It was investigated by ~(15)N tracer that four strains capable of ammonia oxidation under the condition of limited dissolved oxygen(DO)and without organic carbon source in a sealed bio-membrane reactor.Each strain was cultured at room temperature,a sealed vessel filled with argon and an appropriate quantity of oxygen.When the condition kept DO

One hepatitis C virus(HCV) cDNA fragment, 534bp in length and designated as Q534, was obtained by means of PCR amplification with self-designed oligonucleotide primers. Q534 was doned into Hinc II site of pUC18 and the- recombinant plasmid pQ534 was then selected from the bacterial transformants. The sequence data indicated the Q534 was a cDNA fragment of HCV core gene, and located in HCV genome from positions 320 to 853 in correspondence with Chiron's prototype sequence. The homologies between Q534 and the prototype at the levels of nucleotides and amino adds were 90.9% and 97.6%, respectively. The homologies of Q534 with Japanese HCV-J and HCV-BK strains were 96.8% and 97.0% at the nucleotide level, and 98.2% and 98.8% at the amino add level. Compared with the corresponding sequences of other HCV isolates, this Chinese HCV isolate we obtained in the present study belongs to HCV group II .

AIM: To determine multifocal visual evoked potential (mVEP) in the prediction of postoperative visual acuity in cataract. METHODS: We examined 30 normal eyes as control and 60 eyes of 52 cataract patients, senile cataract in 27 cases 30 eyes, cataract with glaucoma in 25 cases 30 eyes by mVEP examination. All patients underwent phacoemulsifi-cation (Phaco) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After surgery,best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was examined at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months respectively.RESULTS: The mean amplitude and latency in mVEP responses between normal control group were 183±11nV, 95±8ms, and in senile cataract group were 177±10nV, 96± 8ms respectively, there were no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). The mean amplitude and latency of cataract with glaucoma 138±7nV, 99±6ms were significantly different comparing to both control and senile cataract group (P<0.05). After surgery, the am-plitude and latency were 276±11nV and 93±8ms respec-tively, which did not change significantly comparing to the normal eyes (P<0.05), their visual function got no obvious damage and visual recovery were better (BCVA≥0.8). While those with central amplitude 221±6nV and latency 105±7ms that were significantly deviated from control group (P<0.05), and their visual function were seriously damaged and visual recovery were much poorer (BCVA<0.3).CONCLUSION: mVEP waveform might enable us to evaluate objective visual function detection before cataract surgery. A subject with visual function damage, their mVEP responses to stimulation were severely changed when it compared to controls.

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It is very important to explore the biomarkers for the early prediction of preeclampsia. Some peptides released from placenta, such as soluble Flt-1 and placenta growth factor (PlGF), have been revealed for definite prospects of application. Meanwhile, the recent advances in proteomics, metabolomics and microRNA shed light on searching of new biomarkers for preeclampsia prediction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of fingolimod(FTY720) on angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)-induced renal oxidative stress in rats and its possible mechanisms.Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups through random number tables:AngⅡ infusion group(twelve rats,infusion of AngⅡvia subcutaneous osmotic pumps),0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infusion group(twelve rats,infusion of equal volume of 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution via subcutaneous osmotic pumps) and FTY720 intervention group(twelve rats,intra-gastric administration of FTY720 besides AngⅡ infusion).Urine samples were collected for 24 hours every week.Blood samples and kidneys were collected when rats were sacrificed at day 14 and 28 d respectively.MDA and T-SOD assay Kits were used to detect the concentrations of MDA and T-SOD in serum and kidney homogenates.Renal pathological changes were observed by light microscope.The expression of Nox4 in the kidneys was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infusion rats of the same period,AngⅡ-infused rats developed significant proteinuria.The concentration of serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,AngⅡ and MDA were increased(P<0.05),T-SOD was significantly decreased on days 14 and 28(P<0.05),the serum albumin was significantly increased on day 28(P<0.05),while FTY720 partially reversed these changes.The renal tissue of AngⅡ-infused rats presented mesangial cells proliferation,mesangial matrix deposition,tubular epithelial cells effacement,sclerosis and atrophy in part of the glomerular.FTY720 can alleviate these changes.Immunohistochemistry showed that Nox4 was primarily located in the distal tubule.The expression of Nox4 was significantly increased in AngⅡ-infused rats as compared with that of 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infused group rats,and FTY720 administration prevented the change effectively.Conclusion AngⅡ-induced renal injury could be attenuated by FTY720 via preventing oxidative stress.

