2006 Vol. 19, No. 3

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Numerical Simulation of Microcarrier Motion in a Rotating Wall Vessel Bioreactor
ZHI-HAO JU, TIAN-QING LIU, XUE-HU MA, ZHAN-FENG CUI
2006, 19(3): 163-168.
Objective To analyze the forces of rotational wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor on small tissue pieces or microcarrier particles and to determine the tracks of microcarrier particles in RWV bioreactor. Methods The motion of the microcarrier in the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor with both the inner and outer cylinders rotating was modeled by numerical simulation. Results The continuous trajectory of microcarrier particles, including the possible collision with the wall was obtained. An expression between the minimum rotational speed difference of the inner and outer cylinders and the microcarrier particle or aggregate radius could avoid collisions with either wall. The range of microcarrier radius or tissue size, which could be safely cultured in the RWV bioreactor, in terms of shear stress level, was determined. Conclusion The model works well in describing the trajectory of a heavier microcarrier particle in rotating wall vessel.
In Vitro Anti-HIV Activity of a Chinese Fungus Extract
ZI-CHUN XIANG, YAN JIANG, SHUN-XING GUO
2006, 19(3): 169-172.
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of the mycelium extract from a Chinese fungus (M1) on HIV-1 and its mode of action. Methods Several in vitro methods including time of action, time of addition and PCR were used to test the mode of action of M1. Results M1 inhibited acute HIV infection in vitro and was effective when it was added 12 h after infection. PCR analysis of infected cells demonstrated that M1 delayed the appearance of late product of reverse transcription and HIV was blocked before its RNA expression. Conclusion The target of M 1 is post-integration of proviral DNA.
Waste Water Disinfection During SARS Epidemic for Microbiological and Toxicological Control
CHAO CHEN, XIAO-JIAN ZHANG, YUN WANG, LING-XIA ZHU, JING LIU
2006, 19(3): 173-178.
Objective To evaluate the disinfection of wastewater in China. Methods During the SARS epidemic occurred in Beijing, a study of different disinfection methods used in the main local wastewater plants including means of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, and ultraviolet was carried out in our laboratory. The residual coliform, bacteria and trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids were determined after disinfection. Results Chlorine had fairly better efficiency on microorganism inactivation than chlorine dioxide with the same dosage. Formation of THMs and HAAs does not exceed the drinking water standard. UV irradiation had good efficiency on microorganism inactivation and good future of application in China. Organic material and ammonia nitrogen was found to be significant on inactivation and DBPs formation. Conclusion Chlorine disinfection seems to be the best available technology for coliform and bacteria inactivation. And it is of fairly low toxicological hazard due to the transformation of monochloramine.
Common SNPs of APM1 Gene Are Not Associated With Hypertension or Obesity in Chinese Population
WEI-LI YAN, SHU-FENG CHEN, JIAN-FENG HUANG, YAN SHEN, Bo-QIN QIANG, DONG-HAI LIU, DONG-FENG GU
2006, 19(3): 179-184.
Objective To investigate whether the common variants 45T/G and 276G/T in APM1 gene were associated with hypertension combined with obesity (HO) and related clinical features in Chinese Han population. Methods A case-control study design was applied. Common polymorphisms of 45T/G and 276G/T were getotyped by PCR product sequencing in 484cases with HO and 502 controls with normal blood presure and BMI < 25. Results The genotype and allele frequencies of 45T/G, 276G/T, and haplotype defined by the two variants in cases did not differ from those in controls. The means of blood pressure, BMI and waist-hip ratio did not differ among genotypes of the two polymorphisms and haplotypes. Among lipid profiles, only serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in T allele carriers than that in non-T carriers after adjusting possible confounding factors (1.21 vs 1.32 mmol/L, P=0.0001). Conclusion Polymorphisms of 45T/G and 276G/T in APM1 gene are not associated with hypertension or obesity, or their clinical features in Chinese Han population. Common polymorphism of 45T/G might be associated with serum HDL-C levels in Chinese.
