Clinicopathological features of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of very well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (VWDA) of the stomach. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 12 cases of VWDA of the stomach were collected retrospectively at the People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force 989 Hospital (formerly 152 Hospital), Pingdingshan, China, from January 2013 to May 2021. The histological characteristics and immunophenotypes were observed and analyzed with review of current literature. Results: There were 8 males and 4 females with a median age of 63 years (range 47 to 80 years). The tumor involved in the upper part of the stomach in 6 cases, the middle part in 2 cases, and the lower part in 4 cases. The median diameter of the tumors was 17 mm (range 5-65 mm). The tumor cells were similar to absorbent cells, Paneth cells, foveolar epithelial cells, and goblet cells. The cells were arranged in a single layer, and the nuclei were slightly enlarged and located at the base. The nuclei were fusiform to slightly irregular, with loss of nuclear polarity. Early tubular VWDA was found in 9 cases, and the tumor glands were similar to intestinal metaplasia. In two cases the tumors infiltrated into the submucosa. The lesions in the mucosa and submucosa showed the glands with cystic expansion, bending, branching, spiky and abortive growth pattern. One case of early papillary tubular VWDA was confined to the mucosal layer and composed of foveolar-type epithelial cells. There were two cases of advanced papillary tubular VWDA, which consisted of foveolar-type epithelial, pyloric glands, or mucinous neck cells and were associated with intra-lymphatic cancer embolus and lymph node metastases. Background mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were observed in all cases. Immunohistochemical staining showed intestinal type VWDA in 1 case, mixed gastrointestinal type VWDA in 9 cases, and gastric type VWDA in 2 cases. The Ki-67 proliferation index of 8 cases limited to the mucosa was 40%-70%, 2 cases of infiltration into the submucosa and 2 cases of advanced carcinoma was 10%-25%. All the tumors showed a wild type of p53 protein expression pattern and negative HER2. Adenocarcinoma or high-grade dysplasia was diagnosed on preoperative biopsy in 5 cases, and chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia in 7 cases. The median follow-up time was 28 months (range 12-72 months). No recurrence was found in the 10 patients with early cancer. Of the two patients with advanced carcinoma, one patient had lung metastases and the other died. Conclusions: Gastric VWDA is a rare low-grade malignancy with structural features of highly differentiated adenocarcinoma and extremely low cytological atypia. The diagnostic value of structural abnormality is significantly greater than cytological atypia. The invasive growth of irregular glands in the deep mucosa and submucosa is reliable evidence for diagnosis. The diagnosis of intramucosal VWDA is challenging and very difficult in some biopsy specimens.

Research on Screening Method of Clinical Core Prescriptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Distance Clustering and Pseudo-Bic Criteria / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:Based on the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） and the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and treatment，methods of distance clustering and distance clustering combined with pseudo-bit clear（BIC） criteria are adopted in this study to simulate the doctor's clinical prescription process，and excavate a clinician's core prescription for the treatment of a specific disease. Method:In this study， it was believed that the clinical prescriptions of TCM can be divided into the core prescription for the treatment of the main syndrome and the addition and subtraction part of the medication for the concurrent syndrome. The hospital information system （HIS）was used to export the medical records of specific diseases，and then the methods of distance clustering and distance clustering combined with pseudo-BIC criteria were adopted to analyze professor WANG Jun-hong's 103 prescriptions for the treatment of Qi and Yin deficiency type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder（ADHD）. The core prescriptions were screened by finding the optimal balance between the number of herbs and the proportion of population using the herbs. Result:Test4 consisted of 15 herbs such as Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma，Crataegi Fructus，Lycii Fructus，Gall1 Gigerii Endothelium Corneum，and Pseudostellariae Radix were selected as the core prescription. In analysis by TCM theory and confirmation by professor WANG Jun-hong， it was proved to meet the characteristics of TCM treatment for ADHD. Conclusion:Combination of distance clustering with pseudo-BIC criteria method can effectively sort and screen the core clinical prescriptions of TCM，and compared with the current core prescription screening methods，it is characterized by conforming to the doctor's clinical prescription process. This research is helpful to provide certain support for inheriting the experience from famous TCM doctors and for the development of new Chinese medicines.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in renal transplant recipients: A case report / 北京大学学报(医学版)

