[Clinical characteristics of pertussis in hospitalized children under 3 months]

Demographic data and clinical data were collected retrospectively from patients with pertussis at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics between March 2011 and February 2023. Among the 270 hospitalized patients, 151 cases were male and 119 were female. The youngest age of admission was 10 days and the eldest age of admission was 11 years. The 270 hospitalized patients were divided into two groups according to onset age: <3 months (n=143) and≥3 months (n=127). For those in the <3-month-old group, the incidence of severe pneumonia and severe pertussis were 21.0% and 38.5%, respectively, both were significantly higher than those in≥3-month-old group (7.9% and 11.0%, both P<0.05). For those in the <3-month-old group, paroxysmal spasmodic cough, post-tussive vomiting, paroxysmal cyanosis, apnea, and decreased heart rate after coughing were 86.7%, 25.2%, 38.5%, 7.0% and 16.8%, respectively, all were significantly higher than those in ≥3-month-old group (76.4%, 10.2%, 15.7%, 1.6% and 1.6%, all P<0.05). For those in the<3-month-old group, the incidence of hypoxemia, respiratory failure, were 36.4%, 16.8%, respectively, and both were significantly higher than those in≥3-month-old group (10.2%, 7.1%, P<0.05). It indicated that among the infants under 3 months, the incidence of vomiting after coughing, paroxysmal cyanosis, apnea, hypoxemia, respiratory failure, decreased heart rate after coughing and severe pneumonia were significantly higher than those above 3 months. Infants under 3 months were prone to severe pertussis.

Development of an immunocompetent mouse model susceptible to Cryptosporidium tyzzeri infection

AIMS

Immunocompromised mice are extensively used in the screening of vaccines and drugs for Cryptosporidium, but this study model does not reflect the real status of infection in immunocompetent animals. This study aimed to provide an optimized animal model for future studies of Cryptosporidium vaccine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three mouse strains (ICR, BALB/c and KM) with or without immunosuppression were compared after challenge with Cryptosporidium tyzzeri (C tyzzeri). The results indicated that ICR mice shed a greater number of faecal oocysts (20 346 ± 203 oocysts/g) compared with BALB/c (2077 ± 142 oocysts/g) and KM mice (3207 ± 431 oocysts/g) after experimental infection with C tyzzeri (P < .001). However, ICR mouse model is uniquely effective for C tyzzeri, not for other Cryptosporidium spp. such as C parvum. ICR mice were then used to determine the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of P23-DNA vaccine (pVAX1-P23) to C tyzzeri experimental infection. The results showed that a significant increase in anti-P23 antibody levels was induced by the pVAX1-P23 vaccine. Compared to pVAX1, TB and blank control mice, pVAX1-P23 immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL-5, IL-12p70 and IFN-γ production in sera. After challenge with 5 × 10⁶ C tyzzeri oocysts, the oocyst shedding of the pVAX1-P23 immunized group was reduced by 69.94% comparing to the infection control.

CONCLUSION

These results provide an optimized animal model for the study of prophylactic vaccines and this model might be applied to other candidates against Cryptosporidium, not only for pVAX1-P23.

Protective efficacy of recombinant Cryptosporidium parvum CpPRP1 sushi domain against C. tyzzeri infection in mice

Until now, there are no completely effective parasite-specific pharmaceuticals or immunotherapies for treatment against the zoonotic cryptosporidiosis. Sushi domain (CpSushi) is an important functional domain in Cryptosporidium parvum putative rhoptry protein-1 (CpPRP1), which is the only reported C. parvum rhoptry protein and may play key role in the course of invasion. Here, a 708-bp fragment encoding the CpSushi domain was amplified and expressed in E. coli. Immunofluorescence detection showed that CpSushi was located on the surface of C. parvum oocysts and the apical pole to the sporozoites that belonged to the position of rhoptry. Three-week-old female ICR mice were used for detecting the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of recombinant CpSushi (rCpSushi) to artificial C. tyzzeri infection. The results indicated that a significant increase of anti-CpSushi antibody response was induced by the recombinant protein. Compared to blank, Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer and adjuvant controls mice, rCpSushi-immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL4, IL5, IL12p70 and TNF-α production in vitro. The reduction rate of parasites shedding in stool in mice immunized with rCpSushi was 68.91% after challenging with C. tyzzeri. These results suggest that CpSushi could be a new promising cryptosporidiosis vaccine candidate antigen composition.

