Atherosclerosis is the outcome of polygenic inheritance and interaction of environmental factors.It is one of the important the diseases controlled by the epigenetic laws.DNA methylation is the first discovered and well-studied epigenetic molecular mechanism.There are a variety of ways for the detection of DNA methylation,each has its advantages and disadvantages.The abnormal methylation modification of genomic DNA comprehensive hypomethylation and related candidate genes is closely associated with the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.This article reviews the related research progress.

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features of the reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome(RPLS).Methods The clinical and imagig data of 9 patients with RPLS were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among the patients,4(44%)were secondary to pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome,1(11%)was second to short bowel syndrome,1(11% )was second to acute lymphoblastic leukemia,1( 11% )was second to IgA nephropathy,and 2(22%)were second to hypertensive encephalopathy.Their mean age of symptom onset was 23.4 ± 9.9 years.Their main clinical manifestations were headaches,seizures,blurred vision,and consciousness disturbance.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed symmetrical lesions of bilateral white matter in posterior brain.T1 weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging showed low or isointense signal.T2 weighted imaging,fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR),and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)map showed high-intensity signal.The symptoms of the patients disappeared after the treatment.MRI reexamination showed that the lesions disappeared completely or almost completely.Conclusions The causes of RPLS were different.The imaging mainly showed the signal of vasogenic brain edema on the posterior white matter of the brain.After timely treatment,the symptorms and imaging features were improved rapidly.The patients with young-onset RPLS are their important clinical feature.[Key wonds]Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome;Magnetic resonance imaaging;Hypertension;Age factors were improved rapidly.The patients with young-onset RPLS are their important clinical feature.

The endothelium of 20 cases of rabbit cornea including the normal and postoperated ones (2 weeks and I, 2, 3 months after penetrating keratoplasty) were observed by scanning electron microscope. The photographs of the endothelium in graft-host junction were analysed by computer-assisted image analysis system and the morphometric indexes are as follows: area of the cells, perimeters, density, figure coefficient, long axis, coefficient of variation of the area, and others. After operation the morphology and the density of the endothelial cells were different from the normal ones obviously, but the cells changed from enlargement and irregularity to normal progressively. At the time when the corneas were operated for 3 months, some differences still existed.

Objective To explore the coincidence rates of positive and reverse blood group of infants younger than six months in Xiamen area in recent years,and to analyze the difference of anti-A or anti-B antibody in infants of different age groups and different ABO blood groups.Methods 2 993 hospitalized infants from 0 to 6 months in five hospitals of Xiamen area were selected.EDTA-K2 anticoagulant blood samples were collected.Micro-column gel agglutination assay was used in ABO blood group.All the infants were divided into six groups,which aged from 0-7 days,8-14 days,15-31 days,1-2 months,3-4 months and 5-6 months.The coincidence rates of positive and reverse blood group of each group were compared.Results Of the 2 993 infants,303 cases were AB type.The coincidence rates of positive and reverse blood group of the other infants which aged from 0-7 days,8-14 days,15-31 days,1-2 months,3-4 months and 5-6 months were 57.0%,61.0%,63.0%,71.8%,84.9% and 91.0%,respectively.The coincidence rates of positive and reverse blood group between different blood groups had no statistically significant difference(x2=0.842,P=0.657).The coincidence rates of positive and reverse blood group had statistically significant difference among different age groups(x2=185.683,P<0.05).Conclusion The IgM antibody of ABO blood group is detected in infants younger than six months.Positive and reverse blood group is necessary in ABO blood group identification of infants to guarantee the safety clinical blood transfusion.

