Objective To investigate the quantity and species distribution of diatoms in Chuanyang River of Pudong new area of Shanghai and provide references for the invesitigation of water body in forensic practice. Methods The water samples collected from 15 areas in Chuanyang River of Pudong new area in September 2012 were examined by microscope to identify the species of diatoms. Results Cyclotella and Pinnularia were found to be the dominant species within the 12 species of diatoms in Chuanyang River, which showed differences in species among the sections of Huangpu River, the center and the East China Sea. Conclusion The differences in subsectional distribution of diatom species in Chuanyang River may provide a new foundation for forensic identification in drowning cases especially in the deter-mination of falling location.

In 2012, a new SARS-like coronavirus emerged in the Middle East, namely the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It has caused outbreaks with high mortality. During infection of target cell, MERS-CoV S protein S1 subunit binds to the cellular receptor (DPP4), and its S2 subunit HR1 and HR2 regions intact with each other to form a stable six-helix bundle to mediate the fusion between virus and target cell membranes. Hence, blocking the process of six-helix bundle formation can effectively inhibit MERS-CoV entry into the target cells. This review focuses on the recent advance in the development of peptidic entry inhibitors targeting the MERS-CoV S2 subunit.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused outbreaks of SARS-like disease with 35% case-fatality rate, mainly in the Middle East. A more severe outbreak of MERS occurred recently in the Republic of Korea, where 186 people contracted the infections, causing great concern worldwide. So far, there has been no clinically available drug for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The potential drugs against MERS-CoV mainly consist of monoclonal antibodies, peptides and small molecular agents. Small molecular agents have an advantage of easier synthesis, lower cost in production and relatively higher stability. There is better chance for those candidates to gain a quick development. This article reviews the progress of developing small molecular MERS-CoV agents.

Objective To design and synthesize a series of new type four hydrogen quinoline-benzyl/benzimidazole amine derivatives as a potential new inhibitor targeting auxiliary receptor CXCR 4, and determine their inhibitory activities to HIV-1.Methods Based on HIV-1 receptor CXCR4 inhibitors containing three nitrogen structure-activity motif and CCR5 partial hydrophobic pharmacophore , a series of new compounds were designed , synthesized and characterized by 1 HNMR and MS.The inhibitory activities of these compounds were determined using HIV-1 IIIB virus.Results and Conclusion Ten target compounds are synthesized .Four hydrogen quinoline-benzimidazole amine derivatives exhibit good anti-HIV activity(IC50 <1 μmol/L), but four hydrogen quinoline-benzyl amine compounds are less active ((IC50 >8 μmol/L).

BACKGