AIM: To investigate the effect of amyloid ? on the expres sion of kines in superfamily(KIF) genes in hippocampus of SD rats. METHODS: Th e model of Alzheimer's disease was established by injection of amyloid ? to bra in ventricle of rats. The learning impairment was verified by water maze test. The levels of mR NA for five kinesin superfamily genes, KIF1A, KIF2, KIF3A, KIF4, and KIF5A, in h ippocampus of rats, were estimated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Two weeks after amyloid ? injection, the rats showed significant learning impairments. I n happocampus, the expression of KIF genes increased after amyloid ? injection. CONCLUSION: The increase in KIF gene expression may reflect th e excitotoxity of amyloid ? to neurons.

AIM: To determine the expression level of Fas molecules on the T cells isolated from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: The expression of Fas on T cells and the apoptotic rate of 36 patients with SLE in active phase and 18 normal people were determined with flow cytometry. The patients were treated with impact therapy of prednisone, methylprednisolone or cyclophosphamide, respectively, according to their conditions. Within 3 days after admission, immediately before discharging (the average days in hospital is 22.6 d), and 4 weeks after discharging, the amount of Fas molecules expressed on T cell surface was determined respectively with flow cytometry in each patient. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between SLEDAI, apoptotic rate of T cells and Fas molecules on T cells in SLE patients of active phase (P