Inhibitory Effects of Saponins From Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge on the Growth of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
SHANG-ZHI XIAO, MING-EN XU, YA-KUN GE, GUI-FENG XIAO
2006, 19(3): 185-191.
Objective To investigate the effects of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (SAaB) (Botanical Name: Anemarrhena Asphodeloidis Rhizoma) on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Cell proliferation was measured by a newly developed cell proliferation reagent, WST-1. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry through detecting annexin V. Nitric oxide production was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy with diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2, DA). Cell aldose reductase (AR) activity, as well as the effect of Epalrestat and interleukin-1β were also explored. Results WST assay showed that cell proliferation induced by serum was significantly inhibited by SAaB (P<0.01). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SAaB could enhance apoptotic rate of VSMCs (P<0.01). Nitric oxide production was significantly enhanced after administration of SAaB and interleukin- 1β. Moreover, AR activity of VSMCs was also remarkably inhibited by both SAaB and Epalrestat (P<0.01). Conclusion SAaB can inhibit proliferation and enhance apoptosis of VSMCs. It may protect vascular cells by inhibiting VSMC proliferation and augmenting apoptotic rate of VSMCs via NO-dependent pathway.
Influence of Chemical Oxygen Demand Concentrations on Anaerobi Ammonium Oxidation by Granular Sludge From EGSB Reactor
JING KANG, JIAN-LONG WANG
2006, 19(3): 192-196.
Objective To investigate the effect of chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations on the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX). Methods An Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor was used to cultivate the granular sludge and to perform the ANAMMOX reaction in the bench scale experiment. NH4+-N and NO2--N were measured by usingcolorimetric method. NO3--N was analyzed by using the UV spectrophotometric method. COD measurement was based on digestion with potassium dichromate in concentrated sulphuric acid. Results When the COD concentrations in the reactors were 0 mg/L, 200 mg/L, 350 mg/L, and 550 mg/L, respectively, the NH4+-N removal efficiency was 12.5%, 14.2%, 14.3%, and 23.7%; the removal amount of NO2--N was almost the same; the nitrate removal efficiency was 16.8%, 94.5%, 86.6%, and 84.2% and TN removal efficiency was 16.3%, 50.7%, 46.9%, and 50.4%, moreover, the COD removal efficiency concentrations have a significant influence on anaerobic ammonium oxidation by granular sludge.
DNA Damage, Apoptosis and C-myc, C-fos, and C-jun Overexpression Induced by Selenium in Rat Hepatocytes
RI-AN YU, CHENG-FENG YANG, XUE-MIN CHEN
2006, 19(3): 197-204.
Objective To study the effects of selenium on DNA damage, apoptosis and c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun expression in rat hepatocytes. Methods Sodium selenite at the doses of 5, 10, and 20 μmol/kg was given to rats by i.p. and there were 5 male SD rats in each group. Hepatocellular DNA damage was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis (or comet assay).Hepatocellular apoptosis was determined by TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) and flow cytometry. C-myc,c-fos, and c-jun expression in rat hepatocytes were assayed by Northern dot hybridization. C-myc, c-fos, and c-jun protein were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results At the doses of 5, 10, and 20 μmol/kg, DNA damage was induced by sodium selenite in rat hepatocytes and the rates of comet cells were 34.40%, 74.80%, and 91.40% respectively. Results also showed an obvious dose-response relationship between the rates of comet cells and the doses of sodium selenite (r=0.9501,P<0.01). Sodium selenite at the doses of 5, 10, and 20 μmol/kg caused c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun overexpression obviously. The positive brown-yellow signal for proteins of c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun was mainly located in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes with immunohistochemical method. TUNEL-positive cells were detected in selenium-treated rat livers. Apoptotic rates (%) of selenium-treated liver cells at the doses of 5, 10, and 20 μmol/kg were (3.72±1.76), (5.82±1.42), and (11.76±1.87) respectively, being much higher than those in the control. Besides an obvious dose-response relationship between apoptotic rates and the doses of sodium selenite (r=0.9897, P<0.01), these results displayed a close relationship between DNA damage rates and apoptotic rates, and the relative coefficient was 0.9021, P<0.01. Conclusion Selenium at 5-20 μmol/kg can induce DNA damage, apoptosis, and overexpression of c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun in rat hepatocytes.