The novel coronavirus is a newly discovered pathogen in late December 2019, and its source is currently unknown, which can lead to asymptomatic infection, new coronavirus pneumonia or serious complications, such as acute respiratory failure. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new type of respiratory disease that is currently spreading all over the world and caused by this coronavirus. Its common symptoms are highly similar to those of other viruses, such as fever, cough and dyspnea. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Everyone is susceptible to infection with this disease, and owing to the long-term use of immunosuppressants, the immunity of kidney transplant recipients is suppressed, and it is more likely to be infected with the disease. At present, its impact on kidney transplant recipients is unclear. This article reports the clinical features and therapeutic course of novel coronavirus infection in a patient after renal transplantation. A 37-year-old female patient who received a kidney transplant 6 months before was diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia. The patient's symptoms (such as fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches), laboratory tests (such as decreased white blood cell count, elevated liver enzymes and D-dimer, positive viral nucleic acid test), and chest CT (multiple left lower lung plaque ground glass shadow) were similar to those of non-transplanted novel coronavirus pneumonia patients. In terms of treatment, because the immunity of kidney transplant recipients has been suppressed for a long time, it is a very common strategy to suspend the use of immunosuppressive agents. Therefore, the patient immediately discontinued the immunosuppressive agent after admission, so that she could restore immunity against infection in a short time. At the same time, the use of glucocorticoids was also very important. Its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects played a large role in the treatment process.In addition, prophylactic antibiotics was needed, and nephrotoxic drugs should be used with caution. Finally, following discounting the use of immunosuppressant and a low-dose glucocorticoid-based treatment regimen, COVID-19 in this renal transplant recipient was successfully cured. The cure of this case was of great significance, and this adjuvant nonspecific antiviral therapy could provide a template for the treatment of other such patients.

Polarization of human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells-derived macprophages induced by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis proteins in vitro / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the polarization of human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells-derived macrophages induced by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis proteins in vitro, so as to provide insights into the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying host immune responses to hookworm infections. Methods The in-vitro culture of N. brasiliensis was established and maintained in the laboratory, and the third- (L3) and fifth-stage larvae (L5) were collected under a sterile condition for preparation of L3 and L5 proteins. The in-vitro culture of THP-1 cells was established, stimulated with 500 ng/mL PMA to yield M0 macrophages that were adherent to the plate wall. The LPS + IFN-γ group, IL-4 + IL-13 group, L3 protein group and L5 protein group were given stimulation with 500 ng/mL LPS plus 100 ng/mL IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-13 (both 100 ng/mL), L3 protein (5 mg/mL) and L5 protein (5 mg/mL), respectively, while the negative control group was given no stimulation. The cell morphology was observed using microscopy, the mRNA expression of M1/M2 macrophages-specific genes was quantified using a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay, and the surface markers of M1/M2 macrophages were detected using flow cytometry, while the levels of cytokines secreted by M1/M2 macrophages were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following stimulations, so as to examine the polarization of THP-1-derived macrophages induced by N. brasiliensis proteins in vitro. Results Following stimulation with PMA, THP-1 cells appeared wall-adherent M0 macrophages, and polarized to typical M1 macrophages following stimulation with LPS + IFN-γ, and typical M2 macrophages following stimulation with IL-4 + IL-13, IL-3 protein or L5 protein. There was a significant difference in the proportion of M1 macrophages among the negative control group, the LPS + IFN-γ group, the IL-4 + IL-13 group, the L3 protein group and the L5 protein group (χ2 = 3 721.00, P < 0.001), with the highest proportion detected in the LPS + IFN-γ group, and there was also a significant difference in the proportion of M2 macrophages among groups (χ2 = 105.43, P < 0.001). There were significant differences among groups in terms of the mRNA expression of CCL2 (F = 191.95, P < 0.001), TNF-α (F = 129.95, P < 0.001), IL-12b (F = 82.89, P < 0.001), PPARγ (F = 11.30, P < 0.001), IL-10 (F = 9.51, P < 0.001) and Mrc1 genes (F = 12.35, P < 0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in the proportion of positive CD86 and CD206 expression among groups (χ2 = 24 004.33 and 832.50, P < 0.001). Higher IL-1β and TNF-α levels were measured in the LPS + IFN-γ group than in the IL-4 + IL-13 group, the L3 protein group and the L5 protein group (P < 0.001), and greater TGF-β1 and IL-10 levels were seen in the IL-4 + IL-13 group, the L3 protein group and the L5 protein group than in the negative control group and the LPS + IFN-γ group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Both L3 and L5 proteins of N. brasiliensis may induce the polarization of THP-1-derived macrophages to M2 type in vitro.

