The bioterrorism-related anthrax, the general situation of anthrax prevalence in China and the latest advances in laboratory diagnosis of Bacillus anthracis were reviewed. The control and prevention measures on anthrax were also introduced and the measures responding to the possible bioterrorism-attack were proposed in this paper.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of patients during recovery period in low flow and circulation closed pattern anesthesia by ZEUS with isoflurane.Methods During elective gynecologic surgery,35 ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients were anesthetized with isoflurane under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation.The ventilation was used with the closed circuit breathing mode (Autocontrol) of ZEUS anesthesia machine.The time of inhale drug,exhale drug and eyes-opend,consumption of drug and complication were recorded during the process.The values of NT stage (NTS),NT index (NTI),the final endexpiratory concentration of isoflurane (EXP),MAC and hemodynamic parameters were recorded during the time of isoflurane stopping inhale,recovery of spontaneous respiration,eyes opening.Results The values of NTI (50±7,74±12,86±10,t =-9.382,t =-16.682,P ＜ 0.01),the EXP [(0.9±0.0)％,(0.1±0.1)％,0,z =-7.262,z =-7.835],MAC [(1.2±0.1)％,(0.2±0.2)％,0,z =-7.186,z =-7.728,P ＜ 0.01] and hemodynamic parameters (SBP,DBP,MAP,HR) [(108.1±13.4) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa),(66.3±12.1) mm Hg,(84.3± 12.5) mm Hg,(69.8±12.5) /min and (124.6±17.9) mm Hg,(75.7±14.5) mm Hg,(96.0±14.6) mm Hg,(82.8±15.0)/min and (128.0±16.3) mm Hg,(77.1±15.0) mm Hg,(99.8±15.3) mm Hg,(85.2±18.5) bpm] (t =-4.365,t =-2.951,t =-3.574,t =-3.921; t =-5.554,t =-3.309,t =-4.642,t =-4.085,P ＜0.01) during the time of recovery of spontaneous respiration and tracheal extubation were statistically significant compared to the time of isoflurane stopping (P＜ 0.01).None of patients experienced intraoperative was awareness.Conclusion Isoflurane can be used for closed circuit breathing mode of ZEUS anesthesia machine,but consciousness recovery need a long time.

Objective To explore the distribution and clinical significance of hepatitis B core antigen( HBcAg) in the hepatocytes of chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients. Methods Paraffin sections were made from 41 liver biopsy samples obtained from chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients. The immuno-fluorescence confocal technique was utilized to analyze the expression level and localization of HBcAg in hepatocytes. The data were analyzed by using Kruskal Wallis test and chisquare test. Results HBcAg expression were detected in 36 (87. 8%) patients, among whom 23 cases had moderate abnormal liver function, 10 with mild abnormal liver function and 3 with normal liver function. Among the cases with moderate abnormal liver function, 6 cases showed the simple membrane-type HBcAg expression, 17 cases showed mixed cytosolic-type and membrane-type HBcAg expression without the nuclear-type expression. Twelve cases with mild abnormal liver function only showed simple cytosolic-type HBcAg expression without membrane-type or nuclear-type expression. In the three patients with normal liver function, HBcAg was expressed in cytoplasm and nuclear but not on membrane. The correlation between HBcAg expression pattern and liver function was statistically significant (χ2 =10. 60, P＜0.01). Conclusion HBcAg expression is directly correlated with liver injury in chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients, which indicates that membrane expressed HBcAg is the target antigen during the immuno-attack of liver.

Objective To investigate the gene silencing,apoptosis induction and the suppression of proliferation in vivo transfected by UTMD techniques associated with shRNA techniques. Methods The survivin-shRNA expression vector was constructed. Nude mice were randomly arranged into 3 groups:control group, plasmid injection and ultrasound (P + US), P + UTMD group. Histological examination were evaluated. Protein expressions of Survivin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2, Bax,Caspase-3, Ki-67, nucleostemin (NS), p53 were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results In transplanted tumors experiment, comparing with those in C and P + US groups, protein expressions of PCNA,Ki-67,Bcl-2, Survivin, NS were down-regulated markedly, while those of Bax, Caspase-3 and P53 were up-regulated significantly ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions UTMD combined with shRNA technique can induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation significantly, without causing any apparently adverse effect,representing a new,promising technology that can be used in the tumor gene therapy and research.