Phthalate Exposure and Human Semen Quality in Shanghai A Cross-sectional Study
YUN-HUI ZHANG, LI-XING ZHENG, BING-HENG CHEN
2006, 19(3): 205-209.
Objective To monitor the level of phthalates in human semen samples and to analyze the relationship between phthalate levels and semen parameters. Methods Concentrations of three kinds of commonly used phthalates (di-ethyl phthalate, DEP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DBP; di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP) were measured using reversed-phase HPLC. Semen parameters were measured by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA). Results The three phthalates were detected in most of the biological samples, With median levels of 0.30 mg/L (0.08-1.32 mg/L) in semen specimens. There was a significant positive association between liquefied time of semen and phthalate concentrations of semen. The correlation coefficient was 0.456 for DEP, 0.475 for DBP, and 0.457 for DEHP, respectively. There was no significant difference between phthalate concentrations of semen and sperm density or livability, though the correlation coefficients were negative. Conclusion These results suggest that people who reside in Shanghai are exposed to phthalates, especially to DBP and DEHP. Although the level of phthalates is relatively mild, an association of phthalate levels and reduced quality of human semen has been shown in the present study.
Immediate-early Inducible Function in Upstream Region of junB Gene
HONG WAN, HIROSHI ISHIHARA, IZUMI TANAKA
2006, 19(3): 210-213.
Objective To analyze the upstream region of radiation-induced junB gene. Methods Four plasmids containing 250 bp, 590 bp, 900 bp and 1650 bp, and CAT reporter gene were constructed separately and introduced to L8704 cells. The cells were irradiated with 2 Gy X-rays and incubated at different intervals. Total RNA was extracted from the cells and fluctuation of the CAT mRNA level was assessed by the RNA ratio of CAT/β-actin measured by quantitative Northern blot hybridization. Results CAT mRNA expression containing 900 bp and 1560 bpjunB promoter remarkably and rapidly increased, and reached its peak 30 min after 2 Gy X-ray irradiation. Conclusions 590~900 bp fragments located in the upstream region ofjunB gene play an important role in the early process of cells against radiation.
Establishment of Cell Free Conversion System With Biotin-labelled Recombinant PrPsen Expressed in E. Coli
JIN ZHANG, JIAN-MEI GAO, FENG LI, JUN HAN, LAN CHEN, BAO-YUN ZHANG, XIAO-FAN WANG, WEI ZHOU, YONG LIU, XIAO-PING DONG
2006, 19(3): 214-218.
Objective To report a protocol using biotin-labelled PrP protein in cell free conversion assay instead of isotope. Methods A hamster PrP protein (HaPrP) was expressed in E. coli and purified with HIS-tag affinity chromatograph. After being labelled with biotin, HaPrP was mixed with PrPSc preparation from scrapie strain 263K. Results Protease-resistant bands were detected after four-day incubation. Conclusion The new conversion model provides a reliable, easily handling, and environment-friendly method for studies of prion and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
Synergistic Effect of Schwann Cells and Retinoic Acid on Differentiation and Synaptogenesis of Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells in vitro
XUE-BAO ZHANG, YUAN-SHAN ZENG, YA-YUN CHEN, WEI ZHANG, YI XIONG, SUI-JUN CHEN
2006, 19(3): 219-224.
