In order to lower the purchasing prices of drugs, prevent unhealthy tendencies that might arise in the process of drug circulation in the hospital, and reduce the financial burdens of patients, our hospital started from March 1997 the practice of purchasing drugs through open tender. The measures adopted include: ①establishment of a leading group in charge of drug purchases and a drug purchasing group; ②formulation and earnest implementation of the system of purchasing drugs through open tender, making “five checks”; ③standardization of the scope of routine drugs used in the hospital; and ④adherence to the system of examination and approval by the Drug Management Committee when introduction of new drugs is being considered. Since the adoption of the system of purchasing drugs through tender, the purc hasing prices of drugs have on the average dropped 14.7% and the drug expenses for single entity diseases have been lowered.

Abstract: The first-line drug artemisinin is widely used against malaria. Commercially available artemisinin is extracted from plants. However, the lack of sufficient raw material, artemisinin and the cost associated with the drug's manufacture have limited the supply of ACT to most malaria sufferers in the Developing World. As such, it is important to develop a low cost, fine to environment and high-quality method to supply sufficient and reliable quantities of artemisinin in the future. The field of synthetic biology, which utilizes cell factories to manipulate microbial metabolism to enhance the production of artemisinin and its intermediates, has a particularly strong impact by providing new platforms for chemical production. After a brief introduction of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway, the present review focuses on the introduction of artemisinin biosynthetic genes, such as the genes encoding amorpha-4, 11-diene monooxygenase, NADPH: cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, artemisinic aldehyde delta 11(13) reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The review also addresses general considerations for potential contributions of synthetic biology to artemisinin production, with an emphasis on factors influencing interest compounds production in chassis cells.

The synthetic biology matures to promote the heterologous biosynthesis of the well-known drug paclitaxel that is one of the most important and active chemotherapeutic agents for the first-line clinical treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the construction and regulation of the biosynthetic pathway of paclitaxel intermediates in both Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In particular, the review also features the early efforts to design and overproduce taxadiene and the bottleneck of scale fermentation for producing the intermediates.

Objective To investigate certain risk factors for postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly patients with coronary heart disease after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB)surgery in order to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of AF after OPCAB.Methods A total of 139 elderly patients with coronary heart disease who had undergone OPCAB surgery in our hospital were collected as research subjects and divided into the AF group and the nonAF group according to the occurrence of AF after operation.The patients' general information and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Risk factors for AF after OPCAB surgery in elderly patients with coronary heart disease were investigated.Results The incidence of AF after OPCAB was 15.8％ in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.There were no statistical differences in gender,history of diabetes,history of myocardial infarction,preoperative β-blocker usage,number of coronary artery lesions,or operation time between the AF group and the non-AF group (P＞0.05).The percentage of patients who were of older age (t=9.960) or had a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40％ (x2=4.942),a left atrial diameter ≥40 mm (x2 =4.491),a history of hypertension (x2 =12.357),dopamine medication after operation (x2 =8.511),or a bypass vessel count≥ 3 (x2 =5.385) was higher in the AF group than in the non-AF group (all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that age,history of hypertension,dopamine medication after operation,left atrial diameter and bypass vessel count were the risk factors for AF after OPCAB surgery in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (OR 3.080,2.435,2.465,3.593,and 1.921,respectively,P＜0.05 for all).Conclusions The incidence of AF after OPCAB is high in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and is affected by many risk factors.These risk factors should be assessed before surgery so that appropriate prevention measures can be taken.

