USP3 inhibition is Active Against Chemo-resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma Anchorage-independent Growth via Suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin.

BACKGROUND: USPs are a family of enzymes that regulate protein degradation, and their dysregulation has been implicated in the development and progression of cancer. AIMS: This study aimed to determine whether ubiquitin-specific proteases 3 (USP3) could be a potential target for therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in resistant HCC. This study systematically investigated the role of USP3 in HCC, with a focus on chemo-resistant HCC cells. METHODS: The level of USP3 from clinical samples was measured using an ELISA assay. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and anchorage-independent colony formation assays were performed. Transfection was performed to knock down USP3 expression and measure ß-catenin activity, and real-time PCR was used to measure levels of MYC and CYCLIN D1 genes. RESULTS: USP3 protein was upregulated in HCC tissues, but its upregulation was not associated with clinicopathology. USP3 knockdown had a similar inhibitory effect on growth in both sensitive and resistant HCC cells, did not affect migration, and induced apoptosis in sensitive but not resistant HCC cells. Furthermore, USP3 knockdown was more effective in suppressing anchorage-independent colony formation in chemoresistant HCC cells compared to their chemo-sensitive counterparts. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between USP3 and CTNNB1, and consistently, USP3 knockdown reduced the levels and activities of ß-catenin in HCC cells. Using a Wnt activator (lithium) in rescue studies significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of USP3 knockdown. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that inhibiting USP3 is an effective strategy against cancer stem cells and chemo-resistant HCC cells.

Comparative analysis of gut fungal composition and structure of the yaks under different feeding models.

The yaks that inhabit the Tibetan plateau are a rare breed that is closely related to local economic development and human civilization. This ancient breed may have evolved a unique gut microbiota due to the hypoxic high-altitude environment. The gut microbiota is susceptible to external factors, but research regarding the effects of different feeding models on the gut fungal community in yaks remains scarce. In this study, we compared and analyzed the composition and variability of the gut fungal community among wild yaks (WYG), house-feeding domestic yaks (HFG), and grazing domestic yaks (GYG). The results revealed that Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the most preponderant phyla in the gut fungal community, regardless of feeding models. Although the types of dominant fungal phyla did not change, their abundances did. Intergroup analysis of fungal diversity showed that the Shannon and Simpson indices of WYG and GYG were significantly higher than those of HFG. Fungal taxonomic analysis showed that there were 20 genera (Sclerostagonospora and Didymella) that were significantly different between WYG and GYG, and 16 genera (Thelebolus and Cystobasidium) that were significantly different between the WYG and HFG. Furthermore, the proportions of 14 genera (Claussenomyces and Papiliotrema) significantly decreased, whereas the proportions of eight genera (Stropharia and Lichtheimia) significantly increased in HFG as compared to GYG. Taken together, this study indicated that the gut fungal composition and structure differ significantly between yaks raised in different breeding groups.

Highland adaptation of birds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau via gut microbiota.

Highland birds evolve multiple adaptive abilities to cope with the harsh environments; however, how they adapt to the high-altitude habitats via the gut microbiota remains understudied. Here we integrated evidences from comparative analysis of gut microbiota to explore the adaptive mechanism of black-necked crane, a typical highland bird in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Firstly, the gut microbiota diversity and function was compared among seven crane species (one high-altitude species and six low-altitude species), and then among three populations of contrasting altitudes for the black-necked crane. Microbiota community diversity in black-necked crane was significantly lower than its low-altitude relatives, but higher microbiota functional diversity was observed in black-necked crane, suggesting that unique bacteria are developed and acquired due to the selection pressure of high-altitude environments. The functional microbial genes differed significantly between the low- and high-altitude black-necked cranes, indicating that altitude significantly impacted microbial communities' composition and structure. Adaptive changes in microbiota diversity and function are observed in response to high-altitude environments. These findings provide us a new insight into the adaptation mechanism to the high-altitude environment for birds via the gut microbiota. KEY POINTS: • The diversity and function of gut microbiota differed significantly between the low- and high-altitude crane species. • Black-necked crane adapts to the high-altitude environment via specific gut microbiota. • Altitude significantly impacted microbial communities' composition and structure.