Aim To investigate the effects of 5-HT_4 receptor agonist and 5-HT_3 receptor antagonist 2-[1-(4-piperonyl)piperazinyl]benzothiazole on rat heart rhythm and the involved ionic mechanisms.Methods Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 0.1～10 μmol·L~(-1) 2-[1-(4-piperonyl)-piperazinyl]benzothiazole for 15 minutes with simultaneous ECGs recording.The whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to record effects of 2-[1-(4-piperonyl)piperazinyl]benzothiazole on inward rectifier K~+ current(I_(K1)),transient outward K~+ current(I_(to)),resting membrane potential(RMP)and action potential(AP)in enzymatic dissociated rat ventricular myocytes.Results In ex vivo Langendorff-perfused hearts,0.1～10 μmol·L~(-1) 2-[1-(4-piperonyl)piperazinyl]benzothiazole elicited singnificant rhythm disturbances.In the presence of 10 μmol·L~(-1) agent,the total of PVB were 236±37,87.5%(7/8)hearts exhibited VT,and 62.5%(5/8)hearts exhibited VF(P<0.01).At the concentration of 0.1～10 μmol·L~(-1),2-[1-(4-piperonyl)piperazinyl]benzothiazole could inhibit I_(K1)(EC50=0.74 μmol·L~(-1))and I_(to)(EC50=2.16 μmol·L~(-1)),decrease RMP and prolong action potential duration(APD)in concentration-dependent manners(n=6,P<0.01).Conclusion Inhibition of IK1,Ito and resultant prolongation of APD,depolarization of RMP might be the critical causes for induction of arrhythmias by 2-[1-(4-piperonyl)piperazinyl]benzothiazole in rat.

Objective To investigate the changes of enteric nervous system in gastrointestinal motility disorder in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as well as the influence of Chaishao Chengqi Decoction on neuronal nitric oxide synthase neuron (nNOS) neuron expression in myenteric plexus of rat intestinal tract. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 for each): sham operation group, model group and Chaishao Chengqi Decoction (CSCQD) group. SAP model was established in taurocholate into the junction of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. Model group was administered with normal saline and CSCQD group was administered with Chaishao Chengqi Decoction. The gastrointestinal transmission time was observed. Pathological changes of the pancreas were examined with HE staining under light microscope. The neuronal nitric oxide synthase neurons in the small intestines and colonic myenteric plexus were detected by the dual immunofluorescent staining. Results Compared with that in model group, transmission index was increased in CSCQD group (P<0.05). The pathological lesion of the pancreas in CSCQD group was significantly lessened (P<0.05). The percentage of NOS-immunoreactive neurons was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion By reversing the plasticity of NOS-immunoreactive neurons, Chaishao Chengqi Decoction improves the gastrointestinal motility in rats with SAP and reduces the pathological damages of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: As indicated by transplantation experiments in recent years, correlative neural active substances could be synthesized in the transplanted retina(TP); however, the growth and development situation of neural active substance positive neurons in TP is unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the differentiation and development of the neuron,and the biosynthesis of neural active substance in TP and its relationship with environment and visual center to explore the rule of development of nerve tissue and its regeneration and plasticity.DESIGN: An observatory comparative study based on animals.SETTING: Department of histology and embryology of two universities.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Experimental Animal Center of Guangzhou Medical College between August 2002 and March 2003. Totally 96 healthy SD rats in either gender were selected.INTERVENTIONS: Embryonal 14-day SD retina was transplantedin-between the epithalamus and hypothalamus of the midbrain in P1 rat and the right eye of the P1 rat was removed simultaneously. The development time of TP on the 9th day after operation was corresponding to the normal retina on the 1st day after born, which was then recorded as TP1, and so on. The development and differentiation was shown by histochemical method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development and morphological observation of TP and neurons in TP.RESULTS: TP had the same structure of each layer as normal retina and its similar growth and development rule, which also could synthesize relative neural active substance. Nitricoxide synthase(NOS) -positive neuron in TP started at TP4 and reached its peak at TP12, but the number of positive neurons was kept on a relative low level after TP22.CONCLUSION: Embryonal retina could survive and remain its original growth and development rule after intracerebral transplantation, which has same structural characters as normal retina.