Influenza A/H1N1 virus-encoded nonstructural, or NS1, protein inhibits the 3'-end processing of cellular pre-mRNAs by binding the cellular protein: the 30-kDa subunit of CPSF (cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor, CPSF30). CPSF30 binding site of the NS1 protein is a potential target for the development of drugs against influenza A/H1N1 virus. A yeast two-hybrid screening system was constructed and used for screening Chinese medicines that inhibit the interaction of the A/H1N1 flu NS1 protein and human CPSF30 protein. The NS1 gene of A/H1N1 virus was amplified by consecutive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the human CPSF30 gene of HeLa cell cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then the two gene fragments confirmed by sequencing were subcloned into the yeast expression vectors pGBKT7 and pGADT7, respectively. The two constructs, bait vector pGBKNS1 and prey vector pGADCPSF, were co-transformed into yeast AH109. The eight individual yeast colonies were picked and subjected to verification by PCR/gel electrophoresis. The inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction was allowed the identification of selective inhibitors. The four of more than thirty identified Chinese medicines, including 'Shuanghuanglian oral liquid', showed the strong inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction.

Objectlve investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) during perioperative period in the development of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Twenty patients (18 male and 2 female, aged 33-58 yr and weighing 52-73 kg) with ASA Ⅲ or Ⅳ (NYHA Ⅱ or Ⅲ )undergoing OLT were studied. Blood samples were collected from the central vein for determination of TLR2 expression on PMN and plasma TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 concentrations before induction of anesthesia (T1, baseline), at 25 min of anhepatic phase (T2), 3 h (T3) and 24 h after beginning of reperfusion of the allograft (T4). The expression of TLR2 was measured by flow cytometry and the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The patients were divided into SIRS and non-SIRS group depending on whether the patients developed SIRS or not within 7 days after operation. The diagnosis of SIRS was based on the criteria laid down by ACCP and SCCM in 1992.Results Ten patients developed SIRS within 7 days after operation. There was no significant difference in Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores between the two groups. Compared with non-SIRS group, the TLR2 expression on PMN and the serum IL-1β concentration were significantly increased at T4 and the serum IL-8 concentration was significantly increased at T3 in SIRS group.There was positive correlation between serum TNF-α concentration and TLR2 expression on PMN in SIRS group ( r= 0.607, P ＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of TLR2 on PMN increases significantly at 24 h after beginning of reperfusion of allograft and may play an important role in the development of postoperative SIRS.

Objective To study the expression of Survivin and COX-2 in ampullary carcinoma and their clinical significance.MethodsThe expression of Survivin and COX-2 proteins were tested by EnVision immunohistochemistry in 40 cases of ampullary carcinomas,and 8 cases of normal ampulla of vater as the controls.ResultsThe positive rate of Survivin in ampullary carcinonas was significantly higher than that of the controls(82.5％ vs 0,P ＜ 0.01 ). The expression of Survivin in ampullary carcinoma was correlated with duodenal invasion,pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Significant difference was also observed in the expression rate of COX-2 between the patients with ampullary carcinoma and the normal controls (67.5％ vs 0,P ＜ 0.01 ).The expression of COX-2 in ampullary carcinoma was correlated with duodenal invasion,pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis (P ＜ 0.05). Significantly positive correlation was found between the expression of Survivin and COX-2 by using spearman correlation analysis ( r =0.383,P =0.015).ConclusionThe specific up-regulation of COX-2 gene and Survivin gene may play an important role in the genesis and development of ampullary carcinoma.COX-2 and Survivin may be used as early diagnosis markers and potential therapeutic targets in ampullary carcinoma.