Preventive effect of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. extract on mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium.

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (TB) is a traditional herbal combination used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. In this study, thirty KM mice were randomly divided into control (N), infection group (NS), and the TB protection group (HS). Based on its digestive feature, intestinal physical barrier, immunological barrier and gut microbiota effects in vivo on challenged with S.typhimurium mice were investigated after oral administration of 600 mg/kg b.wt of TB for 13 days. The results show that the extract could improve the level of serum immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG), decrease the intestinal cytokine secretion to relieve intestinal cytokine storm, reinforce the intestinal biochemical barrier function by elevating the sIgA expression, and strengthen the intestinal physical barrier function. Simultaneously, based on the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA analyzed, the results of the taxonomic structure of the intestinal microbiota demonstrated that the TB prevention effect transformed the key phylotypes of the gut microbiota in S. Typhimurium-challenged mice and promoted the multiplication of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, the abundance of Firmicutes and Deferribacteres increased, while that of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria decreased. At the genus level, the abundance of Ruminococcus and Oscillospira was substantially enhanced, while the other dominant genera showed no significant change between the vehicle control groups and the TB prevention groups. In summary, these results provide evidence that the administration of TB extract can prevent S. Typhimurium infection by alleviating the intestinal physical and immunological barriers and normalizing the gut microbiota, highlighting a promising application in clinical treatment. Thus, our results provide new insights into the biological functions of TB for the preventive effect of intestinal inflammation.

Characterization of fungal microbial diversity in healthy and diarrheal Tibetan piglets.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is an important ailment limiting the production of the Tibetan pig industry. Dynamic balance of the intestinal microbiota is important for the physiology of the animal. The objective of this work was to study fungal diversity in the feces of early weaning Tibetan piglets in different health conditions. RESULTS: In the present study, we performed high-throughput sequencing to characterize the fungal microbial diversity in healthy, diarrheal and treated Tibetan piglets at the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The four alpha diversity indices (Chao1, ACE, Shannon and Simpson) revealed no significant differences in the richness across the different groups (P > 0.05). In all samples, the predominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Rozellomycota. Moreover, the healthy piglets showed a higher abundance of Ascomycota than the treated ones with a decreased level of Basidiomycota. One phylum (Rozellomycota) showed higher abundance in the diarrheal piglets than in the treated. At genus level, compared with that to the healthy group, the proportion of Derxomyces and Lecanicillium decreased, whereas that of Cortinarius and Kazachstania increased in the diarrheal group. The relative abundances of Derxomyces, Phyllozyma and Hydnum were higher in treated piglets than in the diarrheal ones. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased relative abundance of beneficial fungi (e.g. Derxomyces and Lecanicillium) may cause diarrhea in the early-weaned Tibetan piglets. Addition of probiotics into the feed may prevent diarrhea at this stage. This study presented the fungal diversity in healthy, diarrheal and treated early-weaned Tibetan piglets.

Factors Affecting the Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Pregnant Women in Tibet Health Facilities.

BACKGROUND Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death, is defined as a blood loss >500 mL within 24 h after vaginal delivery or >1000 mL within 24 h after cesarean section. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of PPH and assess its risk factors in pregnant women in Tibet to provide a reference for clinicians in this region. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 4796 pregnant women with gestational age ≥28 weeks who were admitted to hospitals in Tibet between December 2010 and December 2016 were involved in this study. Patient sociological and clinical data and pregnancy outcomes were collected. The related risk factors of PPH were analyzed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curves was used to evaluate the effect of the PPH prediction model. RESULTS PPH occurred in 95 women, with an incidence of 1.98%. The following factors were associated with higher risk for PPH: maternal age ≥35 (odds ratio [OR]=1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-3.27; P=0.010), history of preterm birth (OR=2.66; 95% CI, 1.60-4.42; P<0.001), cesarean section (OR=6.69; 95% CI, 4.30-10.40; P<0.001), neonatal weight >4 kg (OR=3.92; 95% CI, 1.75-8.81; P<0.001) and occurrence of neonatal asphyxia (OR=5.52; 95% CI, 2.22-13.74; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Maternal age ≥35, history of preterm birth, cesarean section, newborn weight >4 kg, and neonatal asphyxia were risk factors of PPH, which can help evaluate PPH in Tibet.