Current situation and outlook of adult extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation / 中国实用内科杂志

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ECPR),as an important treatment for patients with refractory cardiac arrest(CA), can improve the prognosis of patients with CA, which has developed rapidly in recent years;however, the development of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation technology is not balanced at home and abroad, and most medical institutions are still in the initial stage. ECPR requires multidisciplinary cooperation. With the development of ECPR technology, CA patients with pregnancy, trauma or aortic dissection can also get good prognosis by ECPR. ECPR for adults has good prospects.

Differential pathway and gene expressions of endophytic Phialocephala fortinii inoculated on Rhodiola crenulata / 药学学报

The development and metabolism of medicinal plant is affected by many factors, among which the effect from endophytic fungi has been noticed recently and has become one of hot fields. In order to explore the effect of endophytic fungi on gene expression in R. crenulata, RNA-sequencing was used to find genes involved in metabolic pathways, and the differential genes were verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The method of 2-△△Ct was used to analyze the relative expression levels of genes in related metabolic pathways, which was used to verify the result of transcriptomics sequencing. The results showed that the endophytic fungus, P. fortinii, could up-regulate the gene expression in lipid metabolic pathway of R. crenulata. In signal transduction pathway, the genes were influenced at different level but the gene expressions were significantly increased under control of Notch signaling pathway, which was 34 times of that in control. The gene expressions of environmental adaption pathway were up-regulated in R. crenulata after inoculation of P. fortinii. This study could provide help for further understanding on mechanism of plant-fungus interaction, root cause of geoherbalism of medicinal plant and exploring bio-function of endophytic fungi.

Detection of Ferric Iron Based on Fluorescence Quenching Effect of N-doped Carbon Quantum Dots / 分析化学

The photoluminescence properties of carbon quantum dots depend on their size and the properties of surface functional groups. The N-doped carbon dots ( using small molecular ethylenediamine ) with high quantum yield and excellent dispersibility were synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method with biomass tar that was generated in the reductive smelting process as a precursor. Rapid and accurate Fe3+ detection based on the selective fluorescence quenching effect of N-doped carbon quantum dots was achieved. The results showed that the as-synthesized N-doped carbon quantum dots were regular spherical, uniform in size with an average particle size of 2. 64 nm with a quantum yield of 26. 1%, and the crystal lattice spacing was 0. 25 nm, corresponding to the ( 100 ) facet of graphitic carbon structure. The functional groups on the surface of N-doped carbon quantum dots could interact with Fe3+ to form complex compound by coordination, leading to the fluorescence quenching effect. Fluorescence emission ratios kept a linear relationship with the concentrations of Fe3+ in the range of 0. 23-600 μmol/L with the detection limit of 230 nmol/L.

Water-related diseases along the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project / 中国人兽共患病学报

The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemic condition of water-related diseases in the eastern route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP).All data were extracted from published literatures in Chinese about water-related diseases in the eastern route of SNWDP.Pooled analysis was used to explore geographical distribution and epidemiology of the disease.A total of 325 articles about water-related diseases were retrieved during 1953 to 2013,and 209 articles were included in this study.Pooling analysis showed that Shandong Province had the largest number of cases for water-related diseases,following by Jiangsu,Hebei,Tianjin,and Anhui.The numbers of cases were relative small before 1960s according to epidemic curve,and the curve peaked in the 1970s,and decreased after the 1980s.A total of 1 383 834 cases of bacillary dysentery was reported,accounting for 84％ of all water-related diseases on these regions of SNWDP,and followed by hepatitis A,hepatitis E,Japanese encephalitis,typhoid and paratyphoid fever and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.Other reported diseases displayed scatter condition and a small numbers of cases.The prevalence of water-related diseases is sporadic and a trend of decline along the regions of the eastern route of SNWDP.

Development of knowledge management system for virtual teams in collaborative scientific research model / 中华医学图书情报杂志

The characteristics, status quo, design principles and implementing technology of knowledge management system for virtual teams in collaborative scientific research model were described, which was followed by an analysis of its functional system that is consisted of project management module, file management module, staff management module, communication tool model, statistical analysis module and file storage module. The developed knowledge management system for virtual teams could share the knowledge management and service, store the knowledge for a long time in the project community by integrating literature retrieval and management, experimental reports and pa-per publication, and librarians could provide sustained guidance for library holding resources and timely embedded knowledge service by joining into the project community.

