Objective To investigate the eomman causes of premature delivery,the tocolytic effect and suc-cess ratio and the birth situation of premature infants. Methods 150 pregnant women with natural delivery or iatro-genie preterm labor from 28 weeks to 34 weeks who carried out tocolytic therapy because of threatened preterm labor or premature delivery after tocolytic therapy were selected. The common inducement of premature delivery, the pro-longed gestational weeks, the success ratio of tocolyis and the birth situation of premature infants were retrospectively analyzed. Results The premature rupture of membranes(PROM) ,the spontaneous uterine contraction and iatrogenic preterm labor were the main reasons of premature labor. The primiparas are the majority. The iatrogenic partus pre-maturus were prolonged, the asphyxia rate of premature infants was still high. The incidence of premature rupture of fe-tal menbranes in pregnant with tocolytic therapy beyond 1 week was 3. 3% ,and the incidence of spontaneous urerine contraction was 4. 8%. Conclusion Antenatal care and prenatal diagnosis are important to decrease the premature labor ratio as early as possible to use the D. X. M to promote the fetal lung maturity, so as not to delay the treatment.

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effects of Sedum Sarmentosum total flavonoids ( SSTF) on hepatic fibrosis in-duced by CCl4 ,and examine the effects on the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad7. Methods:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, 100, 200 and 400 mg·kg-1 SSTF groups and colchicine positive control group. The experimental model of hepatic fibrosis in rats was established by the injection of CCL4 . The liver histopathology was examined by Mas-son stain, and the protein expression and mRNA of TGF-β 1 and Smad7 were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results:Compared with the model group, every SSTF group could significantly reduce the degree of liver fibrosis induced by CCL4(P<0. 05). The middle and high dose SSTF gouprs could significantly reduce the protein expression and mRNA of TGF-β1 (P<0. 05), and sig-nificantly increase the protein expression and mRNA of Smad 7 (P<0. 05). Conclusion:SSTF exhibits anti-hepatic fibrosis effects in rats through down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 and up-regulating the expression of Smad7 in fibrotic liver tissue.

BACKGROUND:Lumbar fusion is a conventional effective measure to treat spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or with deformity. Bilateral pedicle screw fixation is recognized as the standard treatment for various spinal disorders, and has biomechanical and clinical advantages. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of bilateral pedicle screw fixation in the repair of lumbar disc herniation to restore disc height from the angle of imaging. METHODS: Clinical data of 42 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. They al received bilateral pedicle screw fixation. Pain was evaluated before implantation, immediately and 1 month after implantation using Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of lower back pain and visual analog scale score. X-ray including anteriorposterior and lateral films of lumbar spine and MRI were used. CT was utilized to verify screw placement conditions and complications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 42 patients were folowed up for 3-6 months. Compared with pre-implantation, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and visual analog scale score were significantly improved immediately after implantation (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score between 1 month and immediately after implantation (P > 0.05). The height of intervertebral discs was significantly higher immediately and 1 month after implantation than pre-implantation (P < 0.01). The symptoms were lessened after fixation in al cases, and their qualities of life elevated. At 1 month, X-ray films and CT images revealed that no screw loosening, breakage or displacement occurred. The height of intervertebral discs was perfectly restored. No adverse events appeared in patients. These data indicate that bilateral pedicle screw fixation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation can effectively restore the height of intervertebral discs, improve clinical symptoms and have biological and clinical superiority.

Objective: To compare the content of total saponins and total polysaccharides between formula granule and traditional decoction of Sijunzi decoction.Methods: UV spectrophotometry was used to determine the content of total saponins and total polysaccharides in formula granule and traditional decoction of Sijunzi decoction respectively at the wavelength of 540 nm and 488 nm.Results: The absorbance of ginsenoside Re had a good linear correlation with the concentration within the range of 10.909-65.454 μg · ml-1 (r=0.999 7), and the average recovery was 98.49%(RSD=0.85%, n=6);the absorbance of D-anhydrous glucose had a good linear correlation with the concentration within the range of 2.160-12.960 μg · ml-1 (r=0.999 7), and the average recovery was 99.46%(RSD=0.73%, n=6).The contents of total saponins from 3 batches of formula granule were slightly higher than those from traditional decoction,and that of total polysaccharides in formula granule was slightly lower than that in traditional decoction,and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05)Conclusion: The difference of material basis between formula granule and traditional decoction of Sijunzi decoction is small, and formula granule is more feasible for clinical application.

