To investigate the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of beta-chain hemoglobin fragments, 17 fragments were synthesized by microwave-assisted solid-phase synthesis method. Wang resin or Trt(2-Cl) resin, Fmoc and HBTU-HOBt were used as solid carrier, N-terminal amino acid protecting groups and coupling reagents, respectively. The ACE inhibitory, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory, antibacterial and antitumor activities of the synthesized fragments were assayed. In vitro, Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr showed high ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 7.42 micromol x L(-1)). The results indicate that there are two active sites in Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr-Gln-Arg-Phe, one consists of Val-Val-, and the other -Gln-Arg-Phe. Peptides showed high ACE inhibitory activity when the N-terminal was hydrophobic amino acid such as Val and C-terminal tripeptide contained Phe, Trp or Arg. Some of the fragments showed low a-glucosidase inhibitory activity. No antibacterial activity or antitumor activity was detected in vitro. The results indicate that these peptides have a potential antihypertensive effect and possible application in the treatment of hypertension.

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in liver cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The specimens of liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were collected from 50 patients who received radical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from July 2007 to April 2008. The mRNA and protein expressions of DNMT1,DNMT3a and DNMT3b in liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissues was compared with those in the adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues by using t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between the protein expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissue and the clinicopathological features was analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher exact test, and the tumor-free survival time was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method and the difference in tumor-free survival rate between different patients was analyzed by Log-rank test. Results The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were 2.57, 2.29 and 4.86 times higher than those in the adjacent tissues (t = 3.94, 2. 72, 4. 06, P ＜ 0.05 ). The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were 2.38,2.14 and 4.66 times higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues, and 6.12, 4.58 and 12.99 times higher than those in the chronic hepatitis tissues. The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues ( U = 587.5,730. 0,562.5; 65.5, 64.5, 71.0, P ＜ 0.05). The protein expression of DNMT1 was correlated with the size, number,TNM stages and vascular invasion of tumors ( x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ). The protein expression of DNMT3a was correlated with the size, number and TNM stages of tumors (x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ).The mean tumor recurrence time of patients with low expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a were 9.4 and 8.7 months, which were significantly longer than 5.0 and 3.2 months of those with high expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a (x2 =3.89, 9.91, P＜0.05). Conclusions DNMTs play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.High expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a are correlated with the postoperative recurrence of liver cancer, which are valuable prognostic factors for liver cancer.

Objective To summarize the characteristics and associated malformation of fetal isolate cleft palate in prenatal ultrasonography, and analyze the reason of ultrasound misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in isolate fetal cleft palate prenatally. Methods Systemic screening was performed with two-and three-dimensional ultrasonography in 3 576 cases. The fetal lip and plane were observed especially in nasolabial coronary plane, axial plane through maxilla, median sagittal plane, oblique coronal plane through oral cleft. Meanwhile the accompanied deformity were also screened. And prenatal ultrasound results were compared with postpartum ifndings. Results Eleven in 3 598 cases (0.31%, 11/3 598) were diagnosed as fetal isolate cleft palate by prenatal ultrasonography. The ultrasonic characteristics of isolate cleft palate were:(1) One case ofⅠ° cleft palate, the ultrasonic manifestations:in median sagittal plane, the hyperecho line of median palatine suture was disappeared, and the mucous membranes above and below it were complete;in oblique coronal plane of soft palate through oral cleft, the soft palate was complete and continuous;uvula couldn′t be displayed. (2) Three cases ofⅡ° cleft palate, the ultrasonic manifestations:in median sagittal plane though jaw, the hyperecho line of median palatine suture was shorter;the latter half and the midline of soft palate was disappeared;in both paramedian sagittal plane, the arc-shaped hyperecho line of median palatine suture were displayed;and longer than the hyperecho of midline of palate;in oblique coronal plane of hard palate through oral cleft, the ifrst half hyperecho line of hard palate was continuous, the middle of the latter half hyperecho line was interrupted;in oblique coronal plane of soft palate through oral cleft, the midline of soft palate was interrupted. 3D volume data analysis showed that the ifrst half hard palate was complete, the midline of the latter half hard palate and soft palate was interrupted. (3) Seven cases ofⅢ° cleft palate, the ultrasonic manifestations:in median sagittal plane, the hyperecho line of median palatine suture was disappeared;in oblique coronal plane of hard palate through oral cleft, the middle part echoes of the hard palate was interrupted;in oblique coronal plane of soft palate through oral cleft, the midline of soft palate was interrupted;oral and nasal cavity were communicated;the hyperecho of the vomer at the lower edge of the nasal septum could be displayed though oral cavity. 3D volume data analysis showed that hard palate and soft palate were interrupted. The hyperecho of the vomer at the lower edge of the nasal septum could be displayed clearly though oral cavity. Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis was conifrmed by postpartum ifndings. And 2 cases were misdiagnosed (0.06%, 2/3 598), 1 case was missed diagnosed (8.33%, 1/12). The incidence of isolate fetal cleft palate was 0.33%(12/3 598). In 12 cases of isolate fetal cleft palate, 11 cases were accompanied with other fetal deformities, including central nervous system malformations (6/12), small jaw (6/12), urinary tract malformation (5/12), hydramnios (2/12), and absence of amniotic lfuid (1/12). Conclusions Fetal secondary palate should be routinely included in the prenatal screening. When secondary palate planes weresuccessfully demonstrated, the isolate cleft palate could be detected. Prenatal diagnosis of the isolate cleft palate is contributive to prenatal counseling and risk assessment.

The acupoint effect of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) as well as the internal relation of Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Xuanzhong (GB 39) were analyzed in this paper to explore the relationship between opposite acupoints and acupoint effect. It was found both Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) had acupoint effects, and the two acupoints had close relationship in acupoint effects (specificity along meridian and specificity of acupoints), acupoint-meridian relationship (anatomical locations, meridians and organs, indications). It is indicated the opposite acupoint of Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Xuanzhong (GB 39) had related aspects in acupoint effects, which is related with acupoint effect through specificity and relationship of acupoint-meridian.