Objective: Trying to find the ways to enhance the expression of cyp71av1 gene encoding cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase which is a key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthesis pathway accelerating the artemisinin synthesis, the promoter of cyp71av1 was isolated and characterized. Methods: 5′ untranslated regions of cyp71av1 were isolated from Artemisia annua with thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. For functional characterization, the isolated fragments were fused with β-glucuronidase GUS reporter gene and introduced into Nicotiana tabacum by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The GUS expression regulated by 5′ untranslated regions of cyp71av1 in transgenic N. tabacum under the normal or stressed conditions were detected by histochemical staining and quantitative spectrophotometry assay. Results: Two DNA fragments upstream of cyp71av1 coding sequence, a long fragment and a truncated fragment, were isolated from A. annua and introduced into N. tabacum respectively. Histochemical staining showed that two isolated fragments confered stable GUS expression in transgenic plants, and no significant difference was found between the two fragments on the GUS activity. The quantitative results also showed that the GUS activity in transgenic tobacco plants treated by dehydration, low-temperature (4 °C), and ultraviolet irradiation were 1.4 to 2.7 folds higher than that in the controls. Conclusion: It suggests that the isolated fragments has promoter activity and may be responsive to adverse environmental stresses.

Objective To observe the effects of Shenqi Mixture on sLOX‐1 ,SOD ,MDA ,NO ,ET and lipid level among the patients with different types of hyperlipidemia and to investigate the mechanism of blood vessel protection .Methods Sixty‐four patients with hyperlipidemia were divided into high TC group (20 cases) ,high TG group(12 cases) ,mixed type hyperlipidemia group(23 cases) and low HDL group(9 cases) .Every patients were treated with Shenqi Mixture 10 g/d ,treatment course was 6 weeks .Other 25 healthy people of normal blood lipid were selected as the control group .The levels of sLOX‐1 ,SOD ,MDA ,NO ,ET and blood lipid were detected before and after treatment .Results The levels of sLOX‐1 was increased by high TC and mixed type of hyperlipidemia(P<0 .01) .There was a positive correlation between sLOX‐1 with TC and LDL‐C(r=0 .616 ,P<0 .05 ,r=0 .537 , P<0 .05);each type of hyperlipidemia could decrease the level of SOD and NO (P<0 .01) and increased the level of MDA and ET (P<0 .01) .But the effect of SOD ,NO ,ET and MDA on types of hyperlipidemia had difference .Shenqi Mixture decreases the ex‐pression of sLOX‐1 ,regulates the balance of lipid oxidation and peroxidation level TC ,LDL‐C ,MDA and ET (P< 0 .01) and in‐creased the levels of SOD ,NO and HDL‐C(P<0 .01) ,but had no effect on TG(P>0 .05) .Conclusion Shenqi Mixture has good effects on blood vessel protection and protects the vascular endothelial cells ,thus plays the protective role on blood vessel .

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Heterotrimeric G proteins are classes of signal-transducing proteins that bind to guanine nucleotides and possess GTP hydrolase activity. G proteins are composed of three subunits α, β, and γ, and are considered as the "molecular switch" in the GPCR signaling pathway. The abnormal activation of G protein is strongly related to diseases such as uveal melanoma, asthma, et al., making directly targeting G protein as an promising strategy for combating diseases. In this review, the classification and physiological functions of G protein are briefly described, and the research progress of G proteins in diseases, G protein modulators are reviewed.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor (sEHI) for NF-κB pathway and cell circle arrest of tubular epithelial cell in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice model.Methods Thirty-two healthy C57BL/6 male mice performed UUO surgery to induce renal interstitial fibrosis.Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham group (n=8),sEHI (1 mg· kg-1·d-1) group (n=8),UUO group (n=8) and UUO+sEHI (1 mg· kg-1· d-1) group (n=8).Daily sEHI [1-(1-methylsulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-3-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-urea,TUPS] or 2％ DMSO was applied to mice by oral gavage from day 1 to day 14 after surgery.All mice were sacrificed at day 14 and kidneys were harvested for further analysis.The changes of renal tissue morphology and pathology were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and sirius red staining.The expressions of sEH,nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and IκB were measured by Western blotting.The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β,MCP-1,IL-6,TGF-β,CTGF,collagen-Ⅳ and α-SMA were analyzed by real-time PCR.Immunofluorescence staining of phospho-histone H3 (p-HH3) and Ki67 was performed to determine the stage of cell cycle G2/M arrest.Results The expression and activity of sEH increased in UUO group (P ＜ 0.05).Administration of sEHI inhibited activity of sEH and infiltration of inflammatory cell in tubular interstitial,as well as attenuated tubular damage and tubular interstitial fibrosis.Western blotting analysis revealed administration of sEHI inhibited up-regulated NF-κB p65 and down-regulated IκB in UUO group (P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR demonstrated that administration of sEHI obviously decreased the mRNA expression of cytokines and fibrosis markers,including of TNF-α,IL-1 β,MCP-1,IL-6,TGF-β,CTGF,Collagen-Ⅳ,α-SMA (P ＜ 0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that there were much more p-HH3 and Ki67 double positive nuclear tubular epithelial cells and interstitial cells in UUO group,compared with Sham group (P ＜ 0.05).Administration of sEHI reduced the number of double positive nuclear cell only in tubular epithelial cells (P ＜ 0.05),but not in interstitial cells.Conclusions In UUO tubular interstitial fibrosis model,sEHI inhibits the activation of NF-κB pathway by down-regulating p65 and up-regulating IκB and ameliorates the infiltration of inflammatory cells.In addition,sEHI plays anti-fibrosis effect by moderating cell cycle G2/M arrest and reducing the excrete of pro-fibrosis factors of tubular epithelial cells.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Ependymoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Hemangioblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Meningioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the feasibility of buccal mucosa swab method to isolate genomic DNA for au-tism spectrum disorders (ASD)-related genetic screening. Methods Buccal mucosa swabs and blood were collected from 41 children with ASD. Genomic DNA was extracted from either blood by using a commercial genomic DNA kit or buccal mucosa swab by using phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol method. The concentration, total quality and purity of genomic DNA were compared between these two methods. Genotyping of the ASD-related methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T locus was analyzed using PCR-restriction enzymatic digestion and sanger sequencing was per-formed for validation. Results The total quality [(5.87±2.58)μg vs. (2.00±0.92)μg] and concentration [(143.25±72.78) mg/L vs. (66.68±24.43) mg/L] of genomic DNA extracted from buccal mucosa swab were higher than that form blood (P<0.05), while the purity was not significantly different between these two methods (P>0.05). Genotyping analysis of MTHFR was also consistent between these two methods. Conclusion Buccal mucosa swab is a simple, non-invasive and reliable meth-od to obtain genomic DNA, which can partially replace blood for analysis of ASD-related gene polymorphisms.