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major etiological agents for the hand, foot, and month disease (HFMD) and is causing frequent, widespread occurrence in the mainland of China. The single positive-stranded RNA genome of EV71 is translated into a single polyprotein which is autocleavaged into structural and nonstructural proteins. The functions of many nonstructural proteins characterized in the life cycle of virus are potential targets for blocking viral replication. This article reviews the studies of the structures and functions of nonstructural proteins of EV71 and the anti-enterovirus 71 drugs targeting on these nonstructural proteins.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the role of ATP-sensitive potassium ( KATP ) channels in the inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S) on high glucose ( HG)-induced inflammation mediated by necroptosis in H 9c2 cardiac cells. METHODS:The expression levels of receptor-interacting protein 3 ( RIP3; an indicator of necroptosis ) and cyclooxyge-nase-2 (COX-2) were determined by Western blot.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) were detected by ELISA .RESULTS:After H9c2 cardiac cells were treated with 35 mmol/L glucose ( HG) for 24 h, the expression of RIP3 was significantly increased .Pre-treatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L diazoxide ( DZ; a KATP channel opener) or 400 μmol/L NaHS (a donor of H2S) for 30 min considerably blocked the up-regulation of RIP3 induced by HG.Moreover, pre-treatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD; a KATP channel
blocker) attenuated the inhibitory effect of NaHS on HG-induced up-regulation of RIP3.On the other hand, co-treatment of the cells with 100μmol/L necrostatin-1 ( a specific inhibitor of necroptosis ) or pre-treatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L DZ or 400 μmol/L NaHS attenuated HG-induced inflammatory responses , evidenced by decreases in the expression of COX-2 and secretion levels of IL-1βand TNF-α.However , pre-treatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L 5-HD significantly attenuated the above anti-inflammatory effects of NaHS.CONCLUSION:KATP channels play an important role in the inhib-itory effect of H2 S on HG-induced inflammation mediated by necroptosis in H 9c2 cardiac cells.

ObjectiveTo study the anti-inflammatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Changweishu on sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction and its protective effect on intestinal mechanical barrier.Methods A prospective research method was conducted. Fifty sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction admitted into Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) of Hebei Provincial TCM Hospital from October 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled, and they were divided into a conventional treatment of western medicine control group and a TCM Changweishu group according to the random number table method, 25 cases in each group. The conventional western medicine treatment was given to both groups, and in TCM Changweishu group, additionally Changweishu 1 dose per day, a mixture of following ingredients constituting one dose without decoction, was applied, including: rhubarb 9 g, dandelion 20 g, green tangerine peel 15 g, angelica sinensis radix 15 g, red and white peony each 12 g, rhizome ligusticum 9 g, agrimony 20 g, coptidis rhizoma 6 g, rhizoma pinelliae 6 g, fructus trichosanthis 15 g, garden burnet root 20 g, poria 20 g, and taken once 1/2 dose in the morning and once 1/2 dose in the evening by oral or nasal feeding. After treatment for 7 days, the level changes of inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and gastrointestinal dysfunction indexes of diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid in the two groups were observed.Results After treatment, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, HMGB-1, DAO, D-lactic acid in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment [the western medicine control group: TNF-α (A value) 10.89±1.65 vs. 50.30± 1.58, IL-6 (A value) 7.35±1.85 vs. 12.66 ± 1.43, HMGB1 (A value) 5.28 ±1.64 vs. 6.23±0.95, DAO (A value) 5.87±0.59 vs. 6.67±0.49, D-lactic acid (A value) was 2.63±0.17 vs. 4.58±0.16; TCM changweishu group: TNF -α (A value) 5.38±1.19 vs. 51.23±2.34, IL-6 (A value) 5.54±1.26 vs. 13.24±1.78, HMGB1 (A value) 3.69±1.09 vs. 6.14±1.42, DAO (A value) was 3.39± 0.40 vs. 6.70±0.34, D-lactic acid (A value) 1.95±0.13 vs. 4.63±0.11, allP < 0.05]. After treatment, the degrees of decline in indexes of TCM Changweishu group were more obvious than those in western medicine control group [TNF-α(A value) 5.38±1.19 vs. 10.89±1.65, IL-6 (A value) 5.54±1.26 vs. 7.35±1.85, HMGB1 (A value) 3.69 ±1.09 vs.5.28±1.64, DAO (A value) 3.93±0.40 vs. 5.87±0.59, D-lactic acid (A value) 1.95±0.13 vs. 2.63±0.17, allP <0.05].Conclusions TCM Changweishu has protective effect on sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction, and its mechanisms are the amelioration of damage in intestinal tract mechanical barrier, decrease of permeability of intestinal mucosa and inhibition of levels of inflammatory factors.