Objective To establish a gene diagnosis assay for spinal muscular atrophy(SMA) in children. Method Analysis of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene in 19 SMA patients and in 21 normal controls were performed by using polymerase chain reaction - fragment length polymorphism (PCR - RFLP) method. Result Deletion of exon 7and 8 in SMNt gene were found in all 19 SMA patients, while no such changes were found in normal controls. Conclusion The SMNt gene exon 7 and 8 examine can be applied to SMA gene diagnosis, and the PCR- RFLP method have higher sensitivity and particularity to the SMA diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate intra-and interatrial synchronization in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by dual gate Doppler and discuss the predictive value of atrial asynchrony for detecting PAF.Methods Twenty-nine patients with PAF as AF group and 24 healthy volunteers as control group underwent echocardiography.The time interval of the onset of a'wave between mitral annular septal and lateral site was T1 by dual gate Doppler,which was used to evaluate left atrial synchronization.The time intervals from the onset of a'wave at tricuspid annular right ventricular free wall site to a'wave at tricuspid annular septal site and mitral annular lateral site were T2 and T3,which were respectively used to evaluate right atrial and interatrial synchronization.The greater time interval predicted the worse synchronization.Compared these indexes between two groups,the most valuable index was obtained and combined with left atrial volume index (LAVI) to predict PAF,its optimal values were found out by ROC curve.Results ①There were no significant differences in many other basic indexes between two groups (P ＞0.05).However,compared with control group,the ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and mitral annular velocity of septal site (e'),the diameters and volume indexes of atria were significantly increased in AF group.②T1,T2 and T3 (standardized before and after) increased significantly in AF group (P ＜0.01).Standardized T1 had the largest area under curve (AUC) for detecting PAF.The AUC of standardized T1 and LAVI were 76.6％ and 84.1％.Standardized T1 ≥29.55 ms and LAVI≥ 21.60 ml/m2 were combined for detecting PAF (sensitivity 82.8 ％,specificity 79.2％,AUC 87.1％).③ Standardized T1 was positively correlated with age,left atrial systolic diameter,LAVI,RAVI and E/e'(P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with PAF have worse intra-and interatrial synchronization and left atrial asynchrony can provide predictive value for detecting PAF.Dual gate Doppler is expected to be a new technique for evaluating intra-and interatrial synchronization accurately and detecting the risk of AF.

Objective: We observed the influence of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on protein metabolism in hepatocirrhotic rats and investigated mechanisms. Methods: Ninety rats were randomized into three groups(n=30 for each group): group A(normal rats), B(cirrhotic rats) and C(cirrhotic rats receiving rhGH). Rats in group C were subcutaneously given rhGH with a dosage of 1 U/(kg?d) for up to 1 week. The plasma concentrations of albumin(ALB), prealbumin(PA), transferrin(TF) and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) were detected on experimental day 14. And liver biopsy was taken to examine the expression level of albumin mRNA with TR-PCR. Results: The albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and IGF-1 levels in groups A and C were significantly higher than those in group B. The expression level of albumin mRNA in grup C was significantly higher than that in group B. Conclusions: The rhGH can improve the level of IGF-1 in plasma and improve the expression of albumin mRNA. Moreover, it may significantly improve the synthesis of protein and attenuate hypoproteinemia in cirrhotic rats.

OBJECTIVETo established the rapid tissue propagation system of Epimedium wushanense, in order to provide theoretical basis for industrialized seed cultivation.

METHODTiller buds E. wushanense were used as explants, with MS, B5, WPM as basic media, and added with different concentrations of plant growth regulators such as 6-BA, NAA and GA3, in order to conduct a systematic study on induction and propagation conditions for tiller buds.

RESULTThe suitable method for sterilizing bud was to disinfect with 75% ethanol for 30 s, and then treated with 0.1% HgCl2 for (4 + 2) min for consecutively twice, which could control the pollution rate below 5% and the survival rate above 75%. The optimal medium for bud induction was WPM + 6-BA 2.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.1 mg x L(-1) + GA3 0.5 mg x L(-1), with the induction rate of 75.5%; meanwhile, the basic medium and 6-BA showed significant effect on the induction rate. The propagation medium suitable for buds was MS +6-BA 2.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1), with the propagation rate of 3.3. The optimal growth of rooting medium was 1/2 WPM + IBA 0.5 mg x L(-1) + activated carbon which (0.05%), with the rooting rate of 90%, three to six strong seedlings in each plant.

