AIDS-Associated Mycoplasmas Infections in Patients with Nongonococcal Urethritis and Mucopurulent Cervicitis

Background: The incidence of sexually transmittedHIV infections is rapidly increasing in China, and theprevalence of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas (includingMycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma penetrans, Myco-plasma pirum and Mycoplasma fermentans) infections isunknown in patients with sexually transmitted diseases.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of these 4species of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas infections inpatients with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) andmucopurulent cervicitis (MPC).Methods: In 65 patients with NGU/MPC, detection ofM. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M. fermentansin genital and pharyngeal specimens was performed byculture and nested polymerase chain reaction.Results: M. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M.fermentans were identified in genital specimens from23.1% (15/65), 12.3% (8/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively, and from pharyngeal samples in26.2% (17/65), 15.4% (10/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively. M. genitalium was detected in bothgenital and pharyngeal samples in 10.8% (7/65) ofpatients, and M. penetrans in 4.6% (3/65) of patients. M.pirum was found in only 2 cases, and no M. fermentanswas discovered.Conclusions: This study suggests that M. genitaliumand M. penetrans infections are common in patients withNGU/MPC. M. genitalium and M. penetrans may be trans-mitted by genital-genital or oral-genital sex, and maycause urethritis and cervicitis.

Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium

Objective: To study the incidence of mycoplasmagenitalium infection in non-gonococcal urethritis(NGU)/mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) patients.Method: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) wasconducted to detect M. genitalium in the urogenitaltracts of 236 patients with NGU/MPC.Results: There was a specific M. genitalium band in42 out of 236 STD patients who were positive for M.genitalium by PCR.Conclusion: The results indicate that mycoplasmagenitalium exists among sexually transmitted diseasepatients. It may be one of the etiological agents of NGU/MPC.

Influences of different time intervals between loop electrosurgical excision and abdominal hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy on postoperative complications: a retrospective analysis

Objective： To study the influences of different time intervals between loop electrosurgical excision （LEEP） and abdominal hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy on postoperative complications. Methods： Sixty-eight patients, who received subsequent abdominal hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy after LEEP due to C1N III and cervical cancer （IA1, IA2 and IB1）, were included in the present study. The hospital and clinic records of these patients were reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the time intervals between LEEP and hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy： group l（within 48 h）, group 2 （between 48 h to 6 weeks）, and group 3（〉 6 weeks ）.Results： General characteristics of patients, including the mean age, delivery history, BMI, menopausal status, clinical stage and HPV infection, were comparable between patients of different groups. There were no significant differences in the mean transfusion amount, posthysterectomy hospital stay or operation time between different groups. The frequencies and spectrum of complications were not significantly affected by the time interval between LEEP and hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy. Conclusion： It is concluded that whenever the LEEP is done, the operation including hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy can be conducted at any time as it is necessary for the patients.

A randomized controlled trial of two chemotherapy regimens-paclitaxel liposome combined with platinum and paclitaxel combined with platinum in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical carcinoma

Objective:The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy,side effect and influence on the survival rate of two chemotherapy regimens,paclitaxel liposome combined with platinum and paclitaxel combined with platinum,in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical carcinoma.Methods:The 162 cases with primary cervical carcinoma diagnosed between January 2008 and November 2009 in Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital(China) were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial.Seventy-one cases were included in paclitaxel group and 91 in paclitaxel liposome group.And the chemotherapy doses were as follows:paclitaxel liposome and paclitaxel 135 mg/m2;cisplatin 80 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 4-6;then repeated every 21 days for two or three times.Radical radiotherapy was given to both groups at the same time.Efficacy was evaluated according to the tumor regression six months later and follow-up was done consistently.Results:The overall response rates of paclitaxel group and paclitaxel liposome group were 90.1% and 89 % respectively(P > 0.05).The one year cumulative survival was 91.4% for paclitaxel group and 89.2% for paclitaxel liposome group(P > 0.05).The incidence rates of adverse effects such as rash,gastrointestinal toxicity,bone marrow suppression and muscle/joint pain in paclitaxel liposome group were much lower than those in paclitaxel group(P < 0.05),while there was no difference regarding hair loss,hepatic function damage,peripheral neuritis and other aspects(P > 0.05).Conclusion:Paclitaxel liposome plus platinum is a safe and effective method for staging IIa-IV cervical carcinomas.While the long-term efficacy should be further observed.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in human uterine leiomyomas using differential display