Minimally invasive surgery vs laparotomy in patients with colon cancer residing in high-altitude areas.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer is associated with a higher incidence among residents in high-altitude areas. Hypoxic environment at high altitudes inhibits the phagocytic and oxygen-dependent killing function of phagocytes, thereby increasing the inflammatory factors, inhibiting the body's innate immunity and increasing the risk of colon cancer. AIM: To examine the effect of minimally invasive surgery vs laparotomy in patients with colon cancer residing in high-altitude areas. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with colon cancer in our hospital from January 2019 to February 2021 were selected and divided into the minimally invasive surgery and laparotomy groups using the random number table method, with 46 patients in each group. Minimally invasive surgery was performed in the minimally invasive group and laparotomy in the laparotomy group. Operative conditions, inflammatory index pre- and post-surgery, immune function index and complication probability were measured. RESULTS: Operative duration was significantly longer and intraoperative blood loss and recovery time of gastrointestinal function were significantly less (all P < 0.05) in the minimally invasive group than in the laparotomy group. The number of lymph nodes dissected was not significantly different. Before surgery, there were no significant differences in serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels between the groups, whereas after surgery, the levels were significantly higher in the minimally invasive group (26.98 ± 6.91 mg/L, 146.38 ± 11.23 ng/mL and 83.51 ± 8.69 pg/mL vs 41.15 ± 8.39 mg/L, 186.79 ± 15.36 ng/mL and 110.65 ± 12.84 pg/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). Furthermore, before surgery, there were no significant differences in CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels between the groups, whereas after surgery, the levels decreased in both groups, being significantly higher in the minimally invasive group (55.61% ± 4.39%, 35.45% ± 3.67% and 1.30 ± 0.35 vs 49.68% ± 5.33%, 31.21% ± 3.25% and 1.13 ± 0.30, respectively, P < 0.05). Complication probability was significantly lower in the minimally invasive group (4.35% vs 17.39%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic minimally invasive procedures reduce surgical trauma and alleviate the inflammatory response and immune dysfunction caused by invasive operation. It also shortens recovery time and reduces complication probability.

Down-Regulation of miR-378d Increased Rab10 Expression to Help Clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Macrophages.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) can survive in the hostile microenvironment of cells by escaping host surveillance, but the molecular mechanisms are far from being fully understood. MicroRNAs might be involved in regulation of this intracellular process. By RNAseq of M. tb-infected PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages, we previously discovered down-regulation of miR-378d during M. tb infection. This study aimed to investigate the roles of miR-378d in M. tb infection of THP-1 cells by using a miR-378d mimic and inhibitor. First, M. tb infection was confirmed to decrease miR-378d expression in THP-1 and Raw 264.7 macrophages. Then, it was demonstrated that miR-378d mimic promoted, while its inhibitor decreased, M. tb survival in THP-1 cells. Further, the miR-378d mimic suppressed, while its inhibitor enhanced the protein production of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, and Rab10 expression. By using siRNA of Rab10 (siRab10) to knock-down the Rab10 gene in THP-1 with or without miR-378d inhibitor transfection, Rab10 was determined to be a miR-378d target during M. tb infection. In addition, a dual luciferase reporter assay with the Rab10 wild-type sequence and mutant for miR-378d binding sites confirmed Rab10 as the target of miR-378d associated with M. tb infection. The involvement of four signal pathways NF-κB, P38, JNK, and ERK in miR-378d regulation was determined by detecting the effect of their respective inhibitors on miR-378d expression, and miR-378d inhibitor on activation of these four signal pathways. As a result, activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway was associated with the down-regulation of miR-378d. In conclusion, during M. tb infection of macrophages, miR-378d was down-regulated and functioned on decreasing M. tb intracellular survival by targeting Rab10 and the process was regulated by activation of the NF-κB and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6. These findings shed light on further understanding the defense mechanisms in macrophages against M. tb infection.