CONCLUSIONThe disinfection method suitable for tiller buds and the medium combination suitable for induction, propagation and rooting of adventitious buds are screened out to establish the rapid cultivation system for tiller buds of E. wushanense.

Epimedium ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Shoots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Time Factors ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Brain Stem ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Gene Library ; Motion Sickness ; genetics ; Rats

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Motion Sickness ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Based on the ecological and economic problems in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) of Chinese material medica, we introduced the origin, concept, features and operative technology of eco-agriculture worldwide, emphasizing its modes on different biological levels of landscape, ecosystem, community, population, individual and gene in China. And on this basis, we analyzed the background and current situation of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica, and proposed its development ideas and key tasks, including: (1) Analysis and planning of the production pattern of Chinese material medica national wide. (2) Typical features extraction of regional agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (3) Investigation of the interaction and its mechanism between typical Chinese materia medica in each region and the micro-ecology of rhizosphere soil. (4) Study on technology of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (5) Extraction and solidification of eco-agriculture modes of Chinese materia medica. (6) Study on the theory of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. Also we pointed out that GAP and eco-agriculture of Chinese material medica are both different and relative, but they are not contradictory with their own features. It is an irresistible trend to promote eco-agriculture in the GAP of Chinese material medica and coordinate ecological and economic development.
Agriculture ; methods ; standards ; trends ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Ecosystem ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharynx ; metabolism ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the function and synchronization in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF) by two dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI) measuring the strain of left atrial.Methods Thirty healthy controls and thirty-five patients with PAF were studied.The PAFs were divided into group PAF1 during the diapause and group PAF2 during the stage of attack.From the strain-time curve of 2D-STI workstation,the peak velocity(Vs,Ve and Va),the peak amplitude of longitudinal strain (Ss,Se and Sa) and strain rate (SRs,SRe and SRa) were acquired in the course of systole,the early and the late diastole respectively.The synchronization of left atrial (Ts-SD,Te-SD and Ta-SD) could be gotten from the time to the peak strain.The correlation were analysed between the synchronization indices and the strain rate parameters.Results ①No significant differences were found at the age,heart rate,E/A,IVS,LVEDD and LVEF.Compared with the control group,the LAD increased and DT decreased in PAF1 and PAF2 groups (P ＜0.05).②The peak velocity were slower,the peak strain were shorter and the peak strain rate were lessened in the PAFs than the controls(P ＜0.05),except the SRa(P ＞0.05).③The Ts-SD and Te-SD were much more different during the three groups(P ＜0.05),the PAF2 showed fewer synchronization; the Ta-SD was higher in the PAF1 than the controls(P ＜0.05).④The Ta-SD had a positive correlation with SRa(r =0.61,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The reservoir and conduit function of left atrial are impaired in PAFs during the diapause,the booster pump could recover partially,however,there are dyssynchronization.The booster pump function disappear during the stage of attack and there are worse synchronization.2D-STI may paly important roles in the assessment of function and synchronization of left atrial.

Objective To observe the pathologic features on cardiac allograft and to test archived endomyocardial biopsy specimens for antibody-mediated rejection specific marker-C4d deposition and its characteristics by using immunoperoxidase (IP) techniques. Methods From January 2003 to December 2007,10 recipients underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation and 17 specimens of endomyocardial biopsy were obtained either for a protocol basis (generally at 1 st month,3rd month,1st year and 2nd year post-transplant) and on immediate clinical indications.All specimens of endomyocardial biopsy were collected for histopathological examination and C4d immunohistochemical staining,simultaneously. All pathological diagnoses were done according to 2004 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) recommendation working formulation and AMR Schema,and C4d staining intensity were graded and recorded as 0 to 3 +.Results Except 1 specimen unqualified,all 16 consecutive specimens of endomyocardial biopsy were qualified.There were 4 cases of acute T cell-mediated rejection (all graded 1 ),2 cases of Quilty lesion,and 7 cases of antibody-mediated rejection,who were documented according to ISHLT Schema and C4d deposition.Meanwhile,there were 6 cases showing evidence of antibody-mediated rejection without concurrent acute cellular rejection and only one case concordant with acute T cell-mediated rejection.One case of antibody-mediated rejection died 20 months posttransplantation due to combined transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD). The C4d in the cardiac allograft was deposited in microvasculature diffusively.Conclusion Antibody-mediated rejection is an important clinical entity following orthotopic heart transplantation and is difficult to diagnosis except to perform endomyoeardial biopsy.Immunoperoxidase staining for C4d is a sensitive and specific technique for detecting one marker of antibody-mediated rejection.