In searching of differentially expressed genes in human uterine leiomyomas, differential display was used with twelve pairs of primers to compare human uterine leiomyomas with matched myometrium. False positives were eliminated by reverse Northern analysis. Positives were confirmed by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Four of 69 cDNA fragments (3 up-regulated named L1, L2 and L3 and 1 down-regulated named M1 in leiomyoma) were confirmed by Northern analysis. Sequence comparison and Northern analysis proved that L1 is exactly the human ribosomal protein S19. It was present ubiquitously in 13 tissues tested but in various levels and even in different size. L1 was highly expressed in parotidean cystadenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer examined. No mutations have been found in human uterine leiomyomas (n=6). CONCLUSIONS: hRPS19 overexpression might be a universal signal in rapid cell growth tissues.

Aberrant Expression of Notch1 in Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVE To investigate the putative role of the Notch1 receptor in cervical cancer carcinogenesis and progression. METHODS The expression of the Notch1 protein was analyzed by a Western-blotting approach in 40 cervical cancer and 30 normal cervical tissues. Some tissues were examined using RT-PCR to determine mRNA levels. Celluar localization of the Notch1 protein in the paraffin-embedded cervical tissues was also analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The Notch1 protein was detected in all 30 normal cervical tissues. In contrast, only 6 samples of 40 cervical cancer tissues showed Notch1 expression. The level of the Notch1 protein expression was significantly lower in cervical cancer tissues than that in normal tissue samples. In agreement with these observations, levels of Notch1 mRNA were found to be substantially down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues. In the immunohistochemistry staining assay, the Notch1 protein was shown to localize predominantly in the cytoplasm and nucleoli of the normal cervical squamous epithelium of the cervix, but no staining was observed in the cervical cancer cells. Notch1 expression was observed to correlate with the clinical disease stage, but there were no correlations with age, tumor size, grade or lymph node metastasis （P〉0.05）. The levels of Notch1 protein expression were significantly higher in early stages （Ⅰ-Ⅱa, 66.7%） compared to those in the advanced stages （Ⅱb～Ⅳ,12.6%）（P=0.001）. CONCLUSION Notch1 may play a role as a tumor suppressor in cervical tumorigenesis. Determination of Notch1 expression may be helpful for preoperative diagnosis and accuracy of staging. But its clinical use for cervical cancer requires further investigation.

Pneumonic benign metastasizing leiomyoma:a case report and clinical treatment

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma （BML） is a rare entity usually occuring in females with history of uterus leiomyoma. It appears as a histopathologic benign smooth muscle tumors, distant from the uterus. It is hormone dependent and progresses slowly. Operation is the main clinical treatment. The article was reported one case who was a thirty-eight years old female. She was found to have bilateral lung nodules after hysterectomy of uterine leiomyoma seven years ago. An open lung biopsy revealed that the nodules consist of proliferating smooth muscle cells with a histopathologic feature which was similar to her uterus leiomyoma. Positive staining of estrogen and progesterone receptors were detected, which proved the turner originate from utedne. The patient did not accept operation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatment. We still follow up the development of the case.

The Construction of the Eukaryotic Expression Vector of Glycerophosphodiester Phosphodiesterase Gene from Treponema pallidum and its Expression in Hela Cells

Objective: To construct the recombinant plasmid containing Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (Gpd) gene from Treponema pallidum and transfect it into Hela cells to express the encoded outer membrane protein. Methods: The Gpd gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of T.pallidum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inserted into cloning vector pUCm-T. The inserted Gpd gene was subcloned into the appropriate site of pcDNA3.1(+) vector. After identification by sequencing and restrictive enzymes digestion, the recombinant plasmid was transfected into Hela cells using liposomes. The expressed protein was identified by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results: The target Gpd gene segment was approximately 1059bp. The DNA sequence of the Gpd gene contained in the pcDNA3.1(+) vector was consistent with the published nucleotide sequence. The homology of the nucleotide and putative amino acid sequences of the Gpd gene between T. pallidum subsp. pallidum Nichols and various pathogenic treponemal strains ranged from 98% to 100%. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that the constructed Gpd-pcDNA3.1(+) vector expressed a fusion protein with a calculated molecular mass of 41KDa in Hela cells and that the expressed protein reacted with the sera from syphilis patients. Conclusion: The successful construction and expression of the eukaryotic expression plasmid of the Gpd gene from T.pallidum provide a promising tool to further study the biological activity of T.pallidum and develop a DNA vaccine for syphilis.