Detection of Ferric Iron Based on Fluorescence Quenching Effect of N-doped Carbon Quantum Dots / 分析化学

The photoluminescence properties of carbon quantum dots depend on their size and the properties of surface functional groups. The N-doped carbon dots ( using small molecular ethylenediamine ) with high quantum yield and excellent dispersibility were synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method with biomass tar that was generated in the reductive smelting process as a precursor. Rapid and accurate Fe3+ detection based on the selective fluorescence quenching effect of N-doped carbon quantum dots was achieved. The results showed that the as-synthesized N-doped carbon quantum dots were regular spherical, uniform in size with an average particle size of 2. 64 nm with a quantum yield of 26. 1%, and the crystal lattice spacing was 0. 25 nm, corresponding to the ( 100 ) facet of graphitic carbon structure. The functional groups on the surface of N-doped carbon quantum dots could interact with Fe3+ to form complex compound by coordination, leading to the fluorescence quenching effect. Fluorescence emission ratios kept a linear relationship with the concentrations of Fe3+ in the range of 0. 23-600 μmol/L with the detection limit of 230 nmol/L.

Development of knowledge management system for virtual teams in collaborative scientific research model / 中华医学图书情报杂志

The characteristics, status quo, design principles and implementing technology of knowledge management system for virtual teams in collaborative scientific research model were described, which was followed by an analysis of its functional system that is consisted of project management module, file management module, staff management module, communication tool model, statistical analysis module and file storage module. The developed knowledge management system for virtual teams could share the knowledge management and service, store the knowledge for a long time in the project community by integrating literature retrieval and management, experimental reports and pa-per publication, and librarians could provide sustained guidance for library holding resources and timely embedded knowledge service by joining into the project community.

Effect of endophytic fungus on expression of key enzyme genes in pathway of salidroside biosynthesis in Rhodiola crenulata / 药学学报

One strain of endophytic fungus ZPRa-R-1 was obtained for the capacity of promoting production of salidroside in Rhodiola crenulata. To explain the mechanism of salidroside biosynthesis in host plant, eight housekeeping genes were evaluated, and the evaluation method was created for the expression activities of four key enzyme genes PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), TyDC (tyrosine decarboxylase), TAT (tyrosine transaminase), UDPGT (UDP-glucosyltransferase) referenced double reference genes in biosynthesis pathway of salidroside in R. crenulata. Stabilities of housekeeping genes were confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technology and three softwares including geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper, then relative expressions of key enzyme genes were analysized by the 2-ΔΔCt method. The results showed that the most stable gene was GAPDH, followed by PCS, and the most appropriate reference of internal genes were combination with two genes in R. crenulata inoculated with endophytic fungus ZPRa-R-1. Under symbiosis conditions, regularity changes of key enzyme genes affected by endophytic fungus ZPRa-R-1 were as follows:the relative expression activity of PAL attached to peak value, which was 4.9 times as that of control group when inoculated ten days. The relative expression of TyDC reached the maximum value, which was 2.8 times of that control after inoculating 12 days. The relative expression of UDPGT actually reach 17.1 times than that of control after inoculating 8 days. However, the relative expression of TAT was not affected by this fungus. The changes of four key enzyme genes are positively correlated with the changes of salidroside content in R. crenulata.

Effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows

To evaluate the effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows, 48 head in early lactation were divided into healthy or lame groups according to their gait score. Cows were fed the same amount of Zn/Cu/Mn as sulfate salts or in chelated forms for 180 days, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine was injected at day 90. The results showed that lame cows had lower antioxidant function, serum Zn/Mn levels, hair Cu levels, and hoof hardness. Moreover, increased antioxidant status, FMD antibody titers, serum and hair levels of Zn/Cu/Mn, and hoof hardness and decreased milk fat percent and arthritis biomarkers were observed in cows fed chelated Zn/Cu/Mn. In summary, supplementation with chelated Zn/Cu/Mn improved antioxidant status and immune responses, reduced arthritis biomarkers, and increased accumulation of Zn/Cu/Mn in the body and hoof hardness in dairy cows.