Objective The fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technique is a method for the identification and isolation of different cell populations.At present,the special surface marker for limbal stem cells has been not found yet.This study aimed to investigate the application of FACS technique in the research of rabbit limbal stem cells.MethodsCorneal limbal tissue was obtained from New Zealand white rabbits and cultured using the explant culture method in SHEM.Side population cells (SP cells) and non-SP cells were sorted from cultured rabbit limbal epithelium cells by FACS at a excitation wavelength 350 nm,and acquistion length 450 nm (blue light) and 675 nm (red light).The SP cells and non-SP cells were identified by detecting the expression of ABCG2 and K3/K12.The colony-forming efficiency of SP cells and non-SP cells were evaluated by the observation of cellular vitality with trypan blue staining.The percentage of colony formation was calculated as the colony number in various group/200×100%.ResultsIn 48-72 hours after primary culture,limbal epithelial cells migrated from the cultured tissue mass to form the mambrane-like structure and achieved 70%-80% confluence.The cells showed round,polygon and flattened shape.The proportion of SP cells in cultured limbal epithelial cells was 0.22%±0.09% with a colony-forming efficiency of 5.52±0.45% in SP cells and 0.78%±0.73% in non-SP cells,with a statistically significant difference between the two populations (t＝2.17,P＜0.01).After verapamil,an inhibitor of the expression of the ABCG2 protein,was added into the medium,the proportion of SP cells in the cultured limbal epithelial cells declined to 0.04%±0.006%.The SP cells presented a positive immunoresponse for ABCG2 and absence of immunoresponse for K3/K12,but a contradictory staining result was found in non-SP cells.ConclusionFACS can be applied in the research of limbal stem cells.

Objective To compare the immunogenicity of pneumococcal surface adhesion A (PsaA) and pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). Methods The variability of the genes and the expressed pneumococcal proteins PsaA and PspA was investigated by electrophoresis. Cross-reactivity of proteins with the antibodies induced by the corresponding proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5, 6B,1, 19F and 23F was researched by Western blot. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to detect the antibody subclasses and the accessibility of antibodies induced by PsaA and PspA to the surface of the above intact strains. Cross-protection against challenging with Streptococcus pneumoniae strains was indagated in mice. Results Both proteins showed to induce the similar level of antibody subclasses.This study demonstrated that cross-reactivity of pneumococcal PspA was restricted in the same clade, which showed less extensive than pneumococcal protein PsaA. But antibody induced by pneumococcal protein PspA could be bound to the surface of the intact strains, which conduced the stronger cross-protection against inva sive strains. Conclusion The mice immunized with PspA protein cross-protected well against the invasive strains in which PspA belonged to the same clade 1 of family 1. It showed that pneumococcal protein PspA was more effective than PsaA in protection as composition of vaccine.

Objective To study the effect of apolipoprotein A5 gene polymorphism on the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events.Methods A total of 200 patients with metabolic syndrome include 100 cases of unconsolidated cardiovascular events (MS-1 group) and 100 cases of combined cardiovascular events (MS-2 group); 100 cases of healthy people were used as control group.Apolipoprotein A5 serum concentration was detected by ELISA in each group.PCR-RFLP method was used to determine ApoA5-1131T ＞ C gene polymorphism.The automatic analyzer was used to measure fasting plasma glucose (FPG).Results The MS-1-group ApoA5 Serum concentration was significantly lower than the control group [(96.68 ± 18.09) ng/ml vs (128.32 ±23.78) ng/ml,t =10.59,P ＜0.01] ; the MS 2 groups ApoA5 serum concentrations was significantly lower than the MS-1 group [(87.67 ± 17.09) ng/rnl vs (96.68 ±18.09) ng/ml,t =3.62,P ＜0.01] ; and ApoA5-1131C genotype frequency in MS-2 group and the MS-1 group was significantly higher than the control group (39.4％ ＞ 30％ ＞ 16.5％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions ApoA5 serum concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events were significantly reduced,ApoA5-1131 C was related to the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events.