A POTENTIAL MECHANISM OF BREAKTHROUGH BLEEDING ASSOCIATED WITH PROGESTIN:INVOLVEMENT IN ALTERATION OF ENDOMETRIAL ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of breakthrough bleeding associated with progestin with in vitro methods.Methods The isolation and culture of human endometrial endothelial cells(HEECs)was performed with the method established in our laboratory.The content and activity of urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA)and the content of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)in cell supernatants after incubated with different concentrations of progesterone(0-5 μmol/L)and 17β-estradiol(0,0.1,or 1 nmol/L)were measured by method of ELISA.Apoptosis rate of HEECs was measured by flow cytometry.Viable cell count was measured by MTT.Results The increased level of progesterone(0.5-5 μmol/L)combined with 17β-estradiol elevated content and activity of uPA while the production of PAI-1 remained unchanged.The apoptosis of HEECs was inhibited along with the increment of total viable cell counts at higher concentrations of progesterone with 17β-estradiol.Conclusion The inhibition of apoptosis and increased content and activity of uPA may contribute to the occurrence of irregular bleeding associated with progestin use to some extent.

Gothic Heritage in Renaissance Mantua

The aim of this paper is to present the less known phenomenon of late-Gothic Mantuan architecture in the second half of the 15th century. Indeed Mantua is famous for its Renaissance monuments. However, some of the Gonzaga palaces show Gothic details, such as towers or battlements. In addition, some patricians, merchants, and priests continued to follow the Gothic tradition until the final decade of the ＂Quattrocento＂. This paper will present a first list of these interesting architectures--both public and private, religious and profane--which, in some cases and despite the Gothic language, the archival research has demonstrated a late 15th century executions.

Proliferation inhibition of human cervical cancer HeLa cells by Casticin in vitro

Objective： The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Casticin on proliferation inhibition of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in vitro and to unravel the associated mechanisms. Methods： Human cervical HeLa cells were cultured in vitro. The inhibitory effect of Casticin on the viability of human cervical cancer HeLa ceils was evaluated by the MTT assay. The colony formation ability was detected by plate colony formation assay. Distribution of cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. Results： Casticin significantly inhibited the growth of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 was 2.82 μg/mL. The colony-forming rate was reduced drastically compared with control group （P 〈 0.05）. The cells were markedly arrested at G2/M phase after the treatment of Casticin for 48 h. Western blot showed that the expression of p21 protein was up-regulated and protein level of Cyctin B1 was depressed by Casticin in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion： Casticin could inhibit the cell growth and lead to cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, and the down-regulation of Cyclin B1 protein expression and activation of p21 protein might contribute to Casticin induced cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Relationship between Mutations in DNA Sequences Loci Coding Pre-miRNAs and Genes Related to Biogenesis of SncRNAs with MiRNA Expression in Endometrial Carcinoma Tissues

Endometrial cancer （EC） is the most common and lethal gynaecological cancer type in Europe and in North America. Frequently EC arises more in the corpus proper and manifests as round, polypoid expansile masses, but it may also originate in the lower uterine segment or spread in endometrium with necrosis and hemorrhage. The analysis was performed using a custom panel containing all DNA sequences loci coding pre-miRNAs and genes related to biogenesis and regulation of sncRNAs in normal and tumor tissues extracted from 6 unrelated patients with endometrial carcinoma. The identified variations were correlated with mature miRNAs differentially expressed in the same normal and tumor endometrial tissues. The comparison analysis confirmed the high degree of cellular and genetic intratumoral heterogeneity with a temporal and spatial miRNA expression distribution in association with genomic variants identified. The classification of specific DNA mutations, onto the loci identified, should be suitable to characterize possible instability genome regions and help classification of tumors to ameliorate the clinical management of patients affected by endometrial carcinoma.

