control limit. The aerosol composition in the metro station was quite different from that of the aboveground urban particles. Concentrations of Fe, Mn and Cr were higher than the averages of aboveground urban air particles by factors of 8, 2, and 2, respectively, showing a substantial enrichment in subway. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that the subway particles had flat surfaces in combination with parallel scratches and sharp edges and looked like metal sheets or flakes. Furthermore, analysis of the atomic composition of typical subway particles by energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) spectroscopy showed that oxygen and iron dominated the mass of the particles. The X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy results showed that a fraction (> 26%) of the total iron in the PM10 was in the form of pure Fe, while in the street particles Fe(III) was shown to be a significant fraction of the total iron. The work demonstrated that the underground subway stations in Shanghai were an important microenvironment for exposure to transition metal aerosol for the people taking subway train for commuting every day and those who work in the subway stations, and the metal particle exposure for people in the subway station should not be ignored.

[Investigation on the endemic foci of new emerged tick-borne encephalitis in Charles Hilary, Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recent emerged endemic region of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) regarding its natural reserves, in Charles Hilary, northern Xinjiang and to isolate and characterize the viral geographic strain. METHODS: Using indirect fluorescent assay to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) specific IgG antibodies from serum of local residents including 2 unconfirmed viral encephalitis patients in 2011 spring-summer. Viruses were isolated from tick samples by inoculating BALB/c mice and BHK-21 cells. For phylogenetic analysis. TBEV NS1 gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR and then subjected to sequence alignment. RESULTS: 1760 ticks were captured from the fields to have found that Ixodes persulcatus were dominated among the tick population. Two viral encephalitis patients were diagnosed as TBEV infection. In addition, 35.4% (23/65) local residents were detected positive for presence of TBEV specific-IgG antibodies in serum. After inoculation, morbidity and mortality of BALB/c mice were 72.9% (70/96) and 55.7% (44/79), respectively. TBEV specific-fragments were amplified from brain tissue of dead mice and cells culture supernatant. NS1 sequence alignment showed that the viral isolates were clustered into TBEV far-eastern sub-type, phylogenetically, and were mostly close to the isolates from northeastern China (99%) and Russian strain (98%). CONCLUSION: In this study, a new endemic loci of TBE was firstly described in Charles Hilary natural reserve, northern Xinjiang. TBEV geographic isolates belonged to TBEV far-eastern subtype while Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor silvarum played crucial roles for disease transition.

[Prevalence of Anaplasma spp. infection in a desert landscape region of Heshuo, Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of Anaplasmosis among human, domestic sheep and tick population in Heshuo area, southern Xinjiang and to investigate the diversity of Anaplasma species. METHODS: Ticks were captured from wild field and blood samples were collected from healthy residents and their domestic sheep. Indirect fluorescent assay was carried out to determine the presence of Anaplasma specific IgG antibodies in blood sample of human and goats, respectively. Nested PCR and sequence alignment of Anaplasma partial 16S rDNA were used to investigate the diversity of Anaplasma species. RESULTS: 43.31% (55/127) of human beings and 27.50% (55/200) of the goats were found positive for Anaplasma specific IgG. In total, 367 ticks were captured, including 3 genus and 4 species, which mainly consisting of dominate Hyalomma (H.) asiaticum (47.41%) and Rhipicephalus (R.) pumilio (37.60%). 5.00% (18/360) of the questing ticks and 4.49% (7/156) of the goat blood samples were found to have had 16S rDNA, representing Anaplasma sp. by nested PCR, but none was found from human beings. Results from sequential alignment revealed that the positive amplicons were identified to be Anaplasma phagocytophilum (99.2% GU046565, 99.5% GU064897 and 99.5% AB196721) and Anaplasma central (99.2% GU064903). CONCLUSION: Human and zoonotic anaplasmosis, which were probably transmitted by H. asiaticum and R. pumilio, were co-circulating in the desert landscape of Heshuo area, Xinjiang.

[Evaluating the efficiency of basic public health service project in Beijing rural areas based on data envelopment analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the efficiency changes of basic public health service in Beijing rural areas and to provide some suggestions for the basic public health service project throughout China. METHODS: In the study, stratified random samples from 32 township health centers (THCs) were measured by data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with the panel data from 2007 to 2009. RESULTS: (1) The average total efficiency score of samples was 0.972. The TE non-efficient THCs were with excess in all input indicators and insufficient outputs in technology management, health promotion and chronic disease management. (2) The total factor productivity (TFP) from 2007 to 2008 increased 8.8%, which was attributed to technology change. The TFP decreased by 6.6% from 2008 to 2009, but the technical efficiency increased by 3.3%. CONCLUSION: There is room for improvemrnt in the basic public health service project in Beijing rural areas. Scale efficiency should be improved and the common development of technical efficiency and technology progress promoted in order to increase the project outputs.

[Analysis of blood glucose levels in 746 cases of schistosomiasis].