Due to its effectiveness and specificity,RNA interference (RNAi) technology is widely used in the treatment of tumor,viral infectious and metabolic diseases.Noninvasively tracing the delivery of therapeutic RNA molecules in vivo and evaluating the therapeutic effects are important to promote the clinical application of RNAi technology.Molecular imaging allows noninvasive visualization of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level in vivo.It can be used to monitor the biodistribution of therapeutic RNA molecules and to assess the effects of the RNAi.This article reviews the advance of molecular imaging in monitoring the delivery of RNAi molecules and evaluating the therapeutic effects of RNAi.

Objective To evaluate the predictive effects of Narcotrend(NT) monitor on laryngeal mask intubation and consciousness recovery in propofol-laryngeal mask total intravenous anesthesia of gynecilogical surgery.Methods Thirty ASA I patients undergoing elective gynecilogical surgery under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask intubation were anesthetized with propofol by target-controlled infusion (TCI).NT monitor was used to monitor the anesthesia depth.The ventilation was used on the closed circuit breathing mode of ZEUS anesthesia machine.The values of NT stage (NTS),NT index (NTI),the effect compartment concentration (Ce) and hemodynamic parameters were recorded during the time of sleeping,laryngeal mask intubation,propofol stopping pumping,recovery of spontaneous respiration and eyes opening.The incidence rate of intraoperative awareness was recorded.Results The NTI (77±23,30±9) (Z =5.561,P =0.001),Ce [(1.1±0.4) μg/ml vs (2.2±0.4) μg/ml] (Z=6.38,P=0.006),MAP [(92±14) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa)vs (83±14) mm Hg] (t =2.490,P =0.016) and HR [(74±15) bpm vs (65±10) bpm] (t =2.688,P =0.009) of the time of intubation were significantly decreased compared to the time of sleeping.The NTI (37±7 vs 71±14)of the time of recovery of spontaneous respiration was significantly increased compared to the time of propofol stopping pumping (Z =6.34,P =0.005).The NTI (37±7 vs 83±13) (Z =6.668,P =0.003),Ce [(3.1±0.4) μg/ml vs (1.6±0.2) μg/ml] (Z =6.414,P =0.002) and HR[(59±7) bpm vs (64±8) bpm] (t =-2.825,P =0.006) of the time of eyes opening were statistically significant compared to the time of propofol stopping pumping.None of patients experienced intraoperative awareness.Conclusion NT monitor can effectively guide the intubation and extubation of laryngeal mask in total intravenous anesthesia of gynecilogical surgery.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of two different modes of follicular aspiration(FA)guided by transvaginal ultrasound(TVU)in infertile patients with clomiphene citrate(CC)-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods From December 2005 to December 2007,85 patients with CC-resistant PCOS were randomly divided into two groups.Group Ⅰ(thorough treatment)had the every possible small follicles being punctured and aspirated,while group Ⅱ(routine operation)only had the larger follicles being operated.These patients were monitored with TVU and testing the steroid hormone levels.The effect of the two methods on the hormone levels and rates of ovulation and pregnancy were analyzed.Results After the treatments,the cumulative rates of ovulation and pregnancy in the group Ⅰ were higher than those in the group Ⅱ 83.3%(25/30)vs 42.1%(16/38),?2=11.903,P=0.001;43.3%(13/30)vs 13.2%(5/38),?2=7.843,P=0.005].Moreover,the levels of luteinizing hormone(LH)and testosterone(T)were decreased significantly after the treatment in group Ⅰ (17.68?3.11)vs(11.58?1.84),t=9.220,P=0.000;(3.41?2.14)vs(1.47?1.29),t=3.937,P=0.000],whereas those in group Ⅱ were not improved markedly (17.76?4.51)vs(16.11?3.53),t=0.229,P=0.062;(3.88?1.54)vs(3.72?1.27),t=0.995,P=0.326].Conclusions Thorough treatment that has the every possible small follicle being punctured and aspirated can significantly improve the endocrinological abnormalities,and increase the rates of ovulation and pregnancy in patients with CC-resistant PCOS.

