Objective To evaluate arterial embolization in the treatment of hyperthyrodism.Methods The catheterization of the femoral artery was carried out with Seldinger's method.After super-selective catheterization of superior and inferior thyroid arteries were completed,embolization with PVA,grain of gelfoam or wreath of spring was performed.Results The procedures were succeeded in 11 cases.After the embolization,the function of thyroid gradually retuned to normal level.All of them were healed clinically.Conclusion Arterial embolization is a simple,safe,reliable and very effective treatment for hyperthyrodism.

AIM To construct a non-normalized cDNA library from Agkistrodon acutus venom gland as an imtial step to develop new and more effective venom by genetic engineering technique for screening and expressing target genes. METHODS The total RNA was extracted from fresh venom gland using Trizol. mRNA was reversely transcripted to cDNA using superscriptⅡ reverse transcriptase. Second-strand synthesis was performed using DNA polymeraseⅠ. After adding EcoRⅠ adaptor, phosphorylating the end and digesting with XhoⅠ, the cDNA was collected in five fractions (<0.25 kb, 0.25-0.5 kb, 0.5-1 kb, 1-2 kb and >2 kb) using the QIAquick Gel Extraction kit and ligated to pBluescriptⅡ vectors. The five libraries obtained were plated by infecting E.coli DH10B, constructing a cDNA library of Agkistrodon acutus venom gland. Sequencing clones at random, 8696 high quality 5′ end expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) were obtained and analyzed. The initial sequences were assembled into 2855 clusters. Among which, one of the clusters (Agkihagin) consisting of 74 ESTs was identified as a novel metalloprtoteinase based on RT-PCR and sequence analysis. RESULTSThe titers of library were 2.048×106. The novel metalloproteinase belonged to PⅢ type metalloproteinase. Its open reading frame was composed of 1827 nucleotides and coded a pre-zymogen of 608 amino acid with zinc-binding domain for metalloproteinase and Asp-Glu-Cys-Asp(DECD) domain for disintegrin. CONCLUSION The capacity of cDNA library of venom gland is above the general level of cDNA library. It would be a helpful platform to construct a catalog for transcripts in the venom gland of the Agkistrodon acutus. The sequence analysis indicates that the deduced amino acid sequence of the identified gene for metalloproteinase share the highest 87% identity with the metalloproteinase genes of other snakes in the GenBank. It lays a good foundation for the study of structure-function relationships of snake venom metalloproteinases.

Objective: To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of ultrapercutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with ureteroscopy in the treatment of severe urete. Methods: Thirty-six patients (20 males, 16 female) with ureteral obstruction underwent super-mini percutaneous nephroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope balloon dilation of 36 patients, 18 ureteral strictures occurred secondary to ureteroscope lithotripsy, 12 secondary to laparooscopic ureterolithotomy, 6 secondary to ureteral end to end anastomosis and one secondary to bladder ureter reimplantation. Results: All of the surgeries were successful. Mean operation time was 60 min, the hospital stay was 2 to 7 days, and mean bleeding volume was 43 ml. No patients suffered fever, abdominal distention and lumbar distention. All cases were followed up for 12 months. Twenty cases were cured, 10 cases performed better, and 6 cases developed re-stenosis. Treatment efficacy was around 83.3%(30/36). Conclusions Super-mini percutaneous nephroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope balloon dilation has the advantages of less bleeding, less trauma, shorter hospital stay, and remarkable curative effect, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.

OBJECTIVE: In order to verify whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of intrahepatic hematoma in its acute stage, the MRI and CT features of acute traumatic hepatic rupture (ATHR) were retrospectively studied and compared. METHODS: In the 10 cases of ATHR admitted to our institute, 3 were examined with CT, 1 with MRI and 6 with both CT and MRI in the first 24 hours post injury and 9 cases out of the 10 were checked up with MRI in the first week after injury of surgery. The shape of the traumatic lesions, the damages of the intrahepatic vessels and the severity of hepatic rupture displayed with CT and MRI were compared. RESULTS: It was found that in the first 24 hours post injury, 66.6% of hepatic injuries were shown as hypointensity on T1-weighted images and low or high density on noncontrast CT. 100% of the lesions were identified as well-marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. Damages of the hepatic and/or portal veins were observed in 7, 4 and 3 cases on T2- and T1-weighted images and noncontrast CT figures respectively. The severity of hepatic injuries were graded in 100%, 66.7% and 44.4%of cases with these 3 procedures respectively. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our findings, it is concluded that T2-weighted MRI is a more sensitive and reliable imaging modality in the detection and differentiation of the type and severity of acute hepatic rupture than T1-weighted imaging and noncontrast CT.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tongfeng trace elements nutrient balance agent on the various growth indicators, physiological indicators, and the contents of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid in one-year old Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