Objective To clarify the role of the virtual reality (VR)in the training of trans-femoral cerebral angiography for novices without any experience of intravascular manipulation. Methods Twenty-four novices without experiences of intravascular manipulation were divided into 2 groups (VR group or control group)with random pair method concerning the age,gender and subjects. The par-ticipants in control group were trained in routine manners while those in VR group practiced on a simulator and subsequently participated in real angiography once as assistants. Real angiography tests were performed for all participants after the training session and additional angiography tests were per-formed for VR group just after the stimulation session on the simulator. Real angiography tests were supervised and scored according to a modified rating scale by neuroradiological experts who were blinded to the novices' training procedures. Difference between the real test performance of the two groups were compared by pared-samples t test,while the correlation between the performance of the real tests and simulator tests of VR group was proved by Pearson correlation analysis. P<0.05 was con-sidered statistically significant. Results The mean scores of VR group were (27.6±3.6)and (26.4± 3.8)in the tests on simulator and real angiography tests respectively,while score of control group was (21.2±3.4)in the real angiography tests. A positive correlation was revealed in VR group between performance on the simulator and that on real patients (r=0.825,P=0.001). Real performance of the VR group was significantly better than that of control group (P=0.010). Conclusions Virtual reality could ensure transfer of acquired endovascular skills from simulators to patients so as to become a valid tool for novices to improve the interventional techniques in tranfemoral cerebral angiography.

Objective To study the influence of periacetabular muscle contraction on acetabular] fractures.Methods Twenty intact adult cadaveric pelvis(40 hip joints)treated antiseptically with bilat- eral 1/2 femoral shafts were selected and divided randomly into two groups(20 hip joints in each group). Then,the specimens were trimmed to fit the RMT-150B rock mechanics measuring system and the special in- creasing pressure system.After pressure of 3 500 N was pressed to the control group and pressure of 4500 N to the experimental group,acetabular fracture model was made by beatening with special striking machine,when striking force was recorded.Results We made forty aeetabular fracture models from 40 cadaveric hips. Pearson correlation coefficient of pressing force and striking force was -0.923(P＜0.01).The striking force of the control group and the experimental group was 445-550 N and 290-400 N,respectively(t= 14.727,P＜0.01).Conclusion The increase of contraction force of the periaeetabular muscles can decrease aeetabular stress and strain,influence the result of violent injury and play a vital role in inducing acetabular fractures.

Objective To evaluate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial injury in the patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Thirty patients of both sexes,aged 21-59 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ (New York Heart Association Ⅱ or Ⅲ),with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40％,scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement under CPB,were divided into 2 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:control group (C group) and ischemic postconditioning group (P group).In group P,ischemic postconditioning was induced by 3 cycles of 30 s aortic unclamping followed by 30 s cross-clamping starting from 5 min before complete opening of the ascending aorta.After induction of anesthesia and before operation (T1),at 1 h after opening of the ascending aorta (T2),at the end of operation (T3),and at 12,24 and 48 h after opening of the ascending aorta (T4-6),blood samples were taken from the radial artery for determination of plasma concentrations of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP),ischemia-modified albumin (IMA),and cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnI).Myocardial specimens in the right auricle were obtained at T2,and the pathological changes were examined using an optical microscope.Results The concentrations of plasma cTnI at T2-6 and H-FABP and IMA at T2-5 were significantly higher than those at T1 in the two groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the concentrations of plasma cTnI at T2-6,H-FABP at T2-4,and IMA at T2,3 were significantly decreased (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of myocardial tissues were significantly reduced in group P.Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning can reduce myocardial injury in the patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under CPB.