Molecular cloning of HSP70 in Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and comparison with that of other mycoplasmas

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, a bacterial species that specifically affects ovine and goat, is the cause of ovine infectious pleuropneumonia. We cloned, sequenced and analyzed heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (dnaK) gene of M. ovipneumoniae. The full length open reading frame of the M. ovipneumoniae HSP70 gene consists of 1812 nucleotides, with a G+C content of 34.16%, encoding 604 amino acids. Comparative analysis with the HSP70 sequences of 15 Mycoplasma species revealed 59 to 87% DNA sequence identity, with an amino acid sequence identity range of 58 to 94%. M. ovipneumoniae and M. hyopneumoniae shared the highest DNA and amino acid sequence identity (87 and 94%, respectively). Based on phylogenetic analysis, both the DNA and amino acid identities of M. ovipneumoniae with other mycoplasmal HSP70 were correlated with the degree of relationship between the species. The C-terminus of the HSP70 was cloned into a bacterial expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The recombinant C-terminal portion of HSP70 protein strongly reacted with convalescent sera from M. ovipneumoniae-infected sheep, based on an immunoblotting assay. This indicates that HSP70 is immunogenic in a natural M. ovipneumoniae infection and may be a relevant antigen for vaccine development.

Site-specific multi-stage CVD of large-scale arrays of ultrafine ZnO nanorods

Multi-stage growth of ZnO nanorod arrays has been carried out by Au-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in order to better understand and more precisely control the growth behaviors. It is evidenced that Au-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth only dominates the initial site-specific nucleation of the nanorods, while the subsequent growth is governed by a vapor-solid (VS) epitaxy mechanism. The sequential VLS and VS behaviors permit the fabrication of large-scale highly ordered arrays of ZnO nanorods with precisely tunable diameters and embedded junctions by controlling reactant concentration and nanorod top morphology. Based on the above results, two routes to fabricate ultrafine ZnO nanorod arrays are proposed and stepwise nanorod arrays with ultrafine top segment (~10 nm in diameter) have been achieved. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and spatial resolved PL were carried out on the nanorod arrays and on individual nanorods, indicating high quality optical properties and tunable light emission along the length of the stepwise nanorods.

Siliceous Mesostructured Cellular Foams with Uniformly Sized and Shaped Pores

Mesostructured siliceous cellular foams (mesocellular foams, MCFs) with homogeneous ultra-large mesopores are described. MCFs consist of uniform spherical cells 21–36 nm in diameter and possess surface areas up to 900 m2/g. Uniform windows, 7–18 nm in diameter, interconnect the cells to form a continuous 3-D pore system, which makes the MCFs attractive candidates for supports for catalysis and in separation and immobilization involving large molecules. They may be of interest in low-dielectric applications. The size of the cells can be controlled by the concentration of the added organic cosolvent. Adding small amounts of NH4F selectively enlarges the windows. We propose that the MCFs are templated by oil-inwater microemulsion droplets. The large-pore MCF materials resemble aerogels, with the benefit of a facilitated synthesis procedure in combination with well-defined pores and wall structure.

Investigation of Cu(II) adsorption from aqueous solutions by NKF-6 zeolite

Adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions using NKF-6 zeolite was investigated by batch technique under ambient conditions. The adsorption was investigated as a function of pH, ionic strength, fulvic acid (FA), foreign ions and temperature. The results indicated that the adsorption of Cu(II) on NKF-6 zeolite gradually increases from 0 to 90% with increasing pH at pH<6.5, and maintains high level at pH>6.5. Outer-sphere complexation or ion exchange may be the main adsorption mechanism of Cu(II) to NKF-6 zeolite at low pH values, whereas the adsorption of Cu(II) at pH>6.5 is mainly dominated by inner-sphere complexation or precipitation. A positive effect of FA on Cu(II) adsorption onto NKF-6 zeolite is observed at low pH values, while a negative effect of FA is observed at high pH values. The thermodynamic parameters (i.e., ΔH0, ΔS0 and ΔG0) for the adsorption of Cu(II) were determined from the temperature dependent isotherms at 20, 40 and 60°C, respectively, and the results indicated that the adsorption reaction is favoured at low temperature. The results suggested that the adsorption process of Cu(II) on NKF-6 zeolite is spontaneous and exothermic.