Contrasting fine-scale genetic structure of two sympatric clonal plants in an alpine swampy meadow featured by tussocks.

Tussocks are unique vegetation structures in wetlands. Many tussock species mainly reproduce by clonal growth, resulting in genetically identical offspring distributed in various spatial patterns. These fine-scale patterns could influence mating patterns and thus the long-term evolution of wetland plants. Here, we contribute the first genetic and clonal structures of two key species in alpine wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Kobresia tibetica and Blysmus sinocompressus, using > 5000 SNPs identified by 2b-RAD sequencing. The tussock-building species, K. tibetica, has a phalanx (clumping) growth form, but different genets could co-occur within the tussocks, indicating that it is not proper to treat a tussock as one genetic individual. Phalanx growth does not necessarily lead to increased inbreeding in K. tibetica. B. sinocompressus has a guerilla (spreading) growth form, with the largest detected clone size being 18.32 m, but genets at the local scale tend to be inbred offspring. Our results highlight that the combination of clone expansion and seedling recruitment facilitates the contemporary advantage of B. sinocompressus, but its evolutionary potential is limited by the input genetic load of the original genets. The tussocks of K. tibetica are more diverse and a valuable genetic legacy of former well-developed wet meadows, and they are worthy of conservation attention.

TGF-ß1 resulting in differential microRNA expression in bovine granulosa cells.

To explore the expression profile of the cellular miRNAs in bovine ovarian granulosa cells responding to transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), the effect of TGF-ß1 on cell proliferation was firstly investigated by CCK-8 method and the results showed that there was a significant inhibitory effect on bovine granulosa cell proliferation treated with 5/10 ng/mL human recombinant TGF-ß1 for 24 h compared to the control (P < 0.05). Then, we performed high-throughput sequencing of two small RNA libraries prepared from cultured bovine granulosa cells stimulated with or without 10 ng/mL human recombinant TGF-ß1. A total of 13,257,248 and 138,726,391 clean reads per library were obtained from TGF-ß1 and control groups, respectively. There were 498 and 499 bovine-specific exist miRNAs (exist miRNAs), 627 and 570 conserved known miRNAs (known miRNAs), and 593 and 585 predicted novel miRNAs in TGF-ß1 and control groups, respectively. A total of 78 miRNAs with significant differential expression, including 39 up-regulated miRNAs and 39 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in the TGF-ß1 group compared with the control. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses of bta-miR-106a and bta-miR-1434-5p showed that their up-expressions were interrupted by SB431542, an inhibitor that blocks TGFß1/Smad signaling, which supported the sequencing data. GO analysis showed involvement of the predicted genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs in a broad spectrum of cell biological processes, cell components, and molecular functions. KEGG pathway analysis of the predicted miRNA targets further indicated that these differentially expressed miRNAs are involved in various signaling pathways, such as Wnt, MAPK, and TGF-ß signaling, which might be involved in follicular development. These results provide valuable information on the composition, expression, and function of miRNAs in bovine granulosa cells responding to TGF-ß1, and will aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms of TGF-ß1 in granulosa cells.

Establishment of age- and gender-specific pediatric reference intervals for liver function tests in healthy Han children.

BACKGROUND: The development and growth of children influence values of liver function tests. This study aims to establish age- and gender-specific pediatric reference intervals of liver function among Han children in Changchun, China. METHODS: A total of 1394 healthy Han children, aged 2-14 years, were recruited from communities and schools with informed parental consent in Changchun. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) were measured on Hitachi 7600-210 automatic biochemical analyzer. The age- and gender-specific reference intervals were partitioned using Harris and Boyd's test and calculated using nonparametric rank method. The pediatric reference intervals were validated in five representative hospitals located in different areas in Changchun. RESULTS: All the analytes required some levels of age partitioning. Proteins (TP, ALB) and bilirubins (TBIL, DBIL) required no gender partitioning. In contrast, considerable gender partitioning was required for serum ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP. TP, TBIL, and DBIL showed steady increases, and AST showed apparent decreases over time, whereas ALT, GGT, ALP, and ALB demonstrated complex trends of change. ALT and GGT increased sharply in males from 11 to 14 years old. However, ALP declined in females from 13 to 14 years. All five laboratories passed the validation of reference intervals. CONCLUSIONS: There were apparent age or gender variations of the reference intervals for liver function. When establishing pediatric reference intervals, partitioning according to age and gender is necessary.