Objective To study the change of glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB(GPBB)in neonates with asphyxia complicated with myocardial injury and its correlation with various perinatal factors. Methods Sixty-four neonates with asphyxia(including 39 mild asphyxia and 25 severe asphyxiated neonates,30 neonates with and 34 without myocardial injures)were enrolled and 25 healthy neonates were studied as control. The plasma levels of GPBB were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Myocardial enzymes,cardiac troponin I,electrocardiogram,chest X-ray were performed simultaneously. Results The plasma GPBB levels were significantly higher in neonates with myocardial injury(13.84,7.57 ng/ml)than those without myocardial injury(4.97,3.24 ng/ml)and control group(4.95,1.99 ng/ml)( P ＜ 0.01). The sensitivities of GPBB,cTnI and CK-MB in diagnosing myocardial injury were 90%,66.7% and 83.3%,respectively. The sensitivity of GPBB was significantly higher than that of cTnI(χ~2 ＝ 4.812,P ＜ 0.05),with no statistical difference between GPBB and CK-MB(χ~2 ＝ 0.577,P ＞ 0.05). The specificities of GPBB,cTnI and CK-MB in diagnosing myocardial injury were 88.2%,91.2% and 67.6%,respectively. The specificity of GPBB was significantly higher than that of CK-MB(χ~2 ＝ 4.191,P ＜ 0.05),with no statistical difference between GPBB and cTnI(χ~2 ＝ 0.159,P ＞ 0.05). Plasma GPBB levels were significantly higher in neonates with severe asphyxia(14.67,6.09 ng/ml)than those with mild asphyxia(5.61,3.56 ng/ml)and control group(P ＜ 0.01). GPBB levels were higher in mildly asphyxiated neonates than those in control neonates,but with no statistical significance(P ＞ 0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that plasma GPBB levels positively correlated with the cloudiness of the amniotic fluid(r ＝ 0.500,P ＜ 0.001)and negatively correlated with Apgar score(r ＝ -0.520,P ＜ 0.001). Conclusions This study indicated that GPBB can be used as an ideal biomarker of myocardial ischemia injury in neonates with asphyxia. The determination of GPBB in early neonatal period is useful in detecting and assessing the severity of myocardial injury.

Objective:To research the efficacy and adverse reactions of compound matrine injection combined with chemotherapy in the patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods:According to the order of admission, 68 patients with advanced gastric cancer were divided into the observation group (34 cases) and the control group (34 cases). The two groups of patients were given chemo-therapy, and the observation group was treated with compound matrine injection additionally. After 3 months treatment, the curative effect and KPS score before and after the treatment were compared between the two groups. And adverse drug reactions were recorded for the two groups. Results:The total effective rate of the observation group (44. 12%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (20. 59%,P<0. 05). After the treatment, the KPS score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the con-trol group (P<0. 05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The curative effect of compound matrine injection combined with chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer is notable, which can significantly improve the KPS score and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, and is worthy of promo-ted use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term toxicity of Anti-EB-virus oral liquid on beagle dogs, and to provide safety evidences for clinical experiment. METHODS: Of the total beagle dogs, three groups totaled 18 were assigned to receive Anti-EB-virus oral liquid at high (76.41 g/kg), medium (25.47 g/kg) and low dosage (8.49 g/kg), and 6 (blank control group) to receive placebo. The ratio of male to female in each group was 1∶1. The beagle dogs were administered intragastrically with drugs qd, 6 days in a week for up to 26 weeks. All the indicators were monitored and the recovery of the beagle dogs was observed. RESULTS: Dogs in high dose group vomited obviously. Gastrointestinal irritation was also noted in medium dose subgroup, but was less severe than the high dose subgroup. During the recovery stage, one dog in high dose group was strong positive in urinary protein test and one in medium dose group was strong positive in urinary occult blood test. No significant drug associated toxic reactions were noted from beagle dogs' body weight, temperature, appetite, ECG, hematology test, blood biochemical analysis, ophthalmology test, marrow test, routine urianlysis, histopathologic examination, etc. CONCLUSION: The non-toxic dose of Anti-EB-Virus Liquid on beagle dogs was 8.49 g/kg in crude drug.