Characteristics of prevalence in peripheral arterial disease and correlative risk factors and comorbidities among female natural population in China

BACKGROUND

To investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and correlating risk factors and comorbidities in a natural female population in China, and to study the characteristics of atherosclerotic disease in females.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Natural population from communities in several cities and districts including Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Guangdong, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang in China were investigated as study subjects through cluster multistage and random sampling. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured among participants in the communities by trained investigators and correlative information and clinical data were collected. PAD was defined as an ABI≤0.9 in either leg.

RESULTS

21,152 eligible participants were included in the survey. The prevalence in males and females was 2.52 % and 3.66 %, the standardized prevalence was 1.84% and 4.31% respectively, and the prevalence in females was higher than that in males (p<0.01). The prevalence in females obviously increased (p<0.01) with increasing age. More female participants with PAD were over 69 years old compared with those without PAD (18.8% vs. 10.0%, p=0.000) and more frequently have a smoking habit (11.1% vs. 2.5%, p=0.000), lipid disorders (34.8% vs. 29.2%, p=0.047), diabetes mellitus (14.8% vs. 8.6%, p=0.000), coronary heart disease (16.9% vs. 10.0%, p=0.000) and a history of stroke (6.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.000). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, older age (>69 years old, OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.11-2.29), a smoking habit (OR: 5.98, 95% CI: 3.88-9.21), comorbidities of lipid disorders (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.91), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.11), coronary heart disease (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02-2.19)and a history of stroke (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.01-2.91) were correlated with the prevalence of PAD in females in China. Only 0.8% of female patients with PAD had been diagnosed previously.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the prevalence of PAD in a female natural population in China is higher than that in males. Many conventional risk factors and comorbidities were correlated with the high prevalence of PAD in females. But only very few female patients with PAD were diagnosed. Thus, more measures should be taken to diagnose, prevent and control PAD in females in China.

Analysis of thermochemotherapy-induced apoptosis and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in maxillofacial squamous cell carcinomas

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between thermochemotherapy-induced apoptosis and the expressions of the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in maxillofacial squamous cell carcinomas. Fifteen patients with maxillofacial squamous cell carcinomas were treated with microwave hyperthermia (43 °C for 40 min) following the intravenous injection of pingyangmycin (Bleomycin A5 Hydrochloride for Injection) (8 mg). Subsequently, the tumors were surgically resected. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling method was used to assess the apoptosis in the carcinoma cells, and immunohistochemistry was performed using the streptavidin-peroxidase method to determine the expression levels of the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins, and quantitative analysis was employed. The number of apoptotic cells increased markedly (P < 0.001). The protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated (P < 0.001), while that of Bax was markedly upregulated (P < 0.001). Thermochemotherapy induces apoptosis in maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma cells by downregulating the protein expression of Bcl-2 and upregulating that of Bax.

Development of rapid immunoassays for the detection of ractopamine in swine urine

The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against ractopamine (Rac) were prepared and their properties identified by indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). The IC(50) of mAbs was 2.7 ng ml(-1) towards Rac or 9.3 ng ml(-1) towards Rac-glucuronides and no cross-reactivity (CR) towards other competitors except dobutamine (CR: 3.76%). Based on the mAbs, the Rac-kit (kit) and Rac-strip (strip) were developed to detect Rac residues in swine urine. The strip and kit assay could be performed within 5-10 min and 2 h, respectively, allowing the analysis of urine samples without the need for sample clean-up. The detection limits were 1 ng ml(-1) for kit and 3 ng ml(-1) with the unaided eye, and 0.2 ng ml(-1) with the Strip Reader for strip. The correlation coefficients (R(2)) were 0.988 for kit in the range 0-128.0 ng ml(-1), and 0.987 for strip in the range 0-10.8 ng ml(-1). Comparing the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with the kit or strip in swine urine spiked with Rac standards, the differences ranged from 1.4% to 4.5% for kit and 1.0% to 4.7% for strip. However, the differences were greater than 54% for the kit and 55% for the strip test for the analysis of urine from swine treated with Rac. The results obtained from GC-MS using hydrolysed urine samples were generally in good agreement with those obtained from strip or kit using non-hydrolysed urine samples.

Serotonin and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a possible therapeutic role for SSRIs?