[IL-17 and IL23 expression as a predictor of response to infliximab treatment in Crohn's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of IL-17 and IL23 expression in response prediction of infliximab treatment in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: A total 23 CD patients were enrolled in this study including 19 males and 4 females. Another 17 patients with colonic polyps were recruited as control group. The tissue expression of IL-17 and IL23 positive cells were counted and recorded in 10 random high power fields (HPFs). RESULTS: Infliximab was effective in sixteen patients (69.6%), while 7 patients (30.4%) did not response. The numbers of IL-17 or IL23 positive cells were much more in responders than those in nonresponders. The median numbers of IL-17 or IL23 positive cells were 26.7 (18.0, 38.6)/HPF in responders, 11.8 (7.0, 14.0)/HPF in nonresponders, 3.0 (2.0, 4.0)/HPF in controls (P = 0.004). The median numbers of IL-23 positive cells were 74.5 (44.8, 128.6)/HPF in responders, 22.4 (19.0, 38.8)/HPF in nonresponders, 3.0 (2.0, 4.0)/HPF in controls (P = 0.018). IL-17 or IL-23 positive mucosal cells were significantly decreased after infliximab treatment. CONCLUSION: High expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in mucosa may predict the response to infliximab in CD patients.

[Investigation on operation timing of limb fractures combined with severe craniocerebral trauma in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the best choice of operation opportunity and operation plan for limb fractures combined with severe craniocerebral trauma in children. METHODS: From January 2005 to July 2012,36 patients with limb fractures and severe craniocerebral trauma were received,including 24 males and 12 females aged from 1 to 13 years old (mean, 6.1 +/- 3.0). The time from injury to hospital was (18.0 +/- 15.0) h. Glasgow coma score were less than 8 with an average of 6.4 +/- 1.3. AIS-ISS score were 25.9 +/- 8.1. Thirteen patients were open fracture, 23 were closed fracture. Patients were divided into immediate operation group (21 patients) received fracture fixation with 24 h, the average time was (15.0 +/- 7.4) h, and delayed operation group (15 patients) received fracture fixation after 24 h, the average time was (165.4 +/- 114.6) h. All patients were treated by open reduction, and 33 cases by internal fixation, 3 cases were external fixation. Operative time, blood loss, fracture healing time and brain trauma,physical trauma, postoperative rehabilitation situation were observed and evaluated. RESULTS: All patients were healed at stage I ,and no dead, aggravating of coma, disorders of breathing and circulation occurred during operation. Operative time,blood loss,healing time in immediate operation group was (44.5 +/- 25.3) min, (47.1 +/- 36.5) ml, (2.7 +/- 0.5) months, respectively; while in delayed operation group was (87.0 +/- 40.0) min, (112.7 +/- 67.5) ml, (3.8 +/- 1.2) months,respectively; and there were obvious differences between two groups. There was no siginificant meaning in Glasgow coma score and Fugl-Meyer motor function between immediate operation group (4.7 +/- 0.6, 97.9 +/- 2.7) and delayed operation group (4.7 +/- 0.5, 97.7 +/- 3.9) (t = 0.23, P > 0.05; t = 0.11, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The condition of limb fractures combined with severe craniocerebral trauma in children is seriously, comfortable surgical opportunity should according to particular case, and immediate operation can performed on the condition of stabled vital signs.

Optimisation of ultra-performance LC conditions using response surface methodology for rapid separation and quantitative determination of phenolic compounds in Artemisia minor.