Analysis of gene expression following sciatic nerve crush and spinal cord hemisection in the mouse by microarray expression profiling

1. The responses of periphery (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS) towards nerve injury are different: while injured mammalian periphery nerons can successfully undergo regeneration, axons in the central nervous system are usually not able to regenerate. 2. In the present study, the genes which were differentially expressed in the PNS and CNS following nerve injury were identified and compared by microarray profiling techniques. 3. Sciatic nerve crush and hemisection of the spinal cord of adult mice were used as the models for nerve injury in PNS and CNS respectivey. 4. It was found that of all the genes examined, 14% (80/588) showed changes in expression following either PNS or CNS injury, and only 3% (18/588) showed changes in both types of injuries. 5. Among all the differentially expressed genes, only 8% (6/80) exhibited similar changes in gene expression (either up- or down-regulation) following injury in both PNS and CNS nerve injuries. 6. Our results indicated that microarray expression profiling is an efficient and useful method to identify genes that are involved in the regeneration process following nerve injuries, and several genes which are differentially expressed in the PNS and/or CNS following nerve injuries were identified in the present study.

[Expression of VEGF, bFGF and ER in endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of VEGF, bFGF and ER in endometrial carcinoma and its relation to the clinico-pathological manifestations and prognosis.

METHODS

A total of 66 specimens of endometrial carcinoma and 19 normal endometrium was studied by immunohistological technique with polyclonal antibodies against VEGF and bFGF, and monoclonal antibody against ER.

RESULTS

Positive expression rate of VEGF in endometrial carcinoma was 80.3%. Expression of VEGF was positively correlated with tumor grade (P < 0.01). Expression of VEGF was positively correlated with that of bFGF (P < 0.05). Negative correlation was observed between ER expression and tumor grade (P < 0.05). Prognosis of patients with negative ER expression was poor. No correlation existed between ER expression and that of VEGF and bFGF.

CONCLUSION

Expression of VEGF and bFGF may indicate that both of them contribute in the angiogenesis of endometrial carcinoma. Expression of ER has prognostic significance.

[Expression of basic fibroblastic growth factor and microvessel density in endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and microvessel density (MVD) with endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 66 specimens of endometrial carcinoma were evaluated by immunohistochemical technique with polyclonal antibody against bFGF. The microvessels were highlight by immunohistologically staining to detect factor VIII-related antigen. The area of the deepest myometrial invasion was selected for staining. Ninteen specimens of uterine prolapse were used for control.

RESULTS

Expression of bFGF was significantly correlated with tumor grade (P < 0.01). MVD was positively correlated with age, tumor grade and myometrial invasion (P < 0.01, respectively). MVD was significantly correlated with expression of bFGF (P < 0.01). Patients with bFGF strong expression and high MVD (> or = 9.4) had worse prognosis (P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

bFGF plays important role in angiogenesis in endometrial carcinoma. Expression of bFGF and MVD could be used as prognostic factors for survival in endometrial carcinoma.

[The inhibitory effect of bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide/RNA on the growth of cervical carcinoma in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To study the therapeutic effect of bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN)/RNA human cervical carcinoma in vitro.

METHODS

To transfect bcl-2 antisense ODN/RNA into Hela cells with antisense technology and observe the growth and apoptotic modulation of Hela cells.

RESULTS

The expression of bcl-2 protein and mRNA was higher in Hela cells; the bcl-2 specific antisense ODN significantly decreased bcl-2 protein expression and inhibit the growth of Hela cells. The strongest inhibitory effect was at 24 hours after transfection, the optimal concentration of antisense ODN was 10 micromol/L. The results indicated that the inhibitory effect of bcl-2 antisense ODN on cell growth and survival rate is dose dependent; the recombinant retroviral vector pDOR-AB can transfer antisense bcl-2 gene into the genome of Hela cells, bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions were significantly decreased after transfected, it demonstrated bcl-2 antisense RNA can significantly inhibit the growth of Hela cells and induce their apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate the feasibility of bcl-2 gene as a target for antisense gene therapy of human cervical carcinoma and provide the theoretical foundation and experimental evidence for further study in vivo.

Research on nucleolar organizer regions of hippocampal neuron in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To understand the cellular genetic expression of the cell's population by studying the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of hippocampal neuron of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

The postmortem human hippocampal tissues were divided into three groups, namely, the young, the elderly and the AD groups. Each group contained tissues from 10 patients. The study was conducted using image pattern analysis of the nucleoli-nucleoplasms ratio of the neurons of Nissl's stained pathological cerebral hippocampal tissues, the area of stain, and the integrating absorption of nucleoli of silver-stained NORs.

