Conus textile is a kind of highly toxic and abundantly existing conus in the South China Sea. The toxin from C.textile could act on sodium channels(δ-conotoxins)and calcium channels (ω-，ε-conotoxins), respectively. Their specific chemical structure and biological activity have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. This article briefly reviews their biochemical characteristics, isolation, gene cloning, biological and neuropharmacological activities, as well as their potential applications.

Purpose To explore the relationship between the mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) and KRAS genes and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Methods Clinical samples from 431 NSCLC patients were obtained for EGFR and KRAS gene analysis. PCR based direct DNA sequencing was used to investigate mutations in exon 18-21 of EGFR gene and codon 12 and 13 of exon 2 of KRAS gene. Results The overall EGFR mutation rate of primary NSCLC was 53. 6% (231/431) in this study cohort and eight cases showed double EGFR mutations. Mutation rates in female and male were 65. 2% (122/187) and 46. 9% (98/209), respectively. The mutation rate was higher in patients with non-smokers and adeno-carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma subtypes than in their counterparts (P<0. 05), with the percentage of 57. 2% (124/216), 60. 3% (199/330), 42. 9% (6/14), respectively. In squamous cell carcinomas and other subtypes, EGFR mutation rates were 11. 6% (5/43) and 11. 1% (1/9), respectively. The EGFR mutation types included exon 18 point mutations (4. 0%, 9/227), exon 19 deletion mutations (4. 5%, 101/227), exon 20 insert or point mutations (9. 7%, 22/227) and exon 21 point mutations (41. 4%, 94/227). Activating mutations of KRAS gene were detected in 7. 8%(31/396) of NSCLC. Twenty-eight patients showed codon 12 mutations ( G>T, G>A, G>C) , and three patients had codon 13 mutations ( G>A, G>T) . Most of these mutations were G to T transversion (64. 5%, 20/31). Conclusion Polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing is a reliable and effective method for the detection of the EGFR and KRAS gene mutation in NSCLC patients. The mutation rate of EGFR is higher in Chinese patients, especial-ly in non-smoking female patients with adenocarcinoma.

Objective To observe the sub-chronic effects of low doses of arsenic poisoning in rabbits exposed to different periods on some of the serum enzymes and biochemical indicators, and to provide the basis for screening of meaningful hematologic indicators for early diagnosis of arsenic poisoning. Methods Twelve adult rabbits,weighing 2.0 - 3.5 kg, were randomly divided into four groups, 3 in each group, and they were fed with drinking water containing sodium arsenite 0(control),0.01,0.05,0.25 mg/L, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transacylase (y-GT), total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), globulin(GLP), and ALB/GLP of rabbit were measured by SYSMEX-180 automated biochemistry analyzer after 8 weeks and 12 weeks exposure. Results The results showed that ALT in 0.05 mg/Lgroup of 12 week[(60.00 ± 4.14)U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(41.50 ± 2.12)U/L, P ＜0.05];AST in 0.25 mg/L group of 8 week and 12 week[(46.50 ± 3.21 ), (52.33 ± 3.81 )U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(21.33 ± 3.53), (29.50 ± 3.23 )U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];ALP in 0.05 mg/L and 0.25 mg/L group of 12 week [(78.68 ± 4.85 ), ( 103.00 ± 7.83 ) U / L]increased significantly compared with the control [(45.50 ± 5.50)U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];γ-GT in 0.05 mg/L group of 12 week[(19.33 ± 7.50)U/L]increased significantly compared with the contro1[(8.50 ± 3.53)U/L, P＜ 0.05]. TP, ALB, GLP, ALB/GLP of different groups of 8 week and 12 week were not significantly different statistically(F= 0.77,0.02,0.16,3.14 and 0.51,0.29,0.41,0.52, all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions Zero point zero five mg/L and higher doses of sub-chronic arsenic exposure has some major damage to the liver. Compared with other serum enzymes and the biochemical indexes, serum AST is a early sensitive indicator of liver injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Objective To investigate the effect of intra-articular carboxymethylated ehitosan(CM- CTS)injection on inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)expression in cartilage at the early stage of os- teoarthfitis(OA).Methods Thirty-two white rabbits were underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT)and were randomly divided into 4 groups 5 weeks after transection.Rabbits of group A re- ceived 0.3 ml of 2% high molecular weight CMCTS(H-CMCTS)once every two weeks.Rabbits in group B were treated using 2% low molecular weight(L-CMCTS)CMCTS at:the same intervals.Group C rabbits were injected intra-articularly with 0.3 ml of 1% sodium hyaluronate(Na-HA)once a week.Animals of group D were not injected.At sacrifice,11 weeks following surgery,the expression of iNOS in cartilages was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)methods.Results Both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that the level of iNOS expression of cartilage in CMCTS in- jection groups was lower than that in Na-HA injection group and the untreated group.There was no significant difference in iNOS expression between the two different molecular weight CMCTS injection groups. No signifi- cant difference of iNOS expression in cartilage was found between Na-HA injection group and the untreated group.Conclusion CMCTS suppresses iNOS expression in cartilage during the early stage of OA.Na-HA treatment has no effect on iNOS expression in cartilage.

