Ischemic stroke as a primary symptom of neurosyphilis among HIV-negative emergency patients.

Background: Neurosyphilis is known as "the great imitator" or "the great impostor" because of its wide range of clinical symptoms. A high misdiagnosis rate of ischemic stroke was observed among neurosyphilis patients in clinical practice, which prevents patients from receiving the most appropriate treatment, and often results in more severe neurologic damage.

Methods: A total of 149 neurosyphilis patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Effects of silencing cyclooxygenase-2 expression via RNA interference on the tumorigenicity of the SMMC-7721 human hepatocarcinoma cell line.

We constructed a vector carrying a shRNA sequence against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) that was subsequently transfected into the human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC‑7721. Furthermore, we established a COX-2-deficient stable cell line and a model of tumor-shRNA transplantation in nude mice. Negative shRNA was used as the control.

Screening of the Salmonella paratyphi A CMCC 50973 strain outer membrane proteins for the identification of potential vaccine targets.

Outer membrane protein antigens usually have strong immunogenicities, closely interact with the immune system and play a significant role in the development of new vaccines. The outer membrane proteins of Salmonella paratyphi A (S. paratyphi A) were screened for immunogenicity and immunoprotection for potential vaccine targets.

Further evaluation of the characteristics of Treponema pallidum-specific IgM antibody in syphilis serofast reaction patients.

Syphilis serofast reaction (SSR) is common in clinical work. From June 2005 to May 2009, 1208 syphilis patients were chosen for research by the Xiamen Center of Clinical Laboratory in China. Serologic tests were performed with toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA).

Optimization of conditions for transfection with the Sofast gene vector.

We previously reported the synthesis and characterization of a novel cationic polymer gene vector. The present article further explored and optimized the working conditions of the Sofast gene vector both in vitro and in vivo, and improved its performance. The transfection conditions of Sofast, such as cell type, cell density, transfection time, N/P values and analysis time after transfection, were further explored.

Evaluation of a colloidal gold immunochromatography assay in the detection of Treponema pallidum specific IgM antibody in syphilis serofast reaction patients: a serologic marker for the relapse and infection of syphilis.

Syphilis remains as a worldwide public health problem; hence, it is necessary to develop a new diagnostic approach that is easier and faster than conventional tests. A new testing method to detect Treponema pallidum IgM (TP-IgM), named colloidal gold immunochromatography assay (GICA), is presented in place of fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs). TP-IgM was detected using GICA developed on syphilis-specific recombinant proteins TPN17 and TPN47.

Further evaluation of a novel nano-scale gene vector for in vivo transfection of siRNA.

In this research, a lipid-cationic polymer (LCP) containing the side-chain branching of brassidic acid was synthesized using chemical methods. As a gene vector for small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) transfection, the efficiency and biosafety of LCP were preliminarily evaluated to investigate its possible application on tumor gene therapy. The toxicity, side-effects, and biosafety of LCP were investigated in animals based on the results of in vitro experiments.

Development of a colloidal gold-immunochromatography assay to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies to Treponema pallidum with TPN17 and TPN47.

Syphilis remains a worldwide public health problem; it is necessary to develop a new diagnostic approach that is easier and faster than conventional tests. Here, we report a new testing method named colloidal gold-immunochromatography assay (GICA) to detect syphilis instead of fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-Abs). Syphilis-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody was detected with GICA established on syphilis-specific recombinant proteins, TPN17 and TPN47.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cationic polymer gene delivery vector.

Non-viral vectors have been widely used in gene transfection. However, its drawbacks limit its applications. In this study, a novel cationic polymer was developed as a DNA condensing agent for systemic gene delivery.

Development and evaluation of a novel nano-scale vector for siRNA.

To synthesize a lipid-cationic polymer (LCP) containing brassidic acid side chain and to investigate its transfection efficiency and characteristics as a siRNA gene vector. The LCP was chemically synthesized and its nucleic acid binding capacity was determined by gel electrophoresis. HeLa-EGFP and TH1080-EGFP cell lines were transfected with siRNA against enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene using a LCP to investigate the transfection efficiency.