BACKGROUND: It is indicated in researches of recent years that both astragalus and angelica act on anti-free radical and protect renal injury due to ischemia / reperfusion.OBJECTIVE: To observe the protection and its mechanism of astragalus and angelica injections on adenosine triphosphate-ase (ATPase) in renal injury due to ischemia/reperfusion.DESIGN: The observing controlled experiment based on experimental animals .SETTING: Physiological teaching & research room and teaching & research room of renal functional protection in a medical college. MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Physiological Experimental Room of Luzhou Medical College from January 2001 to March 2001. Totally 33 Japanese big-ear white healthy adult rabbits of either sex were employed,provided by Experimental Animal Center of Luzhou Medical College, in the mass of(1.63 + 0. 22) kg. According to random number table, they were divided in sham-operation control(8 rabbits), simple ischemia/reperfusion group (8 rabbits), astragalus injection + ischemia/reperfusion group (astragalus group) (8 rabbits) and angelica injection + ischemia/reperfusion group(angelica group) (9 rabbits).METHODS: One day before operation, on the day of operation and 1 day after operation, successively, intravenous medical injections (astragalus 1.25 g/kg,angelica 12.5 g/kg) were administrated in astragalus and angelica groups everyday respectively, and injection with physiological saline 5 mL/kg was applied in the control and simple ischemia/reperfusion group. In 48 hours reperfusion after 1 hour ischemia in kidney, blood sample was collected from inferior vena cava. The upper tissue of the right kidney was collected and fixed by placed in 30 mL/L glutaraldehyde and the lower tissue was prepared into homogenate. Ultrastructure of renal tissue was examined with electron microscope; serum creatinine level and ATPase activity in renal tissue were assayed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrastructure of renal tissue, serum creatinine level and ATPase activity in renal tissue.RESULTS: In simple ischemia/reperfusion group, renal tissue was degenerated significantly, and the disorders in astragalus and angelica groups were reduced markedly compared with simple ischemia/reperfusion group. Serum creatinine level in simple ischemia/reperfusion group was higher remarkably than the sham-operation control ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), and that in astragalus and angelica groups was reduced than simple ischemia/reperfusion group (P ＜ 0. 05) . In simple ischemia/reperfusion group, the levels of Mg2+-ATPaes, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were(0. 155 ±0. 020),(0.179±0.018), (0.150±0.022) nkat/g respectively, which was markedly reduced compared with sham-operation control [ (0. 174 + 0. 012),(0. 198 + 0. 012), (0. 181 + 0. 017) nkat/g], ( t = 2. 344, 2. 438, 3. 014,P ＜ 0.05 ). In astragalus and angelica groups, respectively, the activities of Mg2+-ATPaes, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were(0. 172 ± 0. 023),(0. 196 ±0. 077), (0. 175 ±0. 016) and (0. 177 ±0. 015), (0. 200 ±0.011 )and (0. 181 ± 0. 025) nkat/g successively. Except that Mg2+-ATPaes activity in astragalus group was not different significantly from that in simple ischemia/reperfusion group, all the rest were higher than simple ischemia/reperfusion group(t =2. 372 -2. 786, P ＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Both astragalus and angelica inhibit the decrease of ATPase and improve the disturbed local blood-flow adjustment in kidney, which has provided experimental basis of astragalus and angelica on reducing renal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion through protecting ATPase.

Objective To investigate the inducible ability of plasmid DNA carrying a RU486 regulatory system.Methotis Plasmid pRS22 containing RU486 regulatory system,liver specific promoter and transgene IL-12 was injected into mice by hydrodynamic injection.RU486 was injected intraperitoneally into mice at difierent time points after plasmid administration.The IL-12 1evel in serum was tested by an ELISA kit.The distribution and inducible expression of pRS22 in mice were assayed by measuring DNA,RNA and protein levels by PCR,RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.Resuits To determine the duration of the activity of plasmid pRS22,mice injected with 10μg of pRS22 were treated repeatedly with 250μg/kg of RU486 per 7 days after hydrodynamic injection of plasmid.IL-12 expression in serum abruptly increased to peak was detected at 10 h after induction and declined to baseline on day 6.Though peak values of IL-12 decreased gradually after each induction,IL-12 in serum could be induced until 15 weeks after plasmid administration.A total of 5μg of pRS22 was injected into mice to detect the effect of different induction manners on the IL-12 expression.The mice were treated with RU486 per day or per 2 days iil 6 days,respectively.The induction per 2 days resulted in a wavelike pattern of serum IL-12 expression with peak lev-els on the day of induction alternating with lower values on the following day.In contrast,sustained levels of IL-12 could be achieved by administering RU486 per day.Plasmid DNA and GLp65 mRNA were detected in liver of mice with or without RU486 until at least day 28 after plasmid administration.However,IL-12 p35 mRNA was detected only in the liver of mice with RU486 induction.IL-12 immunohistochemical staining in liver demonstrated that IL-1 2 expressed predominantly in the hepatocytes near the surface of liver or between the central vein and portal area after induction with RU486.In contrast,no IL-12 expression was observed in the hepatocytes after induction with sesame oil.Conclusion Tight temporal and spatial control of transgene IL-12 expression could be achieved by RU486 regulatory system driven by liver specific promoter.

Objective To establish the method for quality control of ethyl-acetate parts of Ferula sinkiangesis. Methods HPLC was used to detect the contents of ferulic acid, farnesiferol A and farnesiferol C. Waters XTerra RPC18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used; acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid was as mobile phase with gradient elution; flow rate was 1.0 mL/min; detective wavelength was 324 nm; temperature was 30℃; sample volume was 10 μL ResultsFerulic acid, farnesiferol A, and farnesiferol C showed a good linear relationship range from 0.05– 1.0 mg/mL, 0.132–2.64 mg/mL, and 0.118–2.36 mg/mL, respectively. The average recovery rates were 99.34%, 98.96% and 99.24% respectively. The contents of ferulic acid, farnesiferol A and farnesiferol C were 33.4, 76.5, 72.3 mg/g respectively.Conclusion The method was simple, accurate and repeatable, with good repeatability and stability, which can be used for the quality control of ethyl-acetate parts ofFerula sinkiangesis.