A method that couples rapid, sensitive, reproducible and accurate ultra-performance LC (UPLC) with quadrupole-TOF-MS was established for the first simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in Artemisia minor. Box-Behnken designs (BBDs) were applied as an effective tool to optimise major parameters that influence the resolution of UPLC, including three gradient steps and column temperature. Under optimal UPLC conditions, a total of 23 phenolic compounds in the crude methanol extracts of A. minor were well separated on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column (100×2.1 mm, 1.7 µm particle size) within 16.5 min, and the compounds were unequivocally or tentatively identified via comparisons with authentic standards and literature. In this study, a total of six major phenolic compounds were quantified in A. minor and the method was validated to be sensitive, precise and accurate within the LOD from 1.24 to 5.27 µg/mL, and the overall intra- and inter-day variations in detection were less than 3.76%. The recovery of the method ranged from 97.9 to 103.8% with RSDs that were less than 5.8%. These results demonstrate that this approach has the potential for quality control of A. minor and other Tibetan herbal medicines.

An experimental design approach using response surface techniques to obtain optimal liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry conditions to determine the alkaloids in Meconopsi species.

A statistic approach using response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) gradient and ionization response of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to analyze the main alkaloids from the plant matrices of six Meconopsi species is presented. The optimization was performed with Box-Behnken designs (BBD) and the multicriteria response variables were described using global Derringer's desirability. Four parameters of UHPLC and six major parameters of ESI-MS were investigated for their contribution to analytes separation and response, leading to a total of 27 and 54 experiments being performed for each instrument, respectively. Quantitative analysis of four main alkaloids in nine samples from six Meconopsis species was employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the parameters on UHPLC-QTOF/ESI-MS analytes response. The results indicated that the optimized UHPLC-QTOF-MS method is very sensitive with the limit of detections (LODs) ranging from 0.5 to 0.1 ng/ml. The overall intra-day and the inter-day variations were less than 2.45%. The recovery of the method was in the range of 94.3-104.8% with RSD less than 4.0%. This approach has important implication in sensitivity enhancement of the ultra-trace determination of alkaloids from complex matrixes in the fields of natural products, metabolomics and pharmacokinetics.

[Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Tibet Autonomous Region of China.].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cervical type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as well as risk factors associated in Tibet Autonomous Region of China. METHODS: A cluster sampling study was performed in Lasa, Rikaze and Naqu of Tibet. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied and 3036 cervical specimens were obtained for liquid-based cytology and HPV DNA detection. Statistical analysis included Wald Chi-square and stepwise logistic regression model. RESULTS: The overall HPV prevalence of involved 3036 women was 9.19% (279/3036), of which 7.05% (214/3036) of the women were infected by high-risk types (including 14 sorts of types) and 2.14% (65/3036) by low-risk types (including 6 sorts of types). There were no significant differences of HPV prevalence between age groups (P = 0.936), race (P = 0.718) and areas (P = 0.746), respectively. Twenty-one types of HPV were detected, of which HPV16 (1.52%) was the most common type, followed by HPV33 (1.42%), HPV58 (1.22%), HPV52 (1.15%), and HPV31 (1.05%). HPV type distribution was varied by age. Of the 279 HPV infected women, 14.3% (40/279) exhibited multiple HPV infections. Independent risk factors for HPV infection were smoking (P = 0.027), number of sex partners (P = 0.198) and early age of first intercourse (P = 0.237). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of HPV infection in Tibet Autonomous Region is lower than that in China or abroad, in which the most common genotype is HPV16 and the independent risk factors for HPV infection included early age of first intercourse, smoking, and number of sex partners.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Saussurea laniceps].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Saussurea laniceps. METHOD: The ethanol extract of S. laniceps was separated by means of silica gel chromatography. The compounds isolated from the plant were identified by their spectral evidence. RESULT: Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as beta-stiosterol (1), umbelliferone (2), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (3), scopoletin (4), isoscopoletin (5), xuelianlactone (6), methyl 3-(2', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl) propanoate (7), apigenin (8), neoechinulin A (9), daucosterol (10), scopolin (11), xuelianlactone 8-O-beta-D-glcuoside (12), apigenin 7-glcuoside (13), apigenin 7-lutinoside (14) and syringin (15). CONCLUSION: Compounds 5-15 were isolated from S. laniceps, and among them, 7 and 9 were isolated from genus Saussurea for the first time.