Optic neuritis is one of the most important neuro-ophthalmologic diseases which cause vision loss in young adults. There are obvious differences in the prevalence of optic neuritis in different countries and regions. Through the review of the related literature at home and abroad in recent years, this article summarizes the etiology and epidemiological characteristics of optic neuritis. lt is expected to provide reference and comparison for the epidemiological investigation of cross regional, multi-center cooperation.

ZENG Tian-zhi, as one of the disciples of Mr. CHENG Dan-an, is considered as one of the major successors of the Chengjiang acupuncture school in the South of the Five Ridges. By collecting Mr. ZENG's works and papers as well as the interviews with his followers, his life and achievements are verified and his existing representative works are introduced. It is found out that following CHENG Dan-an's steps, ZENG Tian-zhi has practiced the medicine and performed great deeds, established schools and taught students. Also he established the first educational institution of acupuncture in Hong Kong, namely College of Scientific Acupuncture. He has traveled to many places to promote the acupuncture and cultivate a large number of acupuncturists. His works are characterized by organized edition, bringing in modern medical theory and focusing on clinic applicability.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Books ; China ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Male

AIMTo study the enhancement effect and mechanism of sodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzyl) amino] caprylate (SNAC--a kind of synthetic enhancer) to insulin (INS) solution in gastrointestine.

METHODSTo determine the enhancement effect of SNAC on INS absorption by oral administration to rats and mice; To study the enhancement mechanism of SNAC by three kinds of methods: Delivering SNAC and INS solution to different parts of rats' intestines, adding energy inhibitor 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor verapamil (Ver) into SNAC and INS solution.

RESULTSSNAC was shown to enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of INS, the intensity of absorption enhancement corresponded to the doses of SNAC. The enhancement of SNAC to INS in different parts of the rat intestine was different (jejunum > colon > ileum). The effect of SNAC on INS absorption increased accordingly.

CONCLUSIONThe enhancement of SNAC to INS absorption presented dose dependence on SNAC; the absorption process needed energy and related to P-gp efflux.

2,4-Dinitrophenol ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Caprylates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Colon ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

AIM:To compare the difference between Shuxiong Tablet(Radix et Rhizoma notoginseng,Flos Carthami,Rhizoma Chuanxiong)(SXT) and its effective compounds group(SECG) in anti-inflammatory,relieving pain,anticoagulation,anti-thrombus and myocardial protection.METHODS:We adopted experiments of carrageenan-induced paw edema,hot water shrink trail,clotting time in mice,and thrombus in arteriovenous shut,and pituitrin induced acute myocardial ischemia in rats.RESULTS:Both of SXT and SECG could inhibit the tumefaction,decrease PGE_2 and SOD in inflammatory tissue;enhance the pain threshhold of mice;extend clotting time;inhibit the thrombosis;inhibit myocardial ischemia,significantly decrease CK,LDH,MDA and increase SOD in myocardial tissue.CONCLUSION:SXT and SECG have the same effects on anti-inflammatory,relieving pain,anticoagulation,anti-thrombus and myocardial protection.Further more,their dose-response relationship curves were similar,suggesting that SECG having the main effective components of SXT,could take place of SXT in clinical research.

Objective To determine whether the anti-inflammatory properties of Shuxiong Tablet(SXT)and the effective components group of SXT(ECGS)are equivalent and to assess the formulary rationality.Methods ECGS consisted of Panax notoginsen saponion(PNS),hydroxysafflor yellow A,and ferulic acid plus volatile oil of Ligusticum chuanxiong,which was based on the active ingredients and their ratios in SXT.We compared the anti-inflammatory actions of ECGS and SXT using the xylene-induced edema model and the carrageenan-induced edema model,as well as the analgesic activity of them using the acetic acid-induced writhing model.Moreover,cultured macrophages were incubated with media containing serum isolated from SXT-,ECGS-,or every component of ECGS-treated rats,to compare the depress effects on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)expression.Results ECGS and SXT had equivalent anti-inflammatory actions and analgesic effects at an equipotent dosage in a dose-dependent manner.The drug-containing media could inhibit the LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS expression in cultured macrophages.A 2 × 2 × 2 ANOVA revealed that three effective components could produce synergistic effect on the inhibition of NO production,and PNS was the capital component.Conclusion ECGS and SXT display an equivalent anti-inflammatory effect,and the formula follows traditional Chinese medicine compatibility principle,which shows obvious formulary rationality.