Long inverted repeats (LIRs) are evolutionarily and functionally important structures in genomes because of their involvement in RNA interference, DNA recombination, and gene dupli-cation. Identification of LIRs is highly complicated when mismatches and indels between the repeats are permitted. Long inverted repeat explorer (Lirex) was developed and introduced in this report. Written in Java, Lirex provides a user-friendly interface and allows users to specify LIR searching criteria, such as length of the region, as well as pattern and size of the repeats. Recom-binogenic LIRs can be selected on the basis of mismatch rate and internal spacer size from identified LIRs. Lirex, as a cross-platform tool to identify LIRs in a genome, may assist in designing following experiments to explore the function of LIRs. Our tool can identify more LIRs than other LIR searching tools. Lirex is publicly available at http://124.16.219.129/Lirex.

Objective To explore and evaluate the implementation process and prelimnary achievements of 4+4 medical education program in Shanghai Jaiotong University School of Medicine. Methods The data of student background,curriculum,exam grades and graduate employment of class 2002 and 2003 were collected and analysed. Results The data showed that this program has enrolled high quality students,teaching hours of key courses of medicine has been reduce to 70%,while the average grades of the comprehensive examination were higher than those of the 5 year students,and the employment prospects for 4+4 program has been optimistic. Conclusion The 4+4 program has achieved preliminary success,and the experiences is beneficial for the further reform of medical educational system.

Objective To explore the effects of extract of Gingko biloba leaves (EGb) on learning, memory and hippoeampal heine oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in diabetic rats.Methods The behaviors of streptozotoein-induced diabetic rats were observed by Morris water maze for learning and memory after 6 months of diabetes.The HO-1 mRNA expression and protein expression in hippocampus of diabetic rats were detected by RT- PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively.Results The escape latency time in Morris water maze of diabetic rats was prolonged markedly.HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein expressions in hippocampus of diabetic rats were increased (1.635?0.326 vs 0.978?0.214,7.2?1.7 vs 1.9?0.5,respectively,both P＜0.01).The escape latency times in EGb (100,50 mg/kg) treated groups were shortened.HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein expressions in hippocampus were decreased at the same time as compared with diabetic group (100 mg/kg:0.954?0.144,2.0?0.8;50 mg/kg:0.988?0.154,2.5?0.6,all P＜0.01).Conclusion EGb can significantly inhibit HO-1 expression in hippocampus and improve learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats.

The pediatrician training system includes four levels of construction mode:the pediatric professional training for general practitioner, general pediatric professional training, pediatric skills training of community in-service physicians and pediatric continuing education for general pedestrians by Pediatric Professional Committee. Standardized and homogeneous training will help to improve children's health service system and change the current shortage of pediatric clinicians at the primary level.

Objective To explore the correlation between self-efficacy and safety knowledge of antibiotic drug in urban migrant workers, provide a basis of sa for the community education. Methods A total of 168 migrant workers, who lived in Xi′an community over 6 months and age was over 18, had field survey including general information, general self-efficacy, safety recognition of antibiotics. Results The total score of self-efficacy in urban migrant workers was (25. 08 ± 4. 96), awareness rate 26. 72%;total antibiotic drug safety cognition score (10. 419 ± 3. 468), lower than the norm (t =8. 67,P <0. 05). Self-efficacy had positive correlation with antibiotic drug safety awareness (r=0. 321,P<0. 01). Conclusions The community health services should carry out the antibiotic drug safety health education to urban migrant workers, so as to help them to improve their self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the proliferation and type II collagen secretion of chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro.

METHODSFlow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemical technique were employed to observe the possible changes.

RESULTS(1) The exogenic GH can enhance the proliferation and synthesis of DNA of the chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro. The suitable concentration of GH is 10 microg/ml. The synthesis of DNA reaches the highest level after 12 hours, while the proliferation index (PI) hits the highest after 24 hours. (2) GH (10 microg/ml) can stimulate the secretion of type II collagen of the chondrocytes.