METHODThe plants of G. uralensis growing in Chifeng of Inner Mongolia and medicinal garden of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were fertilized for two times, respectively. The photosynthetic physiological indicators were measured by LI-6400 photosynthetic instrument. The pigments and antioxidase activities of the leaves were determined. Then contents of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid in the plants were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe application of this trace element nutrient balance agent could significantly improve the height, chla and chlb, and the photosynthetic physiology indicator such as P(n), C(i), and G(s). Similarly, it could significantly increase the fresh weight of shoots and dry weight of the roots. Compared with control block (CK), the fertilizer which was diluted by 300 times (T(1)) and 600 times (T(2)) significantly increased the content of glycyrrhizic acid by 24.72% and 20. 23%. There was significant difference between different treatments (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Tongfeng trace elements nutrient balance agent could promote growth, physiology and the content of active constituents of G. uralensis, especially the effect of T(1) was superior to T(2).

Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Fertilizers ; Flavanones ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; metabolism ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Trace Elements ; pharmacology

To obtain an initial overview of gene diversity and expression pattern in porcine thymus, 11,712 ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags) from 100-day-old porcine thymus (FTY) were sequenced and 7,071 cleaned ESTs were used for gene expression analysis. Clustered by the PHRAP program, 959 contigs and 3,074 singlets were obtained. Blast search showed that 806 contigs and 1,669 singlets (totally 5,442 ESTs) had homologues in GenBank and 1,629 ESTs were novel. According to the Gene Ontology classification, 36.99% ESTs were cataloged into the gene expression group, indicating that although the functional gene (18.78% in defense group) of thymus is expressed in a certain degree, the 100-day-old porcine thymus still exists in a developmental stage. Comparative analysis showed that the gene expression pattern of the 100-day-old porcine thymus is similar to that of the human infant thymus.
Animals ; Computational Biology ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genetic Variation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sus scrofa ; genetics ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism

Objective To observe the improving effect of Hypericum Perforatum L Extracts (HPLES)on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice. Methods The depression model was established by the method of chronic unpredictable mild stress. Fifty depression model mice were divided into model control group,fluoxetine hydrochloride group (2. 6 mg / kg),Hypericum perforatum ex-tract low,medium and high (0. 2 g / kg,0. 4 g / kg,0. 8 g / kg) dose groups according to the random num-ber table method. Another 10 normal mice matched with body weight were taken as the normal control group. The mice in normal control group and the model control group were given pure water by gavage every day,and the mice in other groups were given corresponding solution by gavage for 4 weeks. In addition to the normal control group,the mice in other groups continued to undergo chronic unpredictable mild stress during gavage. The sugar water preference test and forced swimming test were performed after the last administration. Blood samples were collected from the posterior orbital venous plexus,and the levels of dopamine (DA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by Elisa. The hippocampal tissues of mice were exam-ined by HE staining. Results Compared with the normal control group,the body mass of mice in the model control group decreased significantly at the first,second,third and fourth weeks ( t=2. 739,4. 162,4. 082, 3. 957;all P<0. 05). At the first,second,third and fourth weeks,the body mass of mice in the low,middle and high dose group of Hypericum perforatum extract were not significantly different from those in the model control group (all P>0. 05). Compared with the normal control group,the sugar water preference index of mice in the model control group was significantly reduced((61. 3± 4. 5)%,(52. 6± 5. 2)%; t=2. 721,P<0. 05),the swimming immobility time was prolonged(( 44. 3± 20. 00) s,(101. 8± 50. 8) s;t=2. 939,P<0. 05),the difference were statistically significant. Compared with the model control group,the sugar water preference index of mice in the low,middle and high dose group of Hypericum perforatum extract increased ((61. 8±4. 7)%,(65. 2±4. 1)%,(62. 6±5. 6)%,t=-3. 005,5. 073,-2. 928,all P<0. 05),the swimming immobility time decreased ((47. 2±17. 9) s,(54. 8±50. 3) s,(61. 3±44. 2) s; t=2. 803,1. 921,1. 903,all P<0. 05). The results of Elisa showed that compared with the normal control group,the levels of serum DA and BDNF of mice in the model control group were significantly lower (t=3. 031,8. 507,all P<0. 05); com-pared with the model control group,the levels of serum DA of mice in the low dose and high dose group of Hypericum perforatum were significantly higher (t=5. 025,3. 414,P<0. 05),and the serum BDNF of mice in the high dose group of Hypericum perforatum was also significantly higher (t=6. 098,P<0. 05),the differ-ence was statistically significant. HE staining showed that compared with the normal control group,the neu-rons in CA3 area of hippocampus in the model control group mice were seriously damaged,suggesting the es-tablishment of the mouse model. Compared with the model control group,the atrophy and degeneration of hippocampal CA3 cells in the three dose groups were significantly reduced. The atrophy and deformation of hippocampal CA3 neurons in the low,middle and high dose groups of Hypericum perforatum extract were re-lieved. Conclusion HPLES have obvious improving and antidepressant effects on the depression model mice induced by chronic unpredictable stress. The above effects may be related to the improvement of serum DA,DBNF level and reduce neuronal damage in CA3 area.

