Genetic polymorphism of properdin factor B (Bf)of alternative complement pathway was investigated in 110 patients with Gravesldisease and in 220 blood donors in Wuhan Blood Transfusion Center using high voltage agarose gel electrophoresis andsubsequent immunofixation. Results show that distributions of Bf phenotype observed in normals are in agreement with those expected from the Hardy-Weivr, erg equilibrium (XZ=5.4337, Pc~0.10),but in patients donlt (XZ=29.689~, Pc.

Objective To assess the expression of thioredoxin reductase(TR)and thioredoxin (Trx)mRNA,TR activity in human placenta in women with preeclampsia,and to discuss the relationship between Trx system and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Methods Twenty-sixwomen with preeclampsia(10 mild and 16 severe)and 28 healthy gravidas (control) were included in this study.Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)were employed to demonstrate the expression of TR and Trx in placentas.TR activity was measured spectrophotometrically.Results The expression of TR mRNA(mild:0.865±0.018;severe:0.800±0.025,P＜0.05)and Trx mRNA(mild:0.873±0.008;severe:0.818±0.025,P＜0.05)were lower in placenta of preeclampsia than in the control group(TR mRNA:0.893±0.023;Trx mRNA:0.918±0.023.P＜0.05),and those levels in the severe preeclampsia group were lower than in the mild ones.Both the mild and severe preeclampsia groups showed lower TR activity than the control(mild:17.732±1.653;severe:15.626±1.543 vs 19.770±2.432,P＜0.05),and that of the severe preeclampsia group was lower than that of the mild ones.Positive correlation was found between the TR activity and TR mRNA expression in both groups(r=0.612,P＜0.001).Conclusions Abnormal decreased expression of TR mRNA and Trx mRNA and TR activity in human placenta of preeclampsia might participate and play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Objective To evaluate the value of transabdominal sonography(TAS),transvaginal sonography(TVS),sonohysterography(SHG),and hysteroscopy(HS) in the detection of endometrial pathology in the patients with uterine cavity lesions. Methods Uterine abnormality and disease were routinely examined by TAS, TVS, SHG.Results TAS was performed in 88 cases,TVS in 45 cases,SHG in 39 cases,and HS in 23 cases.Comparison was made between different means,showing SHG and HS with the highest sensitivity,accuracy and positive evaluation,respectively as 94.29%, 90.24%, 94.29%,and 95.65%, 91.67%, 95.65%.Conclusions Transvaginal sonohysterography is an easy, accurate,econimical,painless and no-injury technique for detecting endomatrial pathology and endoluminal masses.

Objective: To investigate the changes of the cell cycle regulators ATM, Chk2 and p53 and cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells after cisplatin therapy. Methods: The proliferation-inhibiting rates of HeLa cells induced by cisplatin of different concentrations were measured by MTT assays. The mRNA and protein expressions of ATM, Chk2 and p53 of HeLa cells with and without cisplatin were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell cycle analysis was conducted by flow cytometric analysis. Results: Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions of ATM, Chk2 and p53 were increased in HeLa cells treated with cisplatin. The cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase in HeLa cells treated with cisplatin. Conclusion: Activation of ATM, Chk2 and p53 might be critical in determining whether cells survive or undergo apoptosis. Targeting ATM, Chk2 and p53 pathway might be a promising strategy for reversing chemoresistance to cisplatin in cervical cancer.

Objective: To investigate the changes of the cell cycle regulators ATM, Chk2 and p53 and cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells after cisplatin therapy. Methods: The proliferation-inhibiting rates of HeLa cells induced by cisplatin of different concentrations were measured by MTT assays. The mRNA and protein expressions of ATM, Chk2 and p53 of HeLa cells with and without cisplatin were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell cycle analysis was conducted by flow cytometric analysis. Results: Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions of ATM, Chk2 and p53 were increased in HeLa cells treated with cisplatin. The cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase in HeLa cells treated with cisplatin. Conclusion: Activation of ATM, Chk2 and p53 might be critical in determining whether cells survive or undergo apoptosis. Targeting ATM, Chk2 and p53 pathway might be a promising strategy for reversing chemoresistance to cisplatin in cervical cancer.

Objective： This study was designed to investigate the relationship between p16 protein expression and gastric carcinogenesis,depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and evaluate the role of deletion and mutation of p16 gene in exon 2 in gastric carcinoma. Methods： p16 protein expression in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion was examined by streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated(S-P) method; The deletion and mutation of p16 gene were examined respectively by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis(PCR-SSCP) in gastric carcinoma. Results： ① The positive rates of p16 protein expression were 96.25％ (77/80) in normal gastric mucosa, 92.00％ (45/50) in dysplastic gastric mucosa, and 47.54％ (58/122) in gastric carcinoma. The positive rate of p16 protein expression in gastric carcinoma was significantly lower than that in normal gastric mucosa and in dysplastic gastric mucosa (P<0.05). ② The positive rate of p16 protein expression in mucoid carcinoma (10.00％ ,1/10) was significantly lower than that of poorly differentiated carcinoma (51.22％ ,21/41), undifferentiated carcinoma (57.69％ ,15/26), and signet ring cell carcinoma (62.50％ ,10/16) (P< 0.05). ③ The positive rates of p16 protein in 30 cases paired primary and lymph node metastatic gastric carcinoma were 46.67 ％ (14/30) in primary gastric carcinoma,16.67％ (5/30) in lymph node metastatic gastric carcinoma. The positive rate of lymph node metastatic carcinoma was significantly lower than that of primary carcinoma(P<0.05). ④ Evaluation of mutation and deletion of p16 gene： There was no mutation of p16 gene in exon 2, but there were 5 cases displayed deletion of p16 gene in exon 2 in the 25 primary gastric carcinoma. Conclusions： ① The expression loss of p16 protein is related to carcinogenesis, histopathological subtypes,and lymph metastasis of gastric carcinoma. ② The mutation of p16 gene in exon 2 may not be involved in gastric carcinogenesis. But the deletion of p16 gene in exon 2 might be involved in gastric carcinogenesis.