CONCLUSIONThe exogenic GH can enhance the proliferation, the synthesis of DNA and the secretion of type II collagen of the chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; secretion ; Collagen Type II ; drug effects ; Growth Hormone ; pharmacology ; Mandibular Condyle ; cytology ; Rabbits

Objective To explore the effect of valid “touch contact” service to patients in the outpatients department,and related quality control,and to improve the service quality.Methods Establishing valid “touch contact” point by investigation,and control the quality of clinic environment,rear service,and window service and health staff et al “touch contact point”; and propose service standard; evaluate the effect of “touch contact point”.Results clinic environment satisfaction rate (65％ vs 84.1％ ),satisfaction of inject (87.8％ vs 98.3％ ) before and after establishment of “touch contact point” were different ( x2 =35.99,31.51,respectively;P ＜ 0.05 ); complaint rate has reduced by 35％,compared with that in 2009.Conclusions Out-patients managers should master the effect service of “touch contact point” and enhance the service management.Those could improve the out-patients service quality and the patients' satisfaction.

OBJECTIVETo explore the activities of Composite Artemisia Capillaris Tablet (CACT) against hepatitis B virus replication in vitro.

METHODSBy means of radioimmunoassay (RIA), Dot blot and Southern blot, the surface and e antigen production of 2.2.15 cells, HBV DNA in 2.2.15 cell culture medium and that in 2.2.15 cells were examined respectively.

RESULTSHBsAg, HBeAg values of 2.2.15 cells treated by CACT were lower than those of the control, the HBV DNA quantities in culture medium and in 2.2.15 cells decreased as compared with those cells with no treatment by CACT given to them.

CONCLUSIONCACT could inhibit HBV DNA replication, showing its potential antiviral activity in hepatitis B treatment.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Viral ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Preparations ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Radioimmunoassay ; Tablets ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of Resistin mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its gene polymorphism in coding region in a small range population in Zhejiang Province of China.

METHODSEighty-three cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus and 53 healthy people were included. The expression of Resistin mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by RT-PCR and semi-quantitative PCR assay. The sequencing work was done in Resistin cDNA and gene polymorphism was analyzed.

RESULTSAt the same condition, in 83 diabetes patients, Resistin mRNA was detected in 23 cases (11 males and 12 females). There was no Resistin mRNA expression in 53 healthy people. The ratio of PCR products between Resistin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was from 0.564 to 1.238, averaging 0.804+/-0.436. The sequence of Resistin cDNA is almost identical with each other and with that in GenBank with no single nucleotide polymorphism being found.

CONCLUSIONResistin mRNA is expressed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in some type 2 diabetes mellitus, but its expression is at a low level. Among the experiment population we did not find polymorphism phenomenon in Resistin coding region. The different individual's Resistin coding region is highly coincident.

China ; epidemiology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Resistin ; genetics

Objective:To evaluate and screen the anti-atrial ifbrillation drug with multiion channel targets by micro-electrode chip technology in a rapid atrial pacing (RAP) rabbit model.
Methods:A total of 32 rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, n=8 in each group. Potassium channel blocker (TEA) group, Potassium channel blocker (BaCl2) group, Potassium channel blocker (CdCl2) group and Amiodarone group.
The electrode was inserted into right atrium via internal jugular vein with rapid right atrial pacing (600 beat/min) and the effect of each anti-atrial ifbrillation drug on ifeld action potential (fAPD) were measured in different groups.
Results:With 24 hour RAP, the fAPD was prolonged from (176.67 ± 8.66) ms to (196.11 ± 10.76) ms, P=0.012 in TEA group;from (182.22 ± 12.87) ms to (191.11 ± 13.09) ms, P=0.039 in BaCl2 group;from (178.33±7.85) ms to (206.67 ± 9.70) ms, P=0.0015 in CdCl2 group;from (167.38 ± 13.67) ms to (185 ± 15.14) ms, P=0.002 in Amiodarone group.
Conclusion: RAP induced atrial fibrillation in experimental rabbit model is a simple and feasible method for screening the anti-atrial fibrillation drugs, combining with micro-electrode chip technology, it might be used for developing the new product.