论萧纲的文学活动及其宫体文学理想

作为宫体诗风的主要倡导者,萧纲的文学观念的形成,与他本人成长的具体文学环境密切相关。本文以萧纲生平的四个阶段为线索,考察他的文学活动与宫体文学理想的形成过程。通过对这一过程的论述,萧纲《与湘东王书》对理想文学的深切关怀能得到比较透彻的理解;徐陵、庾信早年成长的平台也基本可以构建起来。

“竟陵八友”与《文选》

南朝齐竟陵王萧子良开西邸,招文学,形成'八友'文学圈子,他们不同程度地卷入政治,在文学方面创作了一批优秀的诗文,而更重要的是发现了四声的奥秘并在创作中加以运用,形成所谓'永明体',对后代的诗歌产生了巨大的影响。流行的意见认为'永明体'的领军人物得到过某些'善声沙门'的启发或指教,此事并无确证。他们对于艺术和谐的不懈追求直接启发了稍后的'宫体诗'运动和后来的格律诗。'八友'的作品大量进入萧统《文选》,代表了此前最新的新文学成果。《文选》选目的时间跨度很大,声律问题在这里并没有得到强调。

Chimera formation of platelet GPⅡb Bak a/b by intrauterine transplantation of fetal liver stem cells

Abstract:Objective To investigate whether artificial heterozygous chimeras of platelets can be established by intrauterine transplantation of fetal liver stem cells and evaluate its potential use for the treatment of Glanzmann thrombasthenia.Methods Platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ⅱb Bak a/b (or GPⅡb Ⅰle843Ser) was used as a genetic marker. A homozygous 16-week-old Bak a/a fetus (as donor) and a homozygous 16.5-week-old Bak b/b fetus (as recipient) were screened from 42 pregnant women hospitalized for abortion. PCR with allele specific primers and FOK Ⅰ digestion based on PCR products were used. Aborted donor fetal liver cell suspensions were prepared and intrauterine transplantation was carried out by infusion of 4?ml fetal liver cells (22×105) into the recipient umbilical vein under ultrasonic visualization.Results At gestation termination (abortion), 21 days after transplantation, chimera GPⅡb Bak a/b of the recipient were detected by FOK 1 digestion based on PCR from DNA and RT-PCR from platelet RNA. Conclusion Intrauterine transplantation of fetal liver cell may provide an effective way for curing GT or other inherited diseases.

On The Analysis of Labyrinth Seal Flow Induced Vibration by Oscillating Fluid Mechanics Method

A numerical model and a solution method to analyze the labyrinth seal now induced vibration by Oscillating Fluid Mechanics Method (OFMM) are presented in this paper, including the basic equations and solution procedure to determine the oscillating velocity, pressure and the dynamic characteristic coefficients of Labyrinth seal such as the stiffness coefficients and damping coefficients. The results show that this method has the advantages of both less time cousuming and high accuracy. In addition,it can be applied to the field diagnosis of the vibration of the axis of turbomachinery system.

Fluid dynamic modeling of a free piston engine with labyrinth seals

Preliminary design and simulation of a free piston engine suitable for small-scale energy production in distributed energy systems is presented in this paper.The properties,particularly the properties of gas seals of the engine are simulated using a simulation program developed for this case,and the results are utilized in preliminary main design parameter selection.The engine simulation program was developed by combining and modifying the source codes of the simulation and calculation programs obtained from Helsinki University of Technology,Tampere University of Technology,and Lappeenranta University of Technology.Because of the contact-free labyrinth seal used in the piston,the efficiency of the motor is lower than the efficiency of a conventional motor with oil lubricated piston rings.On the other hand,the lack of bearing losses,and the lack of losses associated with a crankshaft system and a gearbox,as well as the lack of lubrication oil expenses,compensates this effect.As a net result,this new motor would perform slightly better than the conventional one.Being completely oil-free,it is very environmentally friendly,and its exhaust gases are completely free of oil residuals which are causing problems in normal gas motors.

