Double immunohistochemistry staining method was used to visualize Leu-and Met-enkephalin-immunoreactive(L-ENK-ir and M-ENK-ir) terminals on oxytocin (OT)- and vasopressin(VP)-containing cells and their processes of the rat hypothalamus. The L-ENK-ir and M-ENK-ir nerve endings were found in various density in the supraoptic nucleus(SON), the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and each of the accessory neurosecretory cell groups of the hypothalamus. The density of the L-ENK-ir endings paralleled to, but always higher than that of the M-ENK-ir terminals in the magnocellular neurosecretory cell groups. The density of the L-ENK-ir and M-ENK-ir endings was highest in the periventricular area(PeV), the anterior commissural nucleus(ACN), the dorsal medial and dorsal lateral accessory nuclei (DMN and DLN), the anterior and posterior fornical nuclei(AFN and PFN), moderate in the SON and PVN, and lowest in the nucleus circularis (NC) and the lateral hypothalamic perivascular nuclei(LHPVN). In all the cell groups, the L-ENK-ir and M-ENK-ir terminals which were found in contact with the OT- and VP-containing cells and dendrites were consistant with the density of the endings in the same area. These results indicate that ENK-ir afferents may be in extensive contact with the OT-and VP-containing cells and dendrites in the SON, PVN and the accessory magnocellular neurosecretory cell groups of the hypothalamus. These ENK-ir afferents probably play an important role in the regulation of the secretion of OT and VP.

The monoaminergic afferents to the magnocellular neurosecretory neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (SON and PVN) have been studied in many aspacts. In the present paper, double immunohistochemistry staining method was used to visualize catecholaminergic, i.e. tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir), and serotonin- immunoreactive (5-HT-ir) terminals on oxytocin (OT)- and vasopressin (VP)- containing cells and dendrites not only in the SON and PVN, but also in most of the accessory magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the hypothalamus in the rat. Both the 5-HT-ir and TH-ir terminals were found in close proximity to the OT- and VP- containing cells and dendrites in various magnocellular neurosecretory cell groups, but differing in their density. There was fairly high density of the TH-ir endings in most of the accessory neurosecretory cell groups of the hypothalamus. Fairly high to moderate density of the 5-HT-ir terminals were mainly found in the accessory cell groups. It seems that the magnocellular neurosecretory cell groups are differently regulated by CA and 5-HT inputs.

Immunohistochemical method was used to investigate the morphology and distribution of the oxytocin immunoreactive (OXT-ir) neurons and their dendrites in the subependymal plexus (SEP) around the third ventricle (OXT-SEP). The OXT-ir neurons were of magnocellular neurosecretory type which often intercalated between the ependymal cells, their dendrites were generally long and straight and mostly paralleled to or traveled within the ependyma,some of them could protrude into the ventricle, and most of them appeared heavily vacuous and have a strong tendency of grouping into fascicles. The plexus was composed of dorsal and ventral parts, the former corresponding to the extent of the magnocellular paraventricular nuclei and was extensive and dense, the dendrites were well organized; the latter was more sparse. The cell bodies and dendrites within and between different parts might mix or contact with each other. The functional significance of the plexus is discussed.

HCV NS5B, acting as a RNA dependent replication enzyme,has emerged as an attractive protein used as a target for screenig of drugs against HCV NS5B, and plays an important role in HCV replication. In the report the gene expression of NS5B in E.coli was investigated. PCR was performed to gain the gene of HCV NS5B from plasmid pBRTM/HCV 1 which contains whole sequence of HCV, and the truncated NS5B gene containing no hydrophobic domain was cloned into pGEM Teasy vector. The gene of the truncated NS5B was cut from pGEM Teasy vector and cloned into E.coli expression plasmid pET 21b, then pET 21b NS5B was transfected into E.coli cells. The protein E.coli lysates were purified and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) and Western blotting assay. The RdRp activity of NS5B was examined by scintillation proximity assay (SPA). The truncated NS5B gene was successfully cloned into pET 21b. The results of SDS PAGE and Western blotting assay showed: ①the molecular weight of the expressed product was about 68 000 D, ②The truncated NS5B protein was existed in media of E.coli cells, ③The activity of NS5BDCT21 His from HCV 1b amounted to 6 900 cpm (total incorporation of approximately). These findings suggest that soluble NS5B can be successfully expressed in E.coli and could secret into media.