Objective:To study the effect of the association of ultrasound and microbubble with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on the expression of survivin mRNA and protein in cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines.Methods:Three survivin-shRNA expression vectors (pSIREN/S1/S2/S3) were constructed and introduced into HeLa cells.A corresponding negative control vector was constructed (pSIREN/con).The shRNA vectors were added to Hela cells transfected by LipofectamineTM (P+L) or followed by ultrasound exposure with SonoVue microbubble (US+SO).Blank control group,pSIREN/S1 plasmid only,ultrasound exposure only,pSIREN/S1 and ultrasound exposure were used as controls,respectively.The expressions of survivin mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis,respectively.Results:Three recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed.The plasmids were showed to inhibit the expression of survivin gene mRNA and protein efficiently and specifically except for the pSIREN/con,while pSIREN/S3 was significantly lower than other groups (P

Objective To study the transfeetion efficiency and safety of liposome microbubble(LM)on red fluorescent protein(RFP)in vitro and in vivo under ultrasound mediated gene transfection(USMGT)conditions.Methods Plasmids containing RFP were added to cultured Hela cells followed by ultrasound (US)exposure with LM.Different concentration of LM,US intensity and exposure time were optimized.Transfection efficiency was evaluated by fluorescent microscopy and FACS.Cell viability was verified by propidium iodide assay.In transplanted tumors in vivo study,LM and plasmid(P)were injected into the nude mice followed by US exposure(P+LM+US group).Nude mice undergoing plasmid injection alone(P group),plasmid injection and US exposure(P+US group)and plasmid and LM injection(P+LM group)were used as controls.Frozen section and histological examination were conducted and RFP expression was evaluated.Results LM and US exposure significantly increased transfeetion efficiency in cultured Hela cells (P＜ 0.01).Transfection efficiency was the most prominent under the condition of US intensity of 1.0 W/cm2 with 6%LM,duration 3 min.No apparent cell damage was found in the all groups.In transplanted tumors,strong RFP was seen in P+LM+US group.It was significantly higher than in any other groups(P＜0.0 1).No tissue damage was seen histologically.Conclusions LM could enhance USMGT effectively without causing any apparently adverse effect in vitro and in vivo.This method would be a novel,effective,safe non-viral gene transfection method and provide an alternative to current clinical gene therapy.

Objective To determine whether it could enhance gene delivery and tumor transfection in vivo by combination of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction(UTMD)with polyethylenimine(PEI)in tumor xenografts.Methods Two different reporter plasmid[lueiferase(pCMV-LUC)and red fluorescent protein(RFP)]were incubated with PEI to prepare cationic compound(PEI/DNA)in various nitrogen:phosphate ratios(N/P ratios,nmol of nitrogen in the PEI/nmol of phosphate in DNA).Formation of PEI/DNA complexes were confirmed by the gel retardation assay.Human cervical carcinoma(Hela)tumors were planted subcutaneously in both flanks of female nude mice.Tumor-bearing mice were administered by tail vein with PBS,plasmid,plasmid and Sono Vue microbubble,PEI/DNA and Sono Vue microbubble.One tumor was exposed to ultrasound irradiation (3 MHz,2 W/cm2,2 min exposure,duty cycle 20%),while the other served as control.The feasibility of targeted delivery and tissue specificity facilitated by UTMD and PEI was investigated.The mice were sacrificed 3 days after ultrasound exposure.Tissue specimens were viewed with microscopy to determine the presence of RFP expression.The efficiencies of luciferase transgene expression were determined.Histology analysis was detected.Results Electrophoresis experiment revealed that PEI was mixed with plasmid to condense DNA efficiently.The application of UTMD significantly increases the tissue transfection in vivo compared to plasmid alone.RFP expression was present in all sections of tumors that received ultrasound exposure but not in control tumors.Results of luciferase activity showed that the expression of luciferase was to be 14 times greater in ultrasound-exposed tumors(P＜0.01).More importantly,the increase in transgene expresgion was related to UTMD with the presence of PEI dramatically.At least 10-fold increase of luciferase gene transfer was obtained in irradiated tumors compared to non-irradiated controls(P＜0.01),111-fold increase compared to UTMD alone(P＜0.01).There was not significantly gene expression in other organs or tissues regardless of US exposure(P＞0.05).No tissue damage was seen histologically.Conclusions The combination of UTMD with PEI can enhance targeted delivery and expression of reporter gene to tumors at intravenous administration.It is a promising new and safe method for gene delivery in vivo.