AIM To study the mechanism of the protective effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by Hydrogen peroxide(H 2O 2). METHODS Based on the model of apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by H 2O 2, cell viability was tested by MTT assay. The expressions of mRNA and protein were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Pretreatment with different concentrations of SF (25～250 ?mol?L -1) for 1h increased the survival rate of PC12 cells, decreased the expressions of par-4, caspase-3 mRNA and Par-4 protein, while there was no obvious change of the activity fregment of caspase-3 P20 and caspase-3 activity. CONCLUSION SF can prevent the PC12 cells against H 2O 2 neurotoxicity in a concentration-dependent fashion. The mechanism of protection is likely related to decreasing the Par-4 level, and the relation with Caspase-3 needs further study.

WTBZ]Survivin belongs to the member of IAP family (inhibitor of apoptosis, IAP) proteins and is a bifunctional protein that suppresses apoptosis and regulates cell division. Survivin is a tumor specific antiapoptosis factor that is expressed selectively in all the most common human carcinomas but not in normal adult tissues. Studies indicated that Survivin played a crucial role in the genesis and progression of malignancy and was an important predictive/prognostic parameter in tumors. Survivin also participates in angiogenesis. Recently, Survivin has been used as a novel diagnostic/therapeutic target in cancer.

Objective To research the relationship between the gene polymorphism of serum amyloid A protein(SAA)1 and coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods By using PCR-RFLP and sequencing,the gene polymorphism of SAA1 of 183 patients with coronary heart disease and 152 healthy controls were analyzed.Result In the both groups 3 alleles(1.1,1.3,1.5)and 6 genotypes(1.1/1.1,1.1/1.5,1.1/1.3,1.3/1.3,1.3/1.5 and 1.5/1.5)were found.The frequency of 1.5 allele in healthy controls group was notably higher than that in CHD group(P

Objective To screen the mutations of MYOC gene in a Chinese primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) family from Cbengqing and investigate the relationship between the mutations in MYOC/TIGR gene and POAG.Methods In a large 4-generation glaucoma family, myocilin gene (MYOC) was screened in 39 family members, 8 of which were confirmed patients. Normal controls included 100 normal Chinese subjects.The known mutations of MYOC gene ( including G34C, C136T, G144T, G227A, C624G,G736A, C1009G, A1036G, C1081T, G1099A, G1138A, A1139C, T1430A, C1441A and C1442T) were detected by single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) , po]ymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and DNA sequencing.Results G227A mutation was detected in 2 POAG patients and 1 asymptomatic patient, but not in the controls.Cl009del mutation was identified in all patients of the pedigree and an offspring member but not in the controls. No other mutations were detected.Since the C1009del mutation was revealed for the first time, a new GenBank number FJ237047 correponding to ACI62293 was applied.Conclusions The G227A mutation is a known site and there is no relationship between G227A mutation and glaucoma. But C1009del may be related to glaucoma which suggests that morbidity could be higher in the relatives of POAG than the controls.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of general anesthesia combined with ultrasoundguided epidural block for laparoscopic surgery in neonates.Methods Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ neonates,aged 20-60 days,scheduled for elective radical operation for Hirschsprung's disease,were divided into 2 groups (n=30 each) using a random number table:general anesthesia group (group Ⅰ) and general anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided epidural block group (group Ⅱ).Anesthesia was induced by inhaling 8％ sevoflurane.Anesthesia was maintained with Ⅳ sufentanil 0.2 μg/kg,cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg and then with additional sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg and cisatracurium 0.05 mg/kg every hour and 2％-3％ sevoflurane was simultaneously inhaled in group Ⅰ.In group Ⅱ,anesthesia was maintained by inhaling 2％-3％ sevoflurane,epidural block was performed at L1.2 interspace,the catheter was caudally advanced into the epidural space under ultrasound guidance,0.8％ lidocaine was injected at a loading dose of 6 mg/kg,the local anesthetic diffusion in the epidural space was observed,and additional 0.8％ lidocaine 3 mg/kg was given every 30 min.Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded at 5 min before pneumoperitoneum,during pneumoperitoneum,at extubation and after extubation.The extubation time,duration of recovery room stay and development of assisted ventilation after extubation were recorded.Pain was assessed and scored at 5 min before discharge from recovery room.The development of epidural block-related complications was recorded in group Ⅱ.Results Operation was smoothly completed with stable anesthesia in two groups.Compared with group Ⅰ,the mean arterial pressure was significantly decreased during pneumoperitoneum and after extubation,the extubation time and duration of recovery room stay were shortened,and the requirement for assisted ventilation after extubation and pain scores were decreased in group Ⅱ (P＜0.05 or 0.01).No epidural block-related complications were found in group Ⅱ.Conclusion General anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided epidural block is safe and effective for laparoscopic surgery and is helpful for postoperative recovery in neonates.

The sigma-1 receptor (R) is a unique intracellular protein. R plays a major role in various pathological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS), implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Imaging of R in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) could serve as a noninvasively tool for enhancing the understanding of the disease's pathophysiology. Moreover, R PET tracers can be used for target validation and quantification in diagnosis. Herein, we describe the radiosynthesis, PET/CT imaging of novel R C-labeled radioligands based on 6-hydroxypyridazinone, [C]HCC0923 and [C]HCC0929. Two radioligands have high affinities to R, with good selectivity. In mice PET/CT imaging, both radioligands showed appropriate kinetics and distributions. Additionally, the specific interactions of two radioligands were reduced by compounds and (self-blocking). Of the two, [C]HCC0929 was further investigated in positive ligands blocking studies, using classic R agonist SA 4503 and R antagonist PD 144418. Both R ligands could extensively decreased the uptake of [C]HCC0929 in mice brain. Besides, the biodistribution of major brain regions and organs of mice were determined . These studies demonstrated that two radioligands, especially [C]HCC0929, possessed ideal imaging properties and might be valuable tools for non-invasive quantification of R in brain.