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare malignant arrhythmia, usually diagnosed in the adolescent years. The diagnosis can typically be made by one or more of the following: a positive family history, exercise electrocardiography, ambulatory ECG monitoring and/ or an intra-cardiac, electrophysiological examination. This is a case report of a patient with CPVT that was refractory to treatment with beta-blockade and an implanted automatic cardioverter defibrillator. However, after a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) was added to the therapeutic regimen, no further episodes of ventricular tachycardia occurred during the following two years.

Enhanced tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo by co-expression of survivin-specific siRNA and wild-type p53 protein

The development of malignant prostate cancer involves multiple genetic alterations. For example, alterations in both survivin and p53 are reported to have crucial roles in prostate cancer progression. However, little is known regarding the interrelationships between p53 and survivin in prostate cancer. Our data demonstrate that the expression of survivin is inversely correlated with that of wtp53 protein (r(s)=0.548) in prostate cancer and in normal prostate tissues. We have developed a therapeutic strategy, in which two antitumor factors, small interfering RNA-survivin and p53 protein, are co-expressed from the same plasmid, and have examined their effects on the growth of PC3, an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line. When p53 was expressed along with a survivin-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA), tumor cell proliferation was significantly suppressed and apoptosis occurred. In addition, this combination also abrogated the expression of downstream target molecules such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and c-Myc, while enhancing the expression of GRIM19. These changes in gene expression occurred distinctly in the presence of survivin-shRNA/wtp53 compared with control or single treatment groups. Intratumoral injection of the co-expressed construct inhibited the growth and survival of tumor xenografts in a nude mouse model. These studies revealed evidence of an interaction between p53 and survivin proteins plus a complex signaling network operating downstream of the wtp53-survivin pathway that actively controls tumor cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis.

Multimodality imaging of hypoxia in preclinical settings

Hypoxia has long been recognized to influence solid tumor response to therapy. Increasingly, hypoxia has also been implicated in tumor aggressiveness, including growth, development and metastatic potential. Thus, there is a fundamental, as well as a clinical interest, in assessing in situ tumor hypoxia. This review will examine diverse approaches focusing on the preclinical setting, particularly, in rodents. The strategies are inevitably a compromise in terms of sensitivity, precision, temporal and spatial resolution, as well as cost, feasibility, ease and robustness of implementation. We will review capabilities of multiple modalities and examine what makes them particularly suitable for investigating specific aspects of tumor pathophysiology. Current approaches range from nuclear imaging to magnetic resonance and optical, with varying degrees of invasiveness and ability to examine spatial heterogeneity, as well as dynamic response to interventions. Ideally, measurements would be non-invasive, exploiting endogenous reporters to reveal quantitatively local oxygen tension dynamics. A primary focus of this review is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based techniques, such as ¹⁹F MRI oximetry, which reveals not only hypoxia in vivo, but more significantly, spatial distribution of pO₂ quantitatively, with a precision relevant to radiobiology. It should be noted that preclinical methods may have very different criteria for acceptance, as compared with potential investigations for prognostic radiology or predictive biomarkers suitable for use in patients.

Identification and characterization of large-effect quantitative trait loci for grain yield under lowland drought stress in rice using bulk-segregant analysis

An F(4:5) population of 490 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross Apo/(2*)Swarna was used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) with large effects on grain yield under drought stress using bulk-segregant analysis (BSA). Swarna is an important rainfed lowland rice variety grown on millions of hectares in Asia, but is highly susceptible to drought and aerobic soil conditions. Apo is an aerobic-adapted variety with moderate tolerance to drought. Two rice microsatellite (RM) markers, RM324, and RM416, located on chromosomes 2 and 3, respectively, were shown via BSA to be strongly associated with yield under lowland drought stress. The effects of these QTL were tested in a total of eight hydrological environments over a period of 3 years. The QTL linked to RM416 (DTY(3.1)) had a large effect on grain yield under severe lowland drought stress, explaining about 31% of genetic variance for the trait (P < 0.0001). It also explained considerable variance for yield under mild stress in lowland conditions and aerobic environments. To our knowledge this is the first reported QTL that has a large effect on yield in both lowland drought and aerobic environments. The QTL linked to RM324 (DTY(2.1)) had a highly significant effect on grain yield in lowland drought stress (R(2) = 13-16%) and in two aerobic trials. The effect of these QTL on grain yield was verified to be not mainly due to phenology differences. Effects of DTY(3.1) on yield under stress have been observed in several other rice mapping populations studied at IRRI. Results of this study indicate that BSA is an effective method of identifying QTL alleles with large effects on rice yield under severe drought stress. The Apo alleles for these large-effect QTL for grain yield under drought and aerobic conditions may be immediately exploited in marker-assisted-breeding to improve the drought tolerance of Swarna.