The levels of blood glucose of 746 inpatients with chronic or advanced schistosomiasis were assayed last 3 years and the results were analyzed. There was no significant difference between the pure chronic or advanced schistosomiasis patients and normal population. However, there was a significant difference between the chronic or advanced schistosomiasis patients with viral hepatitis and normal population.

[One-stage posterior approach spinal reconstruction for severe lumbar burst fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic outcomes for severe burst fracture of lumbar vertebrae via a posterior approach for one-stage spinal "three-column" reconstruction. METHODS: An retrospective analysis of data was performed for 21 patients with severe burst fracture of lumbar vertebrae undergoing a posterior approach for one-stage spinal "three-column" reconstruction from 2005 to 2010. It was compared with previous 15 cases undergoing a staged anteroposterior approach. The operative duration, volume of blood loss, pre- and post-operative imaging measurements of kyphosis and vertebral height and nerve function recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: The values of operative duration and volume of blood loss in the one-stage posterior approach group were significantly less than those of the two-stage anteroposterior approach group [(263 ± 72) min vs (439 ± 75) min, t = -5.303, P < 0.01; (1143 ± 296) ml vs (1471 ± 399) ml, t = -2.169, P = 0.042)]. Statistical significance existed in postoperative kyphosis between two groups [(0.5 ± 2.0)° vs (3.9 ± 2.6)°, t = -3.336, P = 0.003]. Vertebral height had no statistical significance pre- and post-operatively between two groups while restoration of vertebral height did [(0.47 ± 0.19) mm vs (0.26 ± 0.15) mm, t = 2.669, P = 0.015]. CONCLUSION: Posterior approach for one-stage vertebral resection, mesh implantation, pedicle screws and rod internal fixation for reconstructing spinal "three-column" structures offers excellent feasibility and safety. And it may avoid complications associated with an anteroposterior approach for two-stage procedures. The median length of hospital stay is also reduced.

[Short-term clinical outcome of modified expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty preserving posterior extensor musculature inserted into C2 and C7 spinous process].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of modified cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty preserving the posterior extensor musculature inserted into the C2 and C7 spinous process upon maintaining the cervical lordotic alignment and axial syndrome and to determine whether preserving the posterior extensor musculature inserted into C2 and C7 spinous process can reduce the complications. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing modified cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty preserving the posterior extensor musculature inserted into the C2 and C7 spinous process and 21 patients undergoing conventional C3-C7 cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty were investigated in pre-operative, post-operative and 3-month follow-up. The investigators assessed the effects of two different cervical laminoplasty types in the recovery rate of JOA score, the changes of Cobb angle and Ishihara's index, axial syndrome, operating duration and intra-operative blood loss, analyzed the results in SPSS and tried to find the difference in two operative types. RESULTS: There were the same results in the recovery rate of JOA score and intra-operative blood loss in modified expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty group and the conventional C3-C7 cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty group. The smaller changes of Cobb angle and Ishihara's index in the follow-up of modified laminoplasty group were found. The modified laminoplasty group had fewer patients suffering the axial syndrome in follow-up. The operating duration was shorter in the modified laminoplasty group. CONCLUSION: Preventing muscle injuries in cervical laminoplasty can reduce the incidence of complications. The modified expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty preserving the posterior extensor musculature inserted into C2 and C7 spinous process can protect cervical posterior extensor musculature. This is helpful to maintain the cervical lordotic alignment and reduce the incidence of post-operative axial syndrome.

Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fracture through an approach via the paravertebral muscle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods for, and clinical outcome of, the operative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures through an approach via the paravertebral muscle (PVM). METHODS: From June 2005 to August 2006, 62 patients, comprising 48 men and 14 women with an average age of 45.2 years (range, 21-58) with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological involvement underwent surgical treatment. Twenty-one fractures were located at T12, 24 at L1 and 17 at L2. The study comprised 15 compression and 47 burst fractures with an intact posterior column. Thirty-four cases were selected randomly to undergo surgery through the above approach, while the other 28 cases underwent the traditional procedure. After making a posterior midline incision, which not only facilitates insertion of pedicle screws and fusion of the graft bone at facet joints, but spares the attachment of PVM, the interval between the longissimus and multifidus muscles was undermined. Drainage was not routinely needed and the patients became ambulant with a brace earlier post-operatively. RESULTS: The new approach had statistically significant advantages (P < 0.005) over the traditional one in regard to blood loss, drainage, duration of recumbency and visual analogue scale (VAS), although the time required was almost the same for the two procedures. Till August 2007, 56 patients were successfully followed up for 12 to 26 months (mean, 18.6) and bone fusion was identified in all cases. Neither reduction loss nor loosening or breakage of the fixation occurred. CONCLUSION: The technique of operating through an approach between the PVM is recommended for thoracolumbar fractures because it is much less invasive, can reduce blood loss and accelerates rehabilitation.