Benzene, a recognized hematotoxicant and carcinogen, can damage the human immune system. We studied the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in innate immunity and benzene hematotoxicity in a cross-sectional study of workers exposed to benzene (250 workers and 140 controls). A total of 1,236 tag SNPs in 149 gene regions of six pathways were included in the analysis. Six gene regions were significant for their association with white blood cell (WBC) counts (MBP, VCAM1, ALOX5, MPO, RAC2, and CRP) based on gene-region (P < 0.05) and SNP analyses (FDR < 0.05). VCAM1 rs3176867, ALOX5 rs7099684, and MPO rs2071409 were the three most significant SNPs. They showed similar effects on WBC subtypes, especially granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. A 3-SNP block in ALOXE3 (rs7215658, rs9892383, and rs3027208) showed a global association (omnibus P = 0.0008) with WBCs even though the three SNPs were not significant individually. Our study suggests that polymorphisms in innate immunity genes may play a role in benzene-induced hematotoxicity; however, independent replication is necessary.
Adult ; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase/genetics/*metabolism ; Benzene/toxicity ; Cell Count ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Hematologic Diseases/chemically induced/genetics/*metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate/genetics ; Leukocytes/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Peroxidase/genetics/*metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus genotype and its characteristics.

METHODSA SARS-associated coronavirus isolate named ZJ01 was obtained from throat swab samples taken from a patient in Hangzhou, Zhejing province. The complete genome sequence of ZJ01 consisted of 29,715 bp (GenBank accession: AY297028, version: gi: 30910859). Seventeen SARS-associated coronavirus genome sequences in GenBank were compared to analyze the common sequence variations and the probability of co-occurrence of multiple polymorphisms or mutations. Phylogenetic analysis of those sequences was done.

RESULTSBy bioinformatics processing and analysis, the 5 loci nucleotides at ZJ01 genome were found being T, T, G, T and T, respectively. Compared with other SARS-associated coronavirus genomes in the GenBank database, an A/G mutation was detected besides the other 4 mutation loci (C:G:C:C/T:T:T:T) involved in this genetic signature. Therefore a new definition was put forward according to the 5 mutation loci. SARS-associated coronavirus strains would be grouped into two genotypes (C:G:A:C:C/T:T:G:T:T), and abbreviated as SARS coronavirus C genotype and T genotype. On the basis of this new definition, the ZJ01 isolate belongs to SARS-associated coronavirus T genotype, first discovered and reported in mainland China. Phylogenetic analysis of the spike protein gene fragments of these SARS-associated coronavirus strains showed that the GZ01 isolate was phylogenetically distinct from other isolates, and compared with groups F1 and F2 of the T genotype, the isolates of BJ01 and CUHK-W1 were more closely related to the GZ01 isolate. It was interesting to find that two (A/G and C/T) of the five mutation loci occurred in the spike protein gene, which caused changes of Asp to Gly and Thr to Ile in the protein, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAttention should be paid to whether these genotype and mutation patterns are related to the virus's biological activities,epidemic characteristics and host clinical symptoms.

Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; SARS Virus ; genetics

Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) analysis has pioneered genome-wide gene discovery and expression profiling. In order to establish a gene expression index in the rice cultivar indica, we sequenced and analyzed 86,136 ESTs from nine rice cDNA libraries from the super hybrid cultivar LYP9 and its parental cultivars. We assembled these ESTs into 13,232 contigs and leave 8,976 singletons. Overall, 7,497 sequences were found similar to existing sequences in GenBank and 14,711 are novel. These sequences are classified by molecular function, biological process and pathways according to the Gene Ontology. We compared our sequenced ESTs with the publicly available 95,000 ESTs from japonica, and found little sequence variation, despite the large difference between genome sequences. We then assembled the combined 173,000 rice ESTs for further analysis. Using the pooled ESTs, we compared gene expression in metabolism pathway between rice and Arabidopsis according to KEGG. We further profiled gene expression patterns in different tissues, developmental stages, and in a conditional sterile mutant, after checking the libraries are comparable by means of sequence coverage. We also identified some possible library specific genes and a number of enzymes and transcription factors that contribute to rice development.
Arabidopsis ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; metabolism ; Databases as Topic ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Library ; Genome, Plant ; Genomics ; methods ; Multigene Family ; Open Reading Frames ; Oryza ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Software