Clinical study on the prevention of heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty by Xiaozhong Zhitong / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effects of Xiaozhong Zhitong mixture preventing heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2006 to October 2009, 154 patients underwent total hip replacement surgery were randomly divided into sham group (group A, 50 cases), indomethacin group (group B, 55 cases) and Xiaozhong Zhitong mixture group (group C, 49 cases). Among 154 patients, 9 cases were primary osteoarthris, 34 cases osteoarthritis secondary to acetabular dysplasia, 98 cases osteoarthritis secondary to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 2 cases rheumatoid arthritis, 5 cases femoral neck fracture, 6 cases other diseases. Modified Gibson approach was used during the operation. After operation, group A was no preventing treatment, group B was treated by indomethacin 50 mg every time, twice a day; group C was treated by Xiaozhong Zhitong mixture 50 ml every time, twice a day for 4 weeks. Eighteen months after operation was study termination point and X-ray (including the double hip anteroposterior,obturator oblique and iliac oblique film) was used to observe whether heterotopic ossification was formed (Brooker classification was used to evaluate ossification degree); Harris scoring was used to evaluate the function of hip joint,including PAHSS 80 scores and IAHSS 20 scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up,with the average of duration of 21.2 months. The condition of heterotopic ossification: for group A,there were 27 cases with heterotopic ossification(54%) ,and Brooker I in 8 cases, II in 9 cases, III in 8 cases and IVin 2 cases; for group B, there were 12 cases heterotopic ossification (21.82%), and Brooker I in 10 cases, II in 2 cases; for group C, there were 11 cases heterotopic ossification(22.45%), and Brooker I in 9 cases, I in 2 cases. There was significant difference among three group in heterotopic ossification by rank test (P<0.05), but no difference between group B and C (P>0.05); there were no significant difference among three groups before treatment in Harris, PAHSS and IAHSS by analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) (P>0.05), and has significant difference at 18 months after treatment (P<0.01). There were significant difference in Harris, PAHSS and IAHSS before and after treatment at 18 months (P<0.01). LSD-t was used to analyzed the scoring of Harris, PAHSS and IAHSS, there was significant difference among group A and group B and group C (P>0.05), but no difference between group B and C (P<0.01). There were gastrointestinal reaction in 5 of group A, 35 in group B and 4 in group C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of Xiaozhong Zhitong mixture on the prevention of heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty is similar to indomethacin, but Xiaozhong Zhitong mixture has the advantages of less side effects and easily acceptance by patients.</p>

Effect of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system combined with GnRH analogue for treatment of large adenomyosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) combined with GnRH analogue (GnRH-a) in the treatment of adenomyosis with uterine body enlargement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve women (mane age 40.3 years) with adenomyosis and uterine cavity depth over 11 cm received injections of GnRH-a every 4 weeks, and after the uterine cavity depth was reduced to below 10 cm, LNG-IUS was deployed. VAS pain score, PBAC bleeding score, uterine volume, and hemoglobin levels of the women were measured before the treatment and at 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS placement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS pain score was significantly lowered at 6 and 12 month after LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05), and the PBAC bleeding score also showed significant reductions (P<0.05). The uterine volume decreased significantly at 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS placement as compared with that before the treatment, but was significantly greater at 6 month in comparison with that at the time of LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05). Serum hemoglobin levels underwent significant increments after LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LNG-IUS combined with GnRH analogue injection can be effective in the treatment of adenomyosis with dysmenorrhea and hypermenorrhea.</p>

Role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in type 2 diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in type 2 diabetic nephropathy and provide new clues for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression rate of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and 15 normal subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in the expression rate of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells between the control group and the type 2 diabetic patients. In the type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly lowered in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05), and patients with macroalbuminuria showed significantly lower expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells than the microalbuminuric patinets (P<0.05). Significant inverse correlations were noted between the disease course and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells and between the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells may play a role in the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.</p>

