Delightful achievements have been obtained in forestry genetic breeding since the application of transgenic technology in this field during the past 20 years. Field trials of some genetic modified (GM) trees have been carried out, and some GM trees have been commercialized. Meanwhile, the risks of ecological safety caused by GM trees have raised attention in the public gradually. These issues mainly include the horizontal transfer and vertical flow of foreign genes, and the potential effects on insects, soil ecosystems and virus. The current status of field trials, commercial applications and the potential ecological risks of GM trees were summarized. Then the prospects of GM trees were also presented.

Objective To study the correlation between drug-resistance of paclitaxel and the expres- sion levels of anti-apoptotic protein survivin and the role of matrine reversal resistance of PTX in non-small cell lung cancer.Methods The expressions of survivin in 120 samples of human lung cancer with paclitaxel chemotherapy were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Results The positive expression rate of sur- vivin was 57.5%.In the positive expression of survivin group,chemotherapy combined matrine could improve response rate and survival time(P0.05).Conclusion The survivin expression was related to the response rate of paclitaxel in lung cancer.It might be a valuable new marker to predict the drug-resistance of paclitaxel.In this prospective research,survivin protein,which promoted the apoptosis caused by paclitaxel,may be the target of martine.It could partly reverse the drug re- sistance to paclitaxel.

Objective To investigate the effect of high power microwave(HPM) irradiation on neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the cerebral cortex and hippoeampus of Wistar rats. Methods A total of 110 Wistar rats were used for this study.Three groups of 30 Wistar rats were exposed to HPM irradiation at intensities of 3,10,30 and 100 mW/cm~2,respectively.Twenty rats served as controls and were ex- posed to sham HPM irradiation.At 6 h,and at 1,3,7,14 and 28 d after irradiation,five rats from each group were sacrificed,and their cerebral cortices and hippocampi were harvested.HE staining was used to highlight any change in the structure of the cerebral cortex or hippocampus.Immunohistochemistry techniques and image analysis were used to study the changes in NPY and nNOS expression.Results 10 to 100 mW/cm~2 HPM irradiation caused pyc- nosis and deep staining of some neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.The increase in nNOS expression and decrease in NPY expression observed were significant at 3 days after irradiation.Conclusion HPM irradiation can induce injury in neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippoeampus,and abnormal NPY and nNOS expression.

Based on the genomic information of Emericella sp. 1454, in conjunction with literature analysis of its secondary metabolite emestrin, this study identified the biosynthetic precursors of emestrin and enhanced its production by supplementing the culture medium with these precursors. In this study, it was found for the first time that the addition of biosynthetic precursor, reduced glutathione, to the culture medium significantly increased emestrin yield. By incorporating 1.5 g of reduced glutathione into 50 g of rice culture medium and fermenting for 15 days, a yield of 30.82 mg of emestrin was obtained, which marked an 11.71-fold increase compared to the original fermentation approach. The method is both simple and cost-effective, establishing a solid foundation for the efficient synthesis of emestrin and similar compounds. Additionally, it serves as an important reference for enhancing the production of other epipolythiodioxopiperazine compounds.

Objective To investigate the effects of CD137-CD137L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.Methods Atherosclerotic plaque model was produced by rapid perivascular carotid collar placement in ApoE-/- mice.In vivo,the expression of NFATc1 in mice plaque and lymphocytes was detected by immunohistochemical and flow cytometry, respectively.In vitro, the NFATc1 mRNA and protein expressions in cultured lymphocytes of ApoE -/- mice were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry,respectively.Results In vivo,after stimulating CD137-CD137L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 was significantly upregulated in the atherosclerotic plaques and lymphocytes.In vitro,the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in cultured leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice were also significantly increased,the maximal effect appeared post 20 μg/ml anti-CD137 mAb- stimulation and reached maximum at 24 h at any concentrations.Anti-CD137L mAb significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATcl in lymphocytes of ApoE -/- mice,maximal effect appeared at 20 μg/ml anti-CD137L mAb and reached minimum at 24 h.Conclusion CD137-CD137L interactions can modulate the expression of NFATc1 in this ApoE -/- mice atherosclerotic plaque model.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the determination of theacrine in rat plasma after ig. administration of theacrine.

METHODBlood sample was taken timely from the eyes canthus of rats. Plasma was isolated and the protein was precipitated by ethyl acetate. Then the plasma concentration of theacrine was determined with RP-HPLC. Caffeine was used as the internal standard. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Phenomenex Luna C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 25 degrees C, a mixture of methanol-water (25: 75) as the mobile phase, at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength of 290 nm.

RESULTThe linear range of theacrine was 0.5-100 mg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 9). The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 mg x L(-1). The intra-day RSD was 1.49% 4.40% and inter-day RSD was 0.80% -10.27%. The average extraction recoveries of theacrine were 90.3% -95.8% at concentrations of 0.5, 5.0, 50 mg x L(-1). The main pharmacokinetic parameters after ig. administration of theacrine at concentration of 30 mg x kg(-1) were as follow: C(max) (35.45 +/- 30 2.68) mg x L(-1), t(max) (0.51 +/- 0.13) h, t1/2 (3.13 +/- 1.37) h, AUC(0-infinity) (2.65.39 +/- 94.71) mg x L(-1) x h.

