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.

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.

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.

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.

Objective To observe the effects of hypoxia on the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)in lung fibroblasts at different time points.Methods Fibroblasts were cultured at hypoxic condition 0,1.5,3,6,12 h respectively.CTGF mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA level were detected in each group by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The concen- tration of CTGF and MMP-9 protein in fibroblasts supernatant were determined using enzyme-linked im- munosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Hypoxia stimulated fibroblasts increased the level of CTGF mRNA with- in 1.5 h,and the levels remained at a plateau up to 6 h,and then decreased by 12 h.The level of MMP-9 mRNA increased significantly within 3 h,and the levels kept the trend for increasing.ELISA revealed that the levels of both CTGF and MMP-9 protein/cell in medium conditioned by fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia were maximal at 12 h.The level of MMP in the CTGF-Ab treated groups was significantly decreased compared to the untreated groups.Conclusions These findings suggest that hypoxia stimulates fibroblasts to release CTGF as a mitogen factor,which initiates the fibrosis cascade and airway remodeling by regulating the balance of extracellular ma- trix synthesis and degradation via MMP-9 which is secreted by fibroblast cells in response to CTGF.

Objective To explore protective effect of heparin on renal of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP).Methods Two hundred and fifteen cases with HSP were divided into heparin-treated group(110 cases,male 64,female 46) and control group (105 cases,male 61,female 44).Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were examined by using radioimmunoassay respectively.These patients were followed up for more than 6 months.Results 1.The level of IL-6,IL-8 did not show significant difference between heparin-treated group and control group before treatment.The serum concentrations of IL-6,IL-8 in heparin-treated group were obviously lower than those in control group,after treatment,there was significantly different[IL-6(116.50?19.45)vs(123.88?22.55)ng /L,t=2.573 P=0.011;IL-8(0.161?0.043)vs(0.173?0.048)?g/L,t=2.024 P=0.044].2.During more than 6 months follow-up there were 26 cases suffering from purpura nephritis in heparin-treated group, the morbidity was 25%; the morbidity in control group was 39.8%,the morbidity in treatment group was significant lower than that in control group(?2=5.061 P=0.024).The time of renal injury was significantly delay in treatment group(35.0?13.2)d compared with that of control group (26.0?12.1)d(t=2.659 P=0.010).Conclusions The serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in HSP obviously decrease after heparin treatment.Heparin therapy can decrease the morbidity of renal injury in children with HSP and delay the time of renal injury effectively.

Objective To observe the effect of community rehabilitation on the motor function and activities of daily living(ADL)of stroke patients.Methods 155 stroke patients were randomly divided into the exercises group(n=76)and control group(n=79)and evaluated with simple Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),Modified Barthel Index(MBI)and Functional Comprehensive Assessment(FCA)before treatment and 1 and 3 months after treatment.Results The evaluations of FMA,MBI and FCA were not different between two groups before treatment.One month later,the scores of MBI and FCA of the exercises group improved significantly(P<0.01),but simple FMA not improved even to 3 months after treatment(P>0.05).In the control group,the simple FMA score not improved(P>0.05),the scores of MBI and FCA had a declined tendency with disease course prolong.Conclusion The effect of community rehabilitation on the motor function of stroke patients during convalescence is not significant,but community rehabilitation may improve ADL and the quality of life.

Objective:To explore the influences of different sexes and ages on children static balance at the basis of quantitative comparison study of static postural balance of children aged 6-8(-year-odl).Method:A total of 499 children aged 6-8-year-old were recruited,which include 254 boys and 245 girls.Static postural balance test of these subjects was performed by using KY-1112 system for stabilometric analysis with subjects opening and closing eyes situations.Result:①There was a significant gender difference in static balance.At gender comparison,there was a significant difference on 3 indicators at the situations with eyes opening(P<0.05),and 3 indicators at the situations with eyes closing(P<0,01).②A significant difference Was shown in age comparison on 5 indicators(P<0.05).The mean of 5 indicators decreased with age growing.As compared with the value among Eve Area(with eyes opening and closing)and Track location Variance (with eyes opening).there Was a significant difference between children aged 8-year-old and 6-7-year-old(P<0.01),and no significant difference between 6-year-old and 7-year-old.There was a very significant difference on the LNG indicators at the situations with eyes opening and closing(P<0.01).③The value R indicator Was less than 1.Conclusion:To the children aged 6-8-year-old,there was significant gender difference in static balance,the balance function of girls was better than that of boys;there was significant age difference in static balance,with age growing the static balance rose also;relatively speaking,the gravity center shaking area was larger at forward and backward than that at leftward and rishtward.