Purification and characterization of biologically active recombinant human Eppin expressed in Escherichia coli / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Eppin (epididymis protease inhibitor) appears to play an important role in primate fertility. However, the function of Eppin and its antibody in men and its relationship with men's infertility are poorly studied. To reveal the significance and possibility of detection of anti-Eppin antibody in clinical infertilty cases, we developed an Escherichia coli expression system for the expression of biologically active human Eppin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The human Eppin gene was cloned into PET-28a( )+ vector after induction with 0.5 mmol/L isopropy-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) at 26 degrees C for 4 hours, and the expressed fusion protein His6-Eppin was purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography. Afterwards, six female 8-week-old Balb/c mice were immunized with purified His6-Eppin for three weeks. Their sera were collected and polyclonal antibodies against His6-Eppin were purified, all of which were further verified by Western-blot and immunofluorescence analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>About 18.33 mg His6-Eppin was obtained from 1-L flask culture. The produced polyclonal antibodies against His6-Eppin recognized the Eppin protein both in human epididymis and in HEK293T cells by over-expression of the recombinant human Eppin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The purified His6-Eppin protein has biological activity, which might be a candidate for clinical diagnosis of infertility and development of male immuno-contraceptive agents.</p>

Relationship between Ghrelin polymorphism and serum lipoprotein levels in Han Chinese with or without coronary heart disease risk factors / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between polymorphism of Ghrelin gene and serum levels of lipoprotein in Han Chinese with or without coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to detect the distribution of genotypes of Ghrelin gene in 225 Han Chinese (40 to 69 years-old) with CHD risk factors, 78 subjects without CHD risk factors served as normal controls. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were measured to analyze the relationship with the polymorphism of Ghrelin gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ghrelin genotype frequencies of AA, AG, GG (0.975, 0.025, 0.00 in control group and 0.956, 0.040, 0.004 in the high-risk group, all P > 0.05) as well as the allele frequencies of A, G (0.987, 0.013 in control group and 0.976, 0.024 in the high-risk group, all P > 0.05) were similar between the groups. HDL-C levels of the Arg/Gln carriers were significantly lower than those of Arg/Arg carriers in control group and in the high-risk group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Arg/Gln carriers were associated lower HDL-C levels in Han Chinese.</p>

Elevated serum secretory type II phospholipase A2 in patients with coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measure the serum level of secretory type II phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) in patients with coronary heart disease and investigate the possible relationship with IL-8 and LPA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 110 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 63 patients with stable coronary heart disease (SCHD) group and 89 non-CHD control patients were studied. Serum levels of sPLA2, IL-8, LPA and hs-CRP were measured and the correlation among these parameters was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of serum sPLA2 [(68 +/- 17) U/ml], IL-8 [(182 +/- 80) pg/ml] and LPA [(2.85 +/- 0.36) micromol/L] were significantly higher in CHD patients than those in controls [sPLA2: (55 +/- 12) U/ml; IL-8: (119 +/- 33) pg/ml; LPA: (2.34 +/- 0.36) micromol/L, all P < 0.01], and sPLA2 and IL-8 were also significantly higher in ACS patients [sPLA2: (71 +/- 18) U/ml; IL-8: (195 +/- 78) pg/ml] than those in SCHD patients [sPLA2: (63 +/- 12) U/ml; IL-8: (159 +/- 79) pg/ml, both P < 0.01]. Serum sPLA2 level was positively correlated with hs-CRP, IL-8 and LPA (r = 0.203, P = 0.007; r = 0.658, P < 0.01; r = 0.231, P = 0.005, respectively). The relative risk of having CHD is 6.248 (P < 0.01) with the sPLA2 level above 63.75 U/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Elevated serum sPLA2 level is a risk factor for CHD.</p>

Detecting the activity of antibodies induced by recombinant TGFbeta1 vaccine / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measure the neutralization activity in vitro of the antibodies induced by recombinant TGFbeta1 vaccine and to evaluate the vaccine's anti-liver fibrosis activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Balb/c mice were immunized with a fusion protein of the human TGFbeta1 epitope-inserted into a hepatitis B core antigen using a prokaryotic expression system. The antibody produced by the recombinant vaccine was determined using ELISA. The biological activity of the anti-TGFbeta1 antibody induced by the vaccine was measured by MTT using mink lung epithelial cell Mv-1-Lu as inhibiting cells. The fusion protein was used as a vaccine in a mice hepatic-fibrosis model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A high titer of anti-TGFbeta1 antibody and a low of anti-HBc antibody were detected in the mice after the immunization. The serum antibodies induced combined with the fusion and antigenic peptide prevented the TGFbeta1 inhibiting activity in the Mv-1-Lu cell.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Recombinant fusion protein can be used as a cytokine vaccine to induce high titers of anti-TGFbeta1 antibodies. Our results show the potentiality of the fusion protein to be used as a vaccine for preventing liver fibrosis.</p>