CONCLUSIONThe method has been confirmed to be simple, stable, reproducible and with high specificity, and can be used for the pharmacokinetic study of theacrine in rats.

Animals ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; methods ; Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproducibility of Results ; Uric Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To develop a eoexpression plasmid which expressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus and know of its expressing efficiency. Methods The plasmid coexpressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus under the CMV promoter respectively was constructed by gene recombination. Cellular expression was assessed by ELISA. Results Multiple cloning site was inserted into expression vector contain hepatitis B virus PreS2-S gene. And expression unit containing hepatitis B virus PreC-C was cloned into it. HBsAg and HBeAg was detected both in the culture supernatant and in the cells. Conclusion The coexpressing plasmid was constructed successfully and it can express effectively in vitro. This has provided a basis for further research of the therapeutic HBV DNA vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo identify the etiology of an aseptic encephalitis outbreak (ten cases) in a hospital of Xiamen city from 11 to 17 May, 2011.

METHODSA total of ten patients' throat swabs, anal swabs and cerebrospinal fluid were collected and detected by RT-PCR for pan-enterovirus. The samples containing detectable pan-enterovirus were tested by PCR with genotype-specific general primers located in VP1 region of enterovirus genotype A, B and C (HEV-A, B and C). The PCR products of VP1 segment were purified and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Meanwhile, the pathogens in those samples were isolated in Vero cell culture. Homologous analysis of VP1 sequences were carried out for the cultured virus samples and the original clinical samples to identify the outbreak etiology.

RESULTSAmong the ten cases, seven cases were positive for pan-enterovirus nucleic acid. When tested by genotype-specific PCR, the throat and anal swab samples from those 7 patients were positive with HEV-B VP1 primers. Meanwhile, the HEV-B VP1 segments were sequenced and phylogenetic analyzed, which indicated the seven cases were all infected by enterovirus Echo 30. The sequences from those samples had homology of 95.3% - 97.1% with the epidemic strains in Zhejiang, 2004. Out of the seven cases, the sequences of XM2, XM3, XM4, XM8 throat swab samples and XM3, XM6 throat samples showed 99.4% - 100.0% homology which were different from the sequence of XM1, and the homology was 92.8% - 93.4%. Furthermore, the viruses were isolated using Vero cells from XM1, XM2, XM3, XM4 and XM8 throat swab samples, and the VP1 sequence showed more than 99.9% homology with the original specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe local outbreak of aseptic encephalitis was caused by Echo 30 of enterovirus genotype B, and the epidemic strains may have different genetic background.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; Enterovirus B, Human ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of a dual-energy computed tomographic angiography (DECTA) protocol using test-bolus injection with reduction of contrast material (CM) dose in second generation dual-source CT system.

METHODSTotally 57 consecutive patients underwent CT angiography scan covering the cervical and cerebral arteries. CT was performed with second generation dual-source CT system. The time to peak (T) using a test-bolus injection was calculated. The patients were divided into three groups (A, B, and C) with different CM doses (40, 45, and 50 ml) and different delay time points [ (T+1) , (T+1) , and (T+2) s] . All the patients were followed by a 48 ml saline flush. Arterial enhancements were quantified by measuring attenuation values of the aortic arch, bifurcation of common carotid artery, contralateral internal jugular vein of the CM injection, superior vein cava, proximal middle cerebral artery, basilar artery, and straight sinus on source images. Visualizations of intracranial artery and ipsilateral venous effect of the CM injection were rated on a four-point grading scale on CTA images for qualitative assessment.

RESULTSAlthough the attenuation of internal jugular vein and straight sinus were significantly lower in group A than in groups B and C (P<0.05) , the attenuation of aortic arch, superior vein cava, common carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and basilar artery vessels showed no significant differences among these three groups. The scores of the visualizations of intracranial artery and ipsilateral venous effect of the CM injection were also not significantly different among these three groups.

CONCLUSIONBased on the delay time calculated by a test-bolus injection, a reduced-dose contrast material may provide an equal degree of arterial attenuation and a lower attenuation of vein for dual-energy CTA covering the craniocervical region in second generation dual-source CT system.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography ; methods ; Contrast Media ; administration & dosage ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Head ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiation Dosage ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of C-344T in the promoter region and K173R in the exon 3 of aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) and the incidence of essential hypertension in a northern Chinese Han population.

METHODSWe conducted a case-control study including 182 hypertensive patients and 189 healthy controls in Harbin newspaper office and assayed the genotypes of C-344T and K173R using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and direct sequencing technology.

RESULTSThe distributions of C-344T and K173R genotype frequencies in men and women were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The differences of C-344T allele and genotype as well as K173R allele frequency distributions between hypertensive patients and healthy controls were not statistically significant in men and women and pooled population (P > or = 0.05). The difference of K173R genotype frequency distribution reached borderline significance (P = 0.0500) and was more pronounced in women (P = 0.0038) according to the dominant mode of inheritance. Moreover, the magnitude of this mode of inheritance was more remarkable after the confounding factors were adjusted. K173R statistically correlated with the systolic hypertension in women.

CONCLUSIONThe CYP11B2 K173R polymorphism correlates with the susceptibility of essential hypertension in the northern Chinese Han population.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic