OBJECTIVETo verify the existence and significance of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase/inhibitors of differentiation 1 (CASK/Id1) pathway in fibroblasts of human keloid.

METHODSImmunofluorescence laser was used to confirm CASK and Id1 protein expression and localization in fibroblasts of the keloid and normal skin. RT-PCR and Western-blot were adopted to analysis the CASK and Id1 expression and differences between keloid and normal skin fibroblasts. The natural combination of CASK and Id1 protein of keloid fibroblasts was tested by immunoprecipitation.

RESULTSCASK and Id1 protein expression were both found in fibroblast cells of keloid and normal skin under normal circumstances. Most of CASK and Id1 were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of fibroblasts. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of CASK mRNA in the keloid group was 0.658 +/- 0.024, which was lower than that in the normal control group (1.076 +/- 0.008, t = 11.159, P < 0.05). The expression of Id1 mRNA was 0.497 +/- 0.014, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.307 +/- 0.017, t = 15.148, P < 0.05). The results of Western-blot showed that the expression level for CASK protein in the keloid group was 0.057 +/- 0.006, which was lower than that in the normal control group (0.168 +/- 0.012, t = 13.524, P < 0.05); the expression of Id1 protein was 0.812 +/- 0.035, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.368 +/- 0.031, t = 16.356, P < 0.05). The results of immunoprecipitation showed that Id1 could be detected in the CASK precipitate, while CASK also could be detected in the Id1 precipitate. There was a natural binding of CASK and Id1 in keloid fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONCASK/Id1 signal pathway may be existed and involved in the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts, which is related with the occurrence of keloid.

Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Based on variation of Pinus massoniana families, heritablility and correlation analysis, the contents of shikimic acid and procyanidine (heritability 0.90, 0.70), dry weight of single branch (heritability 0.60) and and leaf length (heritability 0.46) were screened out as quality, yield and harvest cost traits of Folium Pini, respectively. For the different medicinal application of Folium Pini, varied methods were chosen to estimate weight and construct index equation. Weight adjustment based.on equal emphasis were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families, and the index (accuracy 0. 936 4 and heritability 0. 881 6) obtained was a little better than that obtained by equal emphasis, and much better than that by restricted index. The superior families selected with adjustment weight and equal emphasis were No. 46, 43 and 28. Partial regression were used as economic weight determining method to select the best families,and the index obtained had the highest accuracy (0.941 5) , index heritability (0. 889 9) and the genetic gain of shikimic acid content. The superior families selected with this method were No. 46, 27 and 47. No. 46 was the best families with maximal economic benefit. Our study indicated that suitable method for estimate weight and construct index equation can be applied for better accuracy of superior families selection of P. massoniana.
Breeding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Pinus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development

Medical metal materials is widely used in medical field due to its excellent properties; the nickel ions leaching from stainless steel because of corrosion have the harmfulness of malformation and cancerization besides allergenicity in human body. Potential harmfulness of nickel in medical metal materials and new trend on research and development are reviewed in this paper, and both the advantage and the long term potential development of nickel-free medical stainless steels are also described on the basis of our own research work.
Corrosion ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Nickel ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry ; Titanium ; adverse effects ; chemistry

Objective To analyze variations of hepatic vein in healthy people with 64-slice spiral CT.Methods Seventy-five healthy subjects underwent multi-slice spiral computed(MSCT)hepatic venography.The anatomy of the junction of the hepatic veins with the inferior vena cava and the intrahepatic drainage territory of the hepatic veins and tributaries were evaluated.The hepatic veins were classified according to three anatomic classification(Nakamura's,Marcos's and Kawasaki's classification)methods respectively.Results There was a common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins before joining the IVC in 86.7%(65/75)of the cases.In 13.3%(10/75)of the cases,the three main hepatic veins joined the IVC separately.The ratios of Nakamura's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 49.4% (37/75),37.3%(28/75),and 13.3%(10/75)respectively.The ratios of Marcos's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 56.0%(42/75),24.0%(18/75),and 20.0%(15/75)respectively. The ratios of Kawasaki's classification type Ⅰ,Ⅱ of hepatic vein were 40.0%(30/75)and 60.0% (45/75).Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT hepatic venography can provide visualization of peripheral hepatic venous branches in details.

Previous methods used for nuclear transplantation were further investigated to develop a method that was both easy to carryout and did not require any special apparatus, such as Piezoimpact or Spindle-View. Following the puncture of zona pellucida with two holes by injection pipette that contained donor nuclei or cells, the injection pipette was pulled back to the perivitelline space while the negative pressure was increased in the holding pipette until the polar body and karyoplasm were wiped off completely. Then a reconstructed embryo was completed by the direct injection of the donor nucleus or cell without pulling out the injection pipette. 200 oocytes were manipulated using this method and it cost about 40 seconds with nucleus injection and about 30 seconds with cell injection to complete a reconstructed embryo. The success rates were 62.6% and 86. 0%, respectively, and enucleation rate was about 73.3% validated by Hoechst 33342. Using this method, the nucleus was completely eliminated and another was injected using the microscope and micromanipulator. Moreover, the efficiency of nuclear transplantation and survival rate of reconstructed embryos were greatly improved. Furthermore, it is very easy to manipulate and popularize in practice.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Organism ; methods ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Zona Pellucida ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDFrequent premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. This study adopted two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to evaluate global and regional left ventricular myocardial function in patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs.

METHODSThis study included 30 patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs and 30 healthy subjects. Aortic systolic velocity-time integral (AoVTI) and myocardium strain in circumferential (CS), radial (RS) and longitudinal (LS) directions were evaluated by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging. All values of patients with RVOT-PVCs were recorded during sinus (PVC-S) and PVC beats (PVC-V).

RESULTSSignificant differences were demonstrated in global CS, RS and LS between the control subjects and the PVC-V (CS: (17.46 ± 2.48)% vs. (11.52 ± 3.28)%, RS: (48.26 ± 10.20)% vs. (20.92 ± 9.78)%, LS: (19.89 ± 2.62)% vs. (11.79 ± 3.66)%, P < 0.01), and in segmental RS and LS of nearly all the left ventricular segments. Statistical differences in segmental CS between the PVC-V and the control subjects were only observed in anterior, anteroseptal and septal segments (only seen in anteroseptal and septal segments at apex). Furthermore, V/S AoVTI (AoVTI during the PVC beat divided by AoVTI during the sinus beat, then multiplied by 100%) correlated with coupling interval (r = 0.67, P < 0.001) and global strain (CS: r = 0.48, P = 0.007; RS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001; LS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSFrequent RVOT-PVCs can induce global and regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The reduction of hemodynamic parameters relates to the coupling interval and the global systolic function.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Premature Complexes ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo screen effectual fungicides for field control because of the seriousness of opium poppy mildew and importance of chemical control on plant diseases.

METHODSeven fungicides were screened in Lab experiment and field test during 1996-1997.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAll of them and their different dosages were effective to control conidia of Peronospora arborescens. Among them, 72.2% propamocarb of 1203 and 902.5 ppm were the most effective both in Lab experiment and field test with efficacy 79.91% and 79.33% respectively in field test, and the efficacy of other fungicides was over 50%. Seven fungicides tested can be used to control nonsystematic symptom of opium poppy mildew.

Carbamates ; pharmacology ; Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Oomycetes ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Papaver ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the pathogen of opium poppy downy mildew and its biological characteristic for further research on the disease.

METHODDevelopment of the disease was observed systematically in the field. Germination rate of sporangium in different temperature, pH and nutrition was examined with suspending-drop method. Slide-germination method was used to observe its germination in different humidity maintained by different concentration of H2SO4.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe disease manifests itself in two forms: severely infected plants (systematic infection) and leaf spots (nonsystematic infection). Sporangia of the pathogen are oval or globular, thin walled, smooth, hyaline, with 7.74-16.34 microns diameter in base 1 and 8.34-15.05 microns in base 2.0 ospores are light yellow with 33.87-70.54 microns x 19.34-62.64 microns in base 1 and 36.85-49.68 microns x 42.08-55.76 microns in base 2. Conidiophores are stout, erect, whose branching times and length are different between those in base 1 and those in base 2. Sporangia sprot directly in two hours. Film of water is necessary for sporangium to sprot. The optimum temperature range of sporangium sprot is 12-21 degrees C, the best being 16 degrees C, the pH range is 4.53-9.18 the best optimum at pH 7.38, and the extract of leaf of 1:5 is good for its germination.

Humidity ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oomycetes ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Papaver ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of decompresion through double-incision of foot dorsum on the treatment of osteofascial compartment syndrome of the foot under the monitoring of saturation of blood oxygen.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to June 2007, 26 cases of osteofascial compartment syndrome of the foot were decompressed through double-incision of foot dorsum under the monitoring of saturation of blood oxygen, and relaxation suture or skin grafting were operated within 3 to 10 days after decompressing. Among them, 22 patients were males and 4 were females, with an average age of 36.3 years old ranging from 22 to 68 years. According to AOFAS system, the pain, function, autonomic activities and support were evaluated.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up for from 6 to 43 months with the average of 19 months. All patients were healed. According to AOFAS system, the total scores increased from preoperative (30.4 +/- 8.02) to postoperative (92.5 +/- 5.0) (t = 3.13, P < 0.01); the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 4 and poor in 1.

CONCLUSIONThe patients of fracture-dislocated, swelling and injured in the soft tissue because of severe violence should observed closely on osteofascial compartment syndrome of the foot early. Feet are operated and thoroughly decompressed as soon as it is diagnosed as the compartment syndrome. Osteofascial compartment syndrome of the foot decompressed by foot dorsum double-incision is convenient and satisfied, and the operation is performed by internal fixation if it is displacedly fractured at the same time.

Adult ; Aged ; Compartment Syndromes ; blood ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Foot ; blood supply ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; blood ; Young Adult

This study was purpose to investigate the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 expression in children with aplastic anemia (AA) and its relation to effect of immunosuppressive therapy. HLA-DR genotypes were detected by SSP-PCR in 40 patients with acquired aplastic anemia and 107 normal controls, and the expressions of HLA-DR gene in AA patients and normal controls were compared. 32 out of 40 patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy, which included antilymphocyte globulin combining with cyclosporine or cyclosporine alone, the relation of HLA-DRB1*15 expression to efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy and relapse of AA was explored. The results showed that the mean age of the patients was 9.0 years with a ratio of male to female 1.5:1. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 genotype expression in patients with idiopathic aplastic anemia was 51.5% (17/33), which was markedly higher than that of healthy controls (20.6%, p<0.01). All of 7 patients with second acquired aplastic anemia showed negative expression of HLA-DRB1*15. The rates of all responses, including complete remission and partial remission (CR+PR), and CR to immunosuppressive therapy in 16 patients who bared HLA-DRB1*15 were 93.8% and 87.5% respectively, which were higher significantly than those of patients without bearing HLA-DRB1*15 (56.3% and 31.3%, p<0.01). Relapse occurred in 5 patients who bared HLA-DRB1*15 genotype. It is concluded that the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 genotype expression in children with AA is significantly higher than that in normal controls, and the immunosuppressive therapy for patients bared HLA-DRB1*15 shows favourable effect with high incidence of complete remission.
Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male