Objective To investigate the synergistic effect of Schwann cells (YCs) and retinoic acid (RA) on differentiation and synaptogenesis of neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from hippocampus of neonatal rats. Methods The classical method for 2×2 factorial analysis experiment was used to assess synergistic action of SCs and RA. NSCs were treated with RA, SCs,and SCs + RA in DMEM/F12 with 0.5% fetal bovine serum for six days, respectively. Double immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the differentiation of NSCs including nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Map2. The expression of PSD95 was used to demonstrate synaptogenesis. Results After NSCs were treated with RA or SCs, the expression of nestin and GFAP was significantly decreased while the expression of Map2 and PSD95 was significantly increased in comparison with the control. Factorial ANOVA showed that interactions between SCs and RA could induce the expression of Map2 and PSD95. Conclusion SCs and RA could promote synergistically the neuronal differentiation and synaptogenesis of hippocampal neural stem cells in vitro while they decreased the astrocytes and nestin positive NSCs.
Identification and Determination of Microcystins in Source Water an Waterbloom Sample From Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, China
XIAO-GANG FENG, ZHEN DING, TAO WEI, CHUN-WEI YUAN, DE-GANG FU
2006, 19(3): 225-231.
Objective To identify and determine the congener and level of microcystins in the source water of Taihu Lake. Methods Improved method of SPE combined with HPLC was employed to detect the concentration and varieties of microcystins in source water and bloom samples collected from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake. Results The contents of two predominant microcystin components, MC-RR, and MC-LR, were relatively high in samples during warm months and correlated with the phase of algae growth. The maximum concentrations of MC-RR and MC-LR in water sample reached 3.09 ±0.53 μg/L and 2.39±0.41 μg/L during the period of water bloom in September 2004, respectively. Even without waterbloom, the concentration of MC-LR in source water sample was still higher than the guideline value. Conclusion The status of microcystin pollution in this region is serious and measures to monitor and control the growth of cyanobacteria are urgently needed.
Association Between Polymorphisms of DNA Repair Gene XRCC1 and DNA Damage in Asbestos-Exposed Workers
XIAO-HONG ZHAO, GUANG JIA, YONG-QUAN LIU, SHAO-WEI LIU, LEI YAN, YU JIN, NIAN LIU
2006, 19(3): 232-238.
Objective To compare the asbestos-induced DNA damage and repair capacities of DNA damage between 104 asbestos exposed workers and 101 control workers in Qingdao City of China and to investigate the possible association between polymorphisms in codon 399 of XRCC1 and susceptibility to asbestosis. Methods DNA damage levels in peripheral bloodlymphocytes were determined by comet assay, and XRCC 1 genetic polymorphisms of DNA samples from 51 asbestosis cases and 53 non-asbestosis workers with a similar asbestos exposure history were analyzed by PCR/RFLP. Results The basal comet scores (3.95±2.95) were significantly higher in asbestos-exposed workers than in control workers (0.10±0.28). After 1 h H2O2 stimulation, DNA damage of lymphocytes exhibited different increases. After a 4 h repair period, the comet scores were 50.98±19.53 in asbestos-exposed workers and 18.32±12.04 in controls. The residual DNA damage (RD) was significantly greater (P<0.01) in asbestos-exposed workers (35.62%) than in controls (27.75%). XRCC1 genetic polymorphism in 104 asbestos-exposed workers was not associated with increased risk of asbestosis. But compared with polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene XRCC1 (polymorphisms in codon 399) and the DNA damage induced by asbestos, the comet scores in asbestosis cases with Gln/Gln, Gln/Arg, and Arg/Arg were 40.26±18.94, 38.03±28.22, and 32.01±11.65, respectively, which were higher than those in non-asbestosis workers with the same genotypes (25.58±11.08, 37.08±14.74, and 29.38±10.15). There were significant differences in the comet scores between asbestosis cases and non-asbestosis workers with Gln/Gln by Student's t-test (P<0.05 or 0.01). The comet scores were higher in asbestosis workers with Gln/Gln than in those with Arg/Arg and in non-asbestosis workers exposed to asbestos, but without statistically significant difference. Conclusions Exposure to asbestos may be related to DNA damage or the capacity of cells to repair H2O2-induced DNA damage. DNA repair gene XRCC1 codon 399 may be responsible for the inter-individual susceptibility in DNA damage and repair capacities.