PAP and ABC methods have been used to detect the Oxytocin-like (OXT-L) neurons in the hypothalamus of the rat and the results obtained were compared with the CT-HRP retrograde tracing study from the posterior pituitary to the hypothalamus by Ju et al. It was verified that the projections to the posterior pituitary came from the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, anterior and posterior fornical nucleus, perivascular cell groups, preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas, the dorsal accessory cell groups, and the periventricular area, especially forming subependymal plexuses along the lateral wall of the third ventricle and beneath the interventricular foramen. By combining WGA-HRP retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry methods, OXT-L neurons in all the above listed nuclei or cell groups were found to project to the posterior pituitary. The subependymal plexuses may serve as a link between the CSF in the ventricles and the posterior pituitary.

A sensitive ABC or PAP immunohistochemical technique visualized with glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel method was used to examine the distribution and characteristics of the supraependymal serotoninergic nerve fibers (5-HT-SEP) in the adult rat forebrain. Three types of fibers could be distinguished: a few thick fibers (about 0.9?m in diameter), large amount of intermediate fibers (about 0.4?m in diameter), and numerous thin fibers (about 0.1?m in diameter). Although the 5-HT-SEP were found in all areas of the forebrain ependyma, the density and distribution patterns of different fiber types varied. In addition, the correspondence between the densities of ependymal cilia and 5-HT-SEP indicates the modulation of the cilia activity by 5-HT-SEP.

Comparative investigation of the distribution of galanin-immunoreactive (GAL-ir) nerve fibers in the neural lobe of the human being, monkey, dog, cat and rat was studied immunohistochemically. The density of GAL-ir fibers in the posterior pituitary was highest in the dog and rat, moderate in the monkey and cat; and lowest in the human being. A dense accumulation of positive fibers appeared in the pituitary stalk bordoring the intermediate lobe. The fiber density in the central part of the posterior pituitary was slightly higher than at its periphery in the human and monkey. Moderate amount of fibers were found to spread all over the neural lobe of the dog and rat, with slightly higher density in the posterior part of the dog. In the cat, the highest density of GAL-ir fibers was found along the wall of the recess hypophysis. A slightly increasing fibers or fiber clumps were seen in the peripheral region of posterior pituitary in four species of the animals and human being. Some fibers were found surrounding the blood vessels or located in their walls.

Leu-enkphalin-like(L-ENK-L)neurons of the hypothalamus and its adjacentarea of the rat were stained immunohistochemically.It has been found that besidesthe area previously reported in the literature L-ENK-L neurons are also present inSFO and the ependyma of the third ventricle.By combining WGA-HRP retrogradetracing and immunohistochemical method,L-ENK-L neurons in supraoptic nucleus,paraventricular nucleus,periventricular area and anterior fornical nucleus were foundto project to the posterior pituitary,in which some neurons squeeze in between theependymal cells.The subependymal neurons may serve as a link between the ven-tricle and the posterior pituitary.

BACKGROUND:Operative approaches of lumbar interbody fusion include anterior (ALIF),posterior (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).The resected structures and cage implantation sites are different,and the initial stability of lumbar spine is varied.OBJECTIVE:To compare the initial stability of lumbar spine following ALIF,PLIF or TLIF in combination with bilateral pedicle screw fixation.DESIGN:Comparative observation.MATERIALS:Fifteen samples of fresh calf lumbar spine were used.METHODS:Models ofALIE PLIF and TLIF were simulated.After examination as normal group,the samples were randomly divided into three groups (n=5).Besides anterior,posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion include anterior,bilateral pedicle screw fixation was performed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Biomechanical characteristics of the lumbar spine before and after ALIF,PLIF or TLIF in combination with bilateral pedicle screw fixation.RESULTS:Following three approaches of lumbar interbody fusion,the stability of lumbar spine was significantly reduced,which was enhanced after bilateral pedicle screw fixation (torsion indexes were also increased).In addition,rigidity of the lumbar spine was enhanced.The stability indexes of lumbar spine following TLIF were significantly greater than the other approaches,indicating the initial stability of TLIF was the best.The rigidity,stress,and swain of lumbar spine following PLIF were greater than ALIE but torsion indexes were smaller than ALIE CONCLUSION:The stability of lumbar spine following lumbar interbody fusion was significantly reduced compared with normal sample.But bilateral pedicle screw fixation greatly increases the stability.Among three types of lumbar interbody fusion,the initial stability of lumbar spine following TLIF is the best.

50%;failure,defined as no remission or no deterioration of symptoms;and overall response rate, defined as cure plus improvement. Results The overall response rate was 98% (45/46), and the complete cure rate was 87% (40/46).The mean operative time in patients undergoing bladder neck suspension [(66.7?9.8)min] was significantly longer than those undergoing mid-urethral suspension [(35.1?12.1)min] (P0.005).Shortly after operation,5 cases of bladder neck suspension (28%) and 3 cases of mid-urethral suspension (11%) had urine retention (P