Studies on chemical constituents of Saussurea laniceps / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of Saussurea laniceps.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ethanol extract of S. laniceps was separated by means of silica gel chromatography. The compounds isolated from the plant were identified by their spectral evidence.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as beta-stiosterol (1), umbelliferone (2), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (3), scopoletin (4), isoscopoletin (5), xuelianlactone (6), methyl 3-(2', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl) propanoate (7), apigenin (8), neoechinulin A (9), daucosterol (10), scopolin (11), xuelianlactone 8-O-beta-D-glcuoside (12), apigenin 7-glcuoside (13), apigenin 7-lutinoside (14) and syringin (15).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 5-15 were isolated from S. laniceps, and among them, 7 and 9 were isolated from genus Saussurea for the first time.</p>

[Placental mitochondrial respiratory function of native Tibetan at high altitude].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mitochondrial mechanism of adaptation to hypoxia of Tibetan. METHODS: The body weights and heights of 32 neonates borne by native Tibetan women and of 20 neonates borne by immigrant Han women were measured immediately after birth. The placentae were collected to measure the weight and volume and placental mitochondria were isolated. The mitochondrial respiratory state III (ST3), respiratory state IV (ST4), and respiratory control ratio (RCR) were measured with Clark electrode and the oxidative phosphorylation rate (OPR) was calculated. RESULTS: (1) The mean body weight of the neonates borne by native Tibetan women was 3.495+/-0.493 kg, significantly greater than that of the neonates borne by immigrant Han women (2.952+/-0.388 kg, t=3.365, P=0.000). The mean body height of the neonates borne by native Tibetan women was 49.81+/-2.56 cm, significantly greater than that of the neonates borne by immigrant Han women (48.10+/-2.30 cm, t=2.025, P=0.000). The mean weight of the placentae of the native Tibetan women was 0.509+/-0.090 kg, significantly greater than that of the migrant Han women too (0.429+/-0.099 kg, t=0.695, P=0.004), and the mean volume of the placentae of the native Tibetan women was 657.66+/-167.10 cm3, significantly greater than that of the migrant Han women (500.46+/-140.69 cm3, t=1.834, P=0.001). (2) The ST3, RCR, and OPR of the placental mitochondria of the native Tibetan women were 4.22+/-0.97, 67.78+/-13.57 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1), and 117.93+/-32.69 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1), all significantly higher than those of the migrant Han women (3.21+/-0.37, 41.27+/-10.49 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1), and 68.94+/-28.88 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1) respectively, t=3.232, 5.257, and 2.985, P=0.004, 0.000, and 0.001 respectively), while ST4 showed no significant difference between the two groups (16.58+/-3.53 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1) vs. 14.79+/-4.69 nmol Oxmin(-1)xmg pro(-1), t=1.069, P=0.297). CONCLUSION: The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity is significantly higher in the native Tibetan than in the immigrant Han population, indicating that Tibetans are able to utilize much more oxygen under hypoxic conditions at high altitude. This may be an important mechanism by which Tibetans adapt well to hypoxic environment at high altitude.

ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO CELL LINES SECRETING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST PATHOGENIC FREE-LIVING AMOEBA IN SHANGHAI / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Taking Naegleria australiensis, a species of pathogenic free-living amoeba (isolated in Shanghai in 1986), as antigen, two cell lines which provided potentially permanent source of monoclonal antibodies were established by lymphocytic hybridoma technique. The results of identification showed that: (1) the two cell lines could secret two different kinds of McAbs; (2) both of the McAbs were IgG (by gel diffusion); (3) McAbs produced in BALB/c mice were at high concentrations. One of them had a titer of ≥1 : 8 192 and the other≥l : 1 024 (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). A decline of the titers after purification by salting-out method was shown. One of the purified McAbs had a titer of≥1: 2 024 and the other≥l : 128.We have adopted two ways of recovering cryopreserved cells : ordinary recovering and "direct" recovering. The latter way was more practical because it could reduce the cycle of antibody production, and avoid contamination and chromosome variation. Experiments with different doses of cells revealed that, if the latter way was used, the optimal dose was 3 to 5 ? 106 cells per mouse.