Chitin is one of the most important component in fungal cell wall.Biosynthesis of chitin is a complex processes and needs several chitin synthase isoenzymes.The knowledge of structure,function and regulation of chitin synthases is mainly derived from the study of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.In contrast with the 3 chitin synthases in S.cerevisiae,7 were found in most filamentous fungi.In this review the classification and function of chitin synthases are summerized,and progress in the studies on chitin synthases of filamentous fungi which are of theoretical or medical or agricultural importance,including Aspergillus nidulans,Aspergillus fumigatus and Ustilago maydis are emphasized.Recent ad-vance of research on chitin synthase as antifungal target is also discussed.

Sophoramine ( Sa ) is an alkaloid from sophora alopecuroides. Linn., in anesthetize animals ( cat, rat and rabbit), intravenous adminstra-tion of Sa reduced rapidly and markly the arterial blood pressure. The mechanism of hypotension effect of Sa is mainly attributable to its sympathetic ganglionic blocking and direct vasodilatation. Experiment on the isolated hearts of guinea pig revealed that Sa produced negative chronotropic and positive inotropic action, and increased coronary flow simultaneously.In a study of experimental arrhythmia in animals,we observed that Sa could reduce the arrhythmia induced by aconitine in rats and decreased the incidence of ventricular fibrillation induced by chloroform in mice.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting both lower and upper motor neurons,including the pyramidal tract.There have been no objective and effective method to evaluate the lesions of upper motor neurons.With non-invasive,sensitive and macroscopic advantages,the application of Regular MR,MRS,DWI,function MR and VBM on ALS will undoubtedly have great potentials in the diagnosis,disease monitor and therapy of ALS.

Objective To evaluate the effect of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in diagnosing e- sophageal and gastric varices in portal hypertension(PHT)patients.Methods Fifty-three patients with e- sophageal and gastric varices(EV、GV)of decompensation PHT and 20 patients without PHT as control were undergone EUS and esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)simultaneously.EUS detected mainly the EGV,e- sophagus and stomach collateral veins.Results EUS identified EV endoscopically in 29(54.7%)patients. EUS detected GV in 24(45.3%)patients,compared with detection in 18(34.0%)patients by esopha- gogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)(P＜0.001).EUS detected PEV in 27(51%)patients.Distribution rates of PEV in F1,F2 and F3 are 0%,28.6% and 75% respectively.The comparison between groups shows sig- nificant difference(P＜0.001).Splenic vein can be seen in both control and experimental groups with di- ameter 7.5?1.35mm VS 11.5?3.5mm respectively,the difference between two groups is significant(P＜0.001).Proximal diameters of Azygos vein in two groups is 7.36?1.29mm VS 8.77?2.94mm respective- ly.Significant difference can be found(P＜0.05).Conclusion EUS had significant value in the diagnosis of PHT with EV and GV,and especially in detecting abnormalities of extra-luminal veins.

Induced pluripotent stem cell is a landmark in the stem cell study field, which has rapidly developed in the past 10 years.By obtaining induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cell, and then differentiating into cardiomyocyte, various cardiomyocyte disease models could be established,which can be used for research of disease mechanisms, drug screening and gene therapy.This review introduces the successfully established cardiomyocyte disease models from human induced pluripotent stem cells, and points out the problems and prospects.

China ; Metals, Heavy ; Research Support as Topic ; statistics & numerical data

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; surgery ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery

Adult ; Aspergillosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; microbiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Vocal Cords ; pathology

Objective To obtain the most effective diagnosis method for diabetic muscle infarction by using the evidence based medicine.Methods In March 2006 we attempted to find the guideline,systematic review,random controlled trials,clinical controlled trials and case reports for the diagnosis of diabetic muscle infarction by searching Cochrane Library(Issue 4,2005),Embase(1974—2005),Medline(1966—2005)and CNKI database(1949—2005),then critically appraised the quality of available evidences.Results According to the present evidence,when the the patient was suspected to have diabetic muscle infarction,we should choose the sonography to exclude some common diseases at first;the CT examination of all the patients showed no obvious manifestations;the normal MRI examination of 67 patients showed obvious manifestations;the patients who did the muscle biopsy or needle biopsy did not develop any complications.Conclusion The diagnosis of diabetic muscle infarction should be based on the clinical presentations and MRI outcome,but when the diagnosis is uncertain,we should use the needle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis at an early time.

Objective To study the 6 year outcome following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) for variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension. Methods 65 patients, 51 males, 14 females, aged 35～72 years old with averaged 4.5 years, have been undergone TIPSS because of portal hypertension due to cirrhosis or Budd Chiari syndrome. The portal pressures were measured before and after TIPSS. Follow up study was done by color Doppler sonography or Barium esophageal radiogaphy for 3 months to 6 years (averaged 18 months). Repeated interventional treatments were done in cases of restenosis of the shunts. Results There were 0,2,10,5,0 cases of recurrent bleeding after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 year and 3—6 year following TIPSS respectively. Stenosis occurred in shunt paths due to thrombosis or smooth muscle cell proliferation or neointimal hyperplasia were relieved after thrombolytic therapy and repeated balloon angioplasty or stent plant among most of them. 2 were failed due to serious stenosis. 7 cases died, 2 of massive bleeding, 1 of the other cause and 4 of hepatic cancer. The other patients are getting well. Conclusions Although there were very high rates of restenosis (34%), but most of them could be treated again with interventional therapy, and in kept patency effectively. TIPSS is a still practical valuable management for massive gastric bleeding.