Conversion from cyclosporin A to sirolimus retards the progression of chronic allograft nephropathy in the long term in a rat kidney transplantation model

In a rat renal allograft model, the long-term effect of conversion from cyclosporin A (CsA) to sirolimus on recipient kidneys and growth factor expression were compared with continuous use or withdrawal of CsA. Kidneys from Fisher 344 rats were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis rats. Four Fisher 344 to Lewis allograft groups were treated post-transplant as follows: (i) CsA (transplant to week 8) then sirolimus (weeks 8 - 24); (ii) CsA (transplant to week 24); (iii) CsA (transplant to week 8) then vehicle (weeks 8 - 24); (iv) control vehicle (transplant to week 24). A fifth group underwent syngeneic isograft (Lewis to Lewis) with no drug treatment. Proteinuria was measured every 4 weeks and grafts harvested at 24 weeks for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis. Conversion from CsA to sirolimus resulted in a significant decrease in proteinuria at 24 weeks, a lower Banff sum score and lower expression of transforming growth factor mRNA compared with continuous use or withdrawal of CsA. In conclusion, conversion from CsA to sirolimus retarded progression of chronic allograft nephropathy in the rat model.

L-arginine reverses cigarette-induced reduction of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic smokers

INTRODUCTION

Complex mechanisms regulate nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Cigarette smoking decreases fractional exhaled NO (FE(NO)), while asthmatic inflammation increases FE(NO). To assess whether the smoking-induced decrease in FE(NO) levels was reversible, asthmatic and non-asthmatic smokers inhaled the NO synthase (NOS) substrate, L-arginine. Aminoguanidine, a relatively selective Type II NOS inhibitor, was used also to assess the role of NOS subtypes in these changes of FE(NO).

METHODS

The study was a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design in two parts. Part I: smoking asthmatic and non-asthmatic smoking subjects smoked one cigarette and then inhaled nebulised L-arginine or L-alanine (control). Spirometry, FE(NO), nasal NO (FN(NO)), FE(CO), were measured for 4 h. Part II: subjects inhaled nebulised aminoguanidine prior to an identical protocol as in Part I. Change in FE(NO) was assessed as area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Part I: In asthmatic smokers, cigarette smoking followed by L-arginine caused a significant median increase in AUC of 29.2(17)% FE(NO) change/hour (p = 0.04), which did not occur in non-asthmatic smokers (baseline FE(NO) 12.7(7.1-18) vs. 6.7(4-9.2) ppb, respectively). Part II: Aminoguanidine prior to smoking caused a significant fall in FE(NO) in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic smokers. L-arginine showed significant reversal of this effect in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

In asthmatic smokers, L-arginine increases FE(NO) after cigarette smoking but not in non-asthmatic smokers. The decrease in FE(NO) after aminoguanidine and subsequent partial reversal by L-arginine in both groups, suggests that Type II NOS contributes to the FE(NO) in both.