RESULTS

The nucleoli-nucleoplasms ratio of the neurons of Nissl's stained cerebral hippocampal tissues, the area of stain, and the integrating absorption of the nucleoli of hippocampal neuron were decreased in the elderly and the AD groups as compared with the young group. However, the area of stain and the integrating absorption of the nucleoli of the hippocampal neurons were relatively increased in the AD group in comparison with the elderly group.

CONCLUSION

Nissl's stain demonstrates the hypofunction of the hippocampal neurons in the elderly and the AD patients. The Silver stain of NORs shows the decline of rDNA transcription activity of the nucleoli of the hippocampal neurons in the elderly and the AD patients. However, the transcription activity of the nucleoli of the hippocampal neurons of AD patients was relatively improved, and the cellular genetic expression of the cell's population was relatively strengthened. These cellular morphological changes have probably reflected the cellular defensive system.

Over-expression of c-fos mRNA in the hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between the proto-oncogene c-fos change and neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus of the patients with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

The post mortem human hippocampal tissues were divided into three groups, namely, the aged, the young and Alzheimer's disease (AD) groups. Each group consisted of 10 patients. The diagnosis of AD was made by clinical manifestation and argentatine (Bodían) staining. Patients of both the young and the aged groups had no neurological disorders. The proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA was investigated in the hippocampal neurons using the method of in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The optical density of stained area and the integral within proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA revealed a significant increase in the hippocampal neurons in cases of Alzheimer's disease as compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The over-expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos might play a role in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease. These changes might result from a suffering stage of the hippocampal neurons or from a compensatory mechanism in the surviving neurons which are not yet affected-by the pathological process.

[Overexpression of p53 protein and its relation to HPV in squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between the expression of p53 protein and HPV infection in squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression of p53 protein was determined in the paraffin embedded tissues of 171 cases of cervical carcinoma, 68 cases of SIL and 29 cases of chronic cervicitis, using ABC immunohistochemical method. Detection and typing of HPV were carried out adopting PCR-RFLP technique on the same tissues.

RESULTS

In the cervical carcinomas, the overexpression rate (38.6%) and intensive overexpression rate (11.7%) of p53 protein were higher than those in LSIL (10.0% and 0.0%, respectively) and HSIL (35.4% and 2.1%, respectively). The overexpression rates of p53 protein in SIL and cervical carcinoma with positive HPV 18 were 87.5% and 84.3% respectively, higher than 21.2% and 10.5% in the corresponding groups carrying HPV 16, as well as 16.7% and 57.1% in the corresponding groups negative for HPV.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of p53 protein might play a role in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma. The relation between p53 overexpression and HPV 18 infection in SIL and cervical carcinoma remains to be clarified.

[Clinical significance of p21H-ras expression and H-ras codon 12 mutation in squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and carcinoma of uterine cervix]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical significance of p21 H-ras expression and H-ras codon 12 mutation in SIL and cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

p21 H-ras expression and H-ras codon 12 mutation was detected in the same paraffin embedded tissues of 171 cases of cervical carcinoma, 68 cases of SIL, and 29 cases of chronic cervicitis, by using immunohistochemical and PCR-RFLP techniques.

RESULTS

(1)p21 H-ras was over-expressed in 25.0% of the cases with low-grade SIL but in most of them the immunohistochemical staining was not strong (score < 3). p21 H-ras over-expression was present in 64. 6% of the cases with high-grade SIL and in 35.4% of them, the staining was strong (score = 3). Even higher frequency of p21 H-ras over-expression was seen in cases with cervical carcinoma (66.1%) and in about one-half (49.7%) the staining was strong. (2) H-ras codon 12 mutation was only detected in stages II and III cervical carcinoma, with frequency rate of 27.0% and 52.5% respectively. The five-year survival rate of patients with H-ras codon 12 mutation (20.3%) was significantly lower than that without mutation (79.7%). Besides, there was a correlation between lymph node metastasis and H-ras codon 12 mutation.

CONCLUSION

p21 H-ras expression is helpful for early detection of cervical carcinoma. Aggressive biological behavior of cervical carcinoma is significantly increased once the H-ras codon 12 mutation occurs. H-ras codon 12 mutation is helpful to judge prognosis of cervical carcinoma.