The viable but noncuturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy when bacteria are exposed to en- vironment stress. The VBNC state is part of the life cycle of non-differentiating bacteria, and it has a far-reaching impact on traditional bacteriology. Cells in the VBNC state fail to grow on the routine bacterio- logical media, here its significance in human health and environment science are detailed. Cells entering the VBNC state exhibit dwarfing and a number of metabolic changes in respiration rates and macromolecular synthesis. This paper summarized the variations in DNA and protein comparing to the culturable cells. We also discussed the ability of cells to resuscitate from the VBNC state and return to an actively metabolizing and culturable form. Some new methods for monitoring the VBNC state were listed. Finally the future was suggested.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Herba Epimedii(HEF)on the metabolism of typeⅠcollagen and the expression of cathepsin K in the bone of ovariectomized(OVX)rats. Methods Fifty-four female SD rats were allocated into 6 groups;OVX group,sham operation group,OVX rats followed by three doses of HEF(40,80 and 160 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))and nilestriol(0.1 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))for 12 weeks respectively.Bone mineral density(BMD)of whole body was determined by dual-energy X-ray absoptiometry.The level of cross-linked N-telopeptide of typeⅠcollagen(NTx)in the urine were determined by ELISA.The amounts of typeⅠcollagen protein and cathepsin K protein in bone tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method and Western blotting.Results Compared with OVX group,the total BMD values in the HEF treated groups were increased(all P＜0.05),and the expression levels of typeⅠcollagen in three HEF treated groups rose significantly in a dose-dependent manner after 12 week,and simultaneously,both the expression of cathepsin K in bone and the level of NTx/Cr were reduced markedly(P＜0.05),being most significant(P＜0.01)in the group treated with the highest dose of HEF(160 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)).Conclusion HEF seems to be able to elevate BMD and improve bone quality of rats via promoting synthesis and inhibiting proteolysis and absorption of typeⅠcollagen in the bone.

Objective To observe the induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) by curcumin (Cur) and its mechanism.Methods After immature DCs from bone marrow cells of Wistar rats were treated with different concentrations of Cur (0,10,20 and 30?mol/L) respectively,and then the DCs were tested by flow cytometry for the surface molecules expression.After the immature DCs were treated by 30?mol/L Cur with or without stimulation of LPS,endocytosis of DCs to dextran was tested by flow cytometry.The production of IL-12 in DC culture supernatant was determined by ELISA.The levels of NF-?B p65 and RelB translocation to the nucleus were investigated by Western- blot.The activity of NF-?B was detected by NF-?B-binding ELISA and luciferase reporter gene analy- sis.The ability of DCs to stimulate the proliferation of T cells from Lewis rats were analyzed by mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR).Results Cur suppressed LPS-indueed cell-surface expression of costimu- latory molecules (CD80,CD86 and CD40) in a dose-dependent manner.When Cur was used at a con- centration of 30?mol/L,there was no marked difference in the surface molecules expression of LPS- inducing DCs as compared with immature DCs.After DCs were induced by LPS (LPS group),the positive rate of FITC-Dextran uptake was (36.6?7.2)%,and the secretory amounts of IL-12 were (415.9?42.7) pg/ml.In DCs of LPS group,the intranuclear RelB and p65 were highly expressed and their DNA binding activity was 0.65?0.08 and 0.74?0.07 respectively.The luciferase activity of reporter gene in LPS group DCs was remarkably increased to 435% as compared with that in the controls.DCs in LPS group showed strong capacity to stimulate T cells proliferation.When DCs were treated with 30?mol/L Cur followed by induction with LPS (Cur+LPS group),the positive rate of Dextran uptake was (78.6?14.2)% and remarkably higher than in LPS group (P

The normal structure of axonal terminals in lamina V of cervical spinal cordof the adult rat was examined with EM.Among 4039 various types of terminals inlamina V,the terminals with clear round synaptic vesicles(R)and the terminalswith clear flat synaptic vesicles(F)constitute about 40% each,the terminals withlarge granular vesicles(LG)about 16% and the central terminals of syntapticglomeruli about 3%.In addition,about 3.2% of the various types of terminalscontain neurofilaments,about 0.9% exhibit low electron dense axoplasm and thevesicles are partly lost or clumping.The synapses of the terminals in lamina V aremainly axodendritic,a small number of them are axoaxonal.There are more F,fewer R and LG in lamina V than those in lamina Ⅱ;thesynapses between the terminals and proximal dendrites,and axosomatic synapses aremore commonly seen in lamina V than in Ⅱ.