[Bioindicating function of sulfur in Haplocladium under heavy metals pollution by SRXRF and XANES].

Haplocladium was cultivated in a special prepared nutrient medium containing different concentrations of Pb, Fe and Cr in laboratory. The sulfur content in moss was measured by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF), and the percentage of various oxidation states of sulfur was analyzed by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum. The results show that the sulfur absorption increases under exposure to heavy metal ions of Pb and Fe, but it decreases under exposure to 400 mg/L Pb and 200 mg/L Fe. When Haplocladium was cultivated for 15 days, under the stress of 100 mg/L Pb, the relative content of low oxidation states sulfur increases from 17.8% to 23.6% and the sulfate sulfur decreases from 56.3% to 51.2%. Under the stress of 400 mg/L Pb, the relative content of low oxidation state sulfur increases from 17.8% to 24.8%, and the sulfate sulfur decreases from 56.3% to 48.4%. Under heavy metal exposure, the total relative content of low oxidation states sulfur such as cystine, cysteine, methionine and glutathione increases, and the relative content of sulfate sulfur apparently decreases. All these results indicate that the changing characteristics of sulfur content and oxidation states percentage in sulfur assimilation process under heavy metal exposure can be used as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution.

[The long-term evaluation of treatment for the lumbar disc herniation with the modified Love operation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term outcome of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) after the treatment with modified mini-invasive Love operation. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2000, 373 patients suffered from LDH underwent the modified mini-invasive Love operation. There were 250 male and 123 female patients aged from 11 to 77-years-old (with a mean of 45.0-years-old). Most patients complained of sciatica accompanying back pain. The lesion level included L3,4 in 11 patients, L4,5 in 159 patients, L5-S1 in 195 patients and L4,5 combined with L5-S1 in 8 patients. RESULTS: The average operative duration was 65 min. The average blood lose was 22 ml. The average incision length was 3.2 cm. Till September 2005, 317 patients were available at the final follow-up during the period from 5 years and a half to 10 years and 5 months. The average duration of follow-up was 7 years and 8 months. A total of 135 patients underwent the CT discogram. According to the modified Roland-Morris Dysfunction Questionnaire, 198 patients were rated as excellent, 68 as good, and 51 as fair. The excellent rate was 84.0%. The scores for young patients were higher than senile patients. Herniation recurrence occurred in 10 patients (3.2%), in which 7 patients underwent the operation of internal fixation and 1 patient preferred the conservative treatment. One patient got the spondylolisthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of the modified mini-invasive Love operation is effective. It is a good choice for the LDH patients.

[Comprehensive study of lead pollution in atmospheric aerosol of Shanghai].

The lead contamination, lead species and source assignment were studied by a combination of several analytical techniques such as Proton-induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE), Proton microprobe (micro-PIXE), Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) techniques. The results indicate that the lead concentration in the air of Shanghai gradually decreased over the last years. The atmospheric lead concentration of PM10 in the winter of 2002 was 369 ng x m(-3), which had declined by 28% in 2001, and in the winter of 2003 it decreased further to 237 ng x m(-3). The main lead species in the samples collected in the winter of 2003 were probably PbCl2, PbSO4 and PbO. The source apportionment was calculated in terms of the combination of lead isotope ratios and lead mass balance method, assisted by single particle analysis with micro-PIXE and pattern recognition. The results suggest that the major contributors of atmospheric lead pollution in Shanghai are the coal combustion dust; the metallurgic dust and vehicle exhaust particles, with a contribution around 50%, 35% and 15%, respectively. It probably is the first time to give a city a quantitative estimation of lead pollution contribution from emission sources. The influence from leaded gasoline was still present in the atmosphere by four or five years after the phasing out of leaded gasoline.

[Prokaryotic expression and activity identification of recombinant human soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector for His-tagged human soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (hsRAGE), and study the function and biological activity of the fusion protein. METHODS: The coding sequence of hsRAGE was amplified from the recombinant pCI-neo/RAGE by PCR method. The fragment was cloned into pET-14b vector and identified by digestion with restriction enzymes and sequence analysis. After transformation of the vector into E. coli BL21(DE3), the fusion protein was expressed successfully in response to IPTG induction in the form of inclusion body. After extraction from the bactrerial cells and washing, the fusion protein was dissolved in 8 mol/L urea and purified using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Renaturing of the fusion protein occurred after gradually removal of the denaturants by dialysis. The protein was subsequently identified by Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and blockade experiments in the endothelial cells. RESULTS: The recombinant hsRAGE/pET-14b was verified by enzyme digestion and sequencing. A fusion protein with a molecular weight of about 45 kD was purified, which could interact with anti-RAGE antibody and AGE and block AGE-induced nuclear factor (NF)-kB activation in the endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: His-hsRAGE fusion protein has been cloned, expressed and purified successfully and identified to possess immunogenicity, binding activity to AGE and blocking effect on AGE-RAGE.