Migration inhibitory factor in spinal tuberculosis: -173G/C polymorphisms, and transcript and protein levels in a northern province of China.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible association between migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-173G/C gene polymorphisms and transcript and plasma levels of MIF in spinal tuberculosis (TB) patients. Clinical data were collected from 254 spinal TB patients and 262 healthy controls participating in the study. The genotype of the MIF-173G/C gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped by DNA sequencing technology.

A rare case of inflammation after total hip arthroplasty due to a malpositioned prosthesis: A case report.

Rationale: Although prosthetic loosening caused by poor prosthesis positioning is common after total hip arthroplasty (THA), an inflammation caused by poor prosthesis positioning is rare. We report a case in which a THA-related inflammation was indeed caused by poor prosthesis positioning.

Patient Concerns: A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a history of persistent hip pain that had started after she had undergone THA 4 years previously.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers for artemisinin based on the surfaces of silica gel.

Artemisinin is an effective antimalarial drug isolated from the herbal medicine Artemisia annua L. Molecular imprinting is a technique of preparing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) which can specifically recognize the imprinted template molecules. In this work, silica gel were used as supporting matrix, and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was grafted onto its surface.

Synthesis of a novel pH-sensitive methacrylate amphiphilic polymer and its primary application in aqueous two-phase systems.

In this study, a novel pH-sensitive and reversible water-soluble polymer(P(ABC)) forming aqueous two-phase systems(ATPS) was synthesized by using 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate as monomers and 2,2'-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator. The P(ABC) could be recovered by adjusting isoelectric point (PI) to 8.4, and recovery at PI could reach 95%.

[Phase transfer catalyzed bioconversion of penicillin G to 6-APA by immobilized penicillin acylase in recyclable aqueous two-phase systems with light/pH sensitive copolymers].

Immobilized penicillin acylase was used for bioconversion of penicillin PG into 6-APA in aqueous two-phase systems consisting of a light-sensitive polymer PNBC and a pH-sensitive polymer PADB. Partition coefficients of 6-APA was found to be about 5.78 in the presence of 1% NaCl.

Production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid in aqueous two-phase systems by recombinant Escherichia coli with intracellular penicillin acylase.

Bioconversion of penicillin G in PEG 20000/dextran T 70 aqueous two-phase systems was achieved using the recombinant Escherichia coli A56 (ppA22) with an intracellular penicillin acylase as catalyst. The best conversion conditions were attained for: 7% (w/v) substrate (penicillin G), enzyme activity in bottom phase 52 U ml(-1), pH 7.8, temperature 37 degrees C, reaction time 40 min.

Affinity Chromatography of Urokinase Using Cefazoline as a Ligand.

Sepharose 4B-based affinity adsorbent was prepared using cefazoline as a ligand, and epichlorohydrin as an activator. The density of the ligand in the affinity adsorbents was about 43 &mgr;mol/g wet gel. The optimal adsorption pH for urokinase was 6.