Alteration products of uraninite from the Colorado Plateau

Uraninite and associated alteration products from the Colorado Plateau were studied by optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging in order to determine the behavior and fate of trace elements, such as Pb, Ca, Si, Th, Zr, and REE, during corrosion under oxidizing conditions. The long-term alteration products and processes of uraninite may provide insight into the corrosion of the UO2in spent nuclear fuel. Uraninite, schoepite, calciouranoite, uranophane, fourmarierite, a Fe-rich uranyl phase, and coffinite were identified. The primary uraninites and alteration phases generally have low trace element contents, except for coffinite from Caribou Mine, Colorado that has Y2O3as high as 0.88 wt%. The highest Zr, Ti, Th and REE values of the uraninite are ThO20.17, Y2O30.28, La2O30.03, Ce2O30.10, Pr2O30.02, Nd2O30.14, Sm2O30.12, Eu2O30.04, Gd2O30.08, ZrO20.93, and TiO20.54 wt%, which are in general lower than the corresponding components in secondary uranyl phases (the highest values are ThO20.21, Y2O30.88, La2O30.05, Ce2O30.15, Pr2O30.05, Nd2O30.18, Sm2O30.14, Eu2O30.11, Gd2O30.08, ZrO22.11, and TiO22.74 wt%), suggesting that trace elements preferentially enter the structures of these secondary uranyl phases (Table 2). A compositional profile of a concentric structure in schoepite shows that, with increasing alteration, UO2, PbO and ZrO2decrease, and SiO2, TiO2, CaO and P2O5increase. Alteration causes loss of U, Pb and Zr and incorporation of Si, Ti, Ca and P into uranyl phases. The Ca-rich calciouranoite from Grants, New Mexico, indicates an interaction between the limestone host rock and uranium minerals. Texturally, concentric structures and micro-fractures are common. Concentric structures are usually composed of both uraninite and uranyl phases, while micro-fractures are common in the secondary phases.

Current status of contraceptive use among rural married women in Anhui Province of China

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore the current status of married women in regard of their use of contraceptive methods (permanent methods versus non-permanent methods) and to find out factors that affect the use of contraceptive methods in rural areas of Anhui Province of China.

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

Anhui, China.

POPULATION

A total of 53,652 married women aged 18-49 years.

METHODS

A multistage probability sampling method was used to identify a representative sample of 53,652 married women aged 18-49 years. All women were asked to provide detailed information by completing detailed questionnaires.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Contraceptive prevalence and influence factors.

RESULTS

The total birth control rate of the sample was 95.2%. Samples choosing the permanent and nonpermanent contraceptive methods have taken up 46.7 and 48.5% respectively. Female sterilisation was the first choice with a usage rate of 43.6%, followed by intrauterine device (IUD), which was used by 41.1% of samples. Single-variable analysis showed that the choice of contraceptive methods was associated with age, education level, parity, frequency of sex intercourses in a month, contraceptive knowledge, RTI symptom and the gender of the last child of rural married women.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in contraceptive use of rural married women in Anhui Province of China. Female sterilisation and IUD still play the dominant role. Effective family planning methods should be advocated through adequate counselling on the correct use and proper management, with consideration of the background of custom and belief.

A multicentre study assessing the prevalence of sensitizations in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis in China

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of sensitization in patients with asthma and rhinitis in mainland China remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of allergy in patients with respiratory allergic diseases such as asthma and/or rhinitis attending respiratory clinics within mainland China. The study also investigated regional and annual differences in the prevalence and pattern of sensitization among the patients in China.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 6304 patients suffering from asthma and/or rhinitis in 17 cities from 4 regions of China. Patients completed a standardized questionnaire asking for the presence of respiratory and allergic symptoms. They also underwent skin prick tests with 13 common aeroallergens.

RESULTS

Among the 6304 patients, 4545 (72.1%) had at least one positive skin prick reaction. The overall prevalence of positive skin prick responses was 59.0% for Dermatophagoides farinae, 57.6% for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 40.7% for Blomia tropicalis, 16.1% for American cockroach, 14.0% for dog, 11.5% for Blatella germanica, 11.3% for Artemisia vulgaris, 10.3% for cat, 6.5% for Ambrosia artemisifolia, 6.3% for mixed mould I, 4.4% for mixed mould IV, 3.5% for mixed grass pollen and 2.2% for mixed tree pollen. Sensitizations to common allergens varied widely between geographical areas and demonstrated unique pattern in patients by stratification with age groups, with asthma and/or rhinitis. Severity of rhinitis and asthma was significantly correlated with skin index of reactivity to Artemisia vulgaris, Ambrosia artemisifolia and to D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and Blomia tropicalis respectively (P < 0.001). Positive reactivity to the tested allergens and concomitant reactivity to multiple allergens including to house dust mites and Blomia tropicalis was markedly increased in patients with both asthma and rhinitis.

CONCLUSION

House dust mites were the most prevalent allergens in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis in China. There were significant differences in patterns of sensitizations in patients from different geographical areas, age groups as well as asthma and/or rhinitis.