Catalpol ameliorates LPS-induced endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and TLR4/NF-κB signaling

Catalpol is the main active ingredient of an extract from Radix rehmanniae,which in a previous study showed a protective effect against various types of tissue injury.However,a protective effect of catalpol on uterine inflammation has not been reported.In this study,to investigate the protective mechanism of catalpol on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced bovine endometrial epithelial cells(bEECs)and mouse endometritis,in vitro and in vivo inflammation models were established.The Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and its downstream inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),western blot(WB),and immunofluorescence techniques.The results from ELISA and qRT-PCR showed that catalpol dose-dependently reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6,and chemokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)and CXCL5,both in bEECs and in uterine tissue.From the experimental results of WB,qRT-PCR,and immunofluorescence,the expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 were markedly inhibited by catalpol compared with the LPS group.The inflammatory damage to the mouse uterus caused by LPS was greatly reduced and was accompanied by a decline in myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity.The results of this study suggest that catalpol can exert an anti-inflammatory impact on LPS-induced bEECs and mouse endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on learning and memory abilities and expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor subunit （NR2B） in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats and to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely control group （group A）, model group （group B）, model with acupuncture group （group C） and model with electroacupunture group （group D）, with 9 in each group. All rats except those in group A were subcutaneously injected with morphine hydrochloride injectio on the back with daily dosage increased day by day. Naloxone was given 3 h after the last injection to establish the models of morphinewithdrawal rats. After the models were established, the rats were treated with acupuncture and electroacupuncture respectively at bilateral ＂Shenshu＂ （肾俞 BL 23） and ＂Zusanli＂ （足三里 ST 36） for 15 min per time, once daily for 6 days. Space learning and memory abilities of the rats were measured by Morris water maze, and protein and gene expression levels of NR2B in prefrontal cortex were measured by Western Blot and RT-PCR. Results In place navigation test, the escape latency in group B, group C and group D was significantly prolonged compared with that of group A （P〈0.01）, the escape latency in group C and group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group B （P〈0.01） and the escape latency in group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group C （P〈0.05）; during spatial probe test, the number of times crossing the platform of group B, group C and group D decreased compared with that of group A （P〈0.01）, and compared with group B, the number of times crossing the platform of group C increased and the number of group D significantly increased （P〈0.01）. Decreased protein expression level of NR2B was found in group B when compared with that of group A （P〈0.01）, increased protein expression levels of NR2B were found in group C and group D when compared with that of group B （P〈0.01）, however, the expression level in group D was higher than that in group C （P〈0.01）. mRNA expression level of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats decreased （P〈0.05）, however, compared with that of group B, the expression level increased in group D （P〈0.05）, and there was no statistical significance in increased expression level in group C （P〉0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture and eletroacupunture can improve space learning and memory abilities of merphine-withdrawal rats, with better efficacy of eletroacupuncture than that of acupuncture, the mechanisms of which may be associated with the regulation of NR2B expression in prefrontal cortex.

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2,4,and related components of the BMP signaling pathway in the mouse uterus during the estrous cycle

The objective was to investigate the expression of bone morphogenetic protein （BMP） family members in the mouse uterus during the estrous cycle by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and immunohistochemistry. Uterine samples from Swiss ICR mice were collected and dissected free of surrounding tissue. One uterine horn was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after collection and stored at -80 ℃for RNA extraction, and the other was fixed in 40 mg/ml paraformaldehyde at room temperature for immunolocalization of BMP2 protein. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression level of Bmp2 was significantly higher at proestrus than at estrus and metestrus （P〈0.05）. The relative abundance of Bmp4 exhibited significant fluctuations, but there were no statistically significant differences between the expression levels of Bmp2 and Bmp4 （P〉0.05）. The expression levels of Bmprla and Bmpr2 remained unchanged during estrous cycles. However, the level of Bmprlb mRNA decreased significantly at estrus （P〈0.05）, increasing subsequently at metestrus. Furthermore, the level of Bmprlb mRNA was significantly lower than those of Bmprla and Bmpr2 mRNA at the corresponding stages （P〈0.05）. All three receptor-regulated Smads （R-Smads） detected were differentially expressed in the mouse uterus and the expression levels of Smadl and Smad5 were significantly higher than that of Smad8 （P〈0.05）. In addition, the expression level of Smad4 did not change substantially throughout the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed that BMP2 protein was differentially expressed and localized mainly in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells throughout the estrous cycle. In conclusion, our results provide information about the variation in the mRNA levels of Bmp2 and Bmp4 and related components of the BMP signaling pathway. The data provide quantitative and useful information about the roles of endometrial BMP proposed and demonstrated by others, such as the degradation and remodeling of the endometrium.