h may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objective To investigate two single nucleotide polymorphism sites of IRF5 and to de-tect their relationship with SLE in a population from Shandong province. Methods The polymorphisms (rs2004640 G/T,rs10954213 G/A) were detected with PCR-RFLP in 92 eases of SLE and 88 healthy con-trols. The genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and analyzed. Results The genotype frequencies Of GG, GT and TT in rs2004640 site in SLE were 0. 198, 0.521 and 0.281, respectively. The difference was significant between SLE and centrol (X2 = 8.73, P < 0.05). The genotype frequencies of GG, GA and AA in rs10954213 site in SLE were 0. 318, 0. 409 and 0.273, respectively. The differenee was significant between SLE and control (X2 = 6. 36, P < 0. 05). Conclusion The polymorphism of rs2004640, rs10954213 in IRF5 may be associated with SLE in the population of Han nationality from Shandong province of China.

AIM:To determine the effects of Tongxinluo (TXL) on connexin 43 (Cx43) remodeling and ven-tricular arrhythmia ( VA) after myocardial infarction ( MI) in rats .METHODS:Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated (sham) group (n=25) and operation group (n=75).The left anterior descending (LAD) was ligated in operated group , while the rats in sham group only underwent pericardiotomy .The rats in operation group which survived for 3 d after operation were randomly assigned to TXL group and MI group .The rats in TXL group was administrated with TXL (2 g? kg-1? d-1, intragastric administration) for 4 weeks, while normal saline was applied to the rats in sham group and MI group.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the tissue from the border zone were measured by ELISA after treatment .The distribution and the mRNA and protein expression of Cx 43 were detected by immunohisto-chemical staining , RT-PCR and Western blotting , respectively .The burst pacing was used to induce ventricular arrhythmia ( VA) .RESULTS:Compared with sham group , the levels of IL-1βand ET-1 and the incidence of VA were significantly increased , while the mRNA and protein expression of Cx 43 was markedly reduced with irregular distribution in MI group (P<0.05).Compared with MI group, the levels of IL-1βand ET-1 and the incidence of VA were significantly reduced , while the expression of Cx 43 at mRNA and protein levels was markedly increased with augmented linear distribution in the myocardial cell intercalated disc in TXL group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:TXL reduces the incidence of VA after MI via inhibiting the Cx43 remodeling .

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) on children with spastic cerebral palsy.Methods517 spastic cerebral palsy cases were operated on by SPR, and a following up was performed for 24 months. After operation, curative effect of SPR was examined and evaluated.Results298 cases had excellent effect (57.6%); 187 cases had good effect (36.2%).Conclusion SPR is very effective for children with spastic cerebral palsy.