Humans ; COVID-19 ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Pain

Purpose To investigate the positive rate and concordance rate of BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma detected by real-time PCR method and Sanger sequencing. Methods 312 papillary thyroid carcinomas patients were enrolled in this study. Real-time PCR method and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect BRAF gene mutations. The frequency of BRAF mutation and the concordance of two methods were analyzed. Results BRAF mutation was detected in 65. 4% (204/312) and 63. 8% (199/312) of 312 papillary thyroid carcinoma samples by using real-time PCR method and Sanger sequencing, respectively. There was no significant correlation between BRAF gene mutations and patients’ gender. There was significant correlation between BRAF gene mutations and patients’ age. The overall concordance between real-time PCR method and Sanger sequencing for BRAF mutation detection was 98. 4%. Conclusion Real-time PCR method provides an effective method in BRAF gene mutation detection.

Adult ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Metapneumovirus ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Students

Objective To analyze obese children serum lipid level in order to understand the relationship between serum lipid and cardiovascular disease in obese children.Methods One hundred and fifty-three children(109 male and 44 female)aged 4-16 years old with obesity who attended the outpatient clinic of Beijing Children′s Hospital were collected.Percentage body fat (%BF),body fat (BF),fat-free mass (FFM) was estimated by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and calculate.Waist and hip circumference,waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was estimated by soft tape measure and calculate.Skinfold thickness of scapular bone below (S) and triceps muscle (T),S/T rate was estimated by skin fold meter and calculate.Serum total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein(LDL-C),apolipoprotein(Apo) AI and Apo B levels were also measured.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyzed the data.Results The cardiovascular disease related was the prevalence of high TC levels(3.3%)or high LDL-C level(6.0%) and high TG level(24.7%) was rather low.HDL-C level was reduced in 31.3% of obese children.In children over 10 years old,%BW and %BF showed a weak correlation with HDL-C(r=-0.202,-0.211).Conclusions In obese children,serum lipid as well as Apo level should be exa-mined in order to evaluate angiocardiopathy.

To explore the related risk factors and outcome in pregnancy- induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy.
●METHODS: A total of 105 pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy in our hospital from Januany 2012 to December 2013 were enrolled. Clinical date of them were collected to analyze.
●RESULTS: The occurrence of pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy were positively correlated with the course of the disease, blood pressure, proteinuria, and it was higher occurred in cold winter and spring, timely termination of pregnancy and appropriate hormone therapy can promote the recovery of vision, and improve outcomes of pregnancy.
●CONCLUSlON: The occurrence of pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy associated with season and disease severity. Timely treatment can restore normal vision, improve maternal and neonatal prognosis. Routine examination of fundus examination should be used as the pregnancy induced hypertension syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method for determination of Mangiferin in the leafs of Folium mangiferae. By this new method, Mangiferin in F. mangiferae sampled in different months and in different regions was determinated.

METHODA RP-HPLC method was set up, using Shim pack CLC-ODS column, methanol-0.05 mol.L-1 H3PO4(65:134, pH 3.5) as mobile phase, with 258 nm of detection wave, at room temperature, 1 mL.min-1. F. mangiferae sampled in Nanning, Qinzhou and Tianyang, Guangxi province and sampled respectively in January to December were determinated.

RESULTThe average recovery of the RP-HPLC was 99.2%, RSD = 1.05% (n = 5). The content of Mangiferin in F. mangiferae was statistically different due to different sample-regions or sample-time.

CONCLUSIONThis RP-HPLC method is simple, specific and exact. The contents of Mangiferin in the leafs of F. mangiferae sample in Nanning and Tinayang were statistically similar, but higher than that in Qinzhou. The contents of Mangiferin in the leafs of F. mangiferae sampled in July to October were higher than that in the other months. The content in September was the highest, the content in February was the lowest.

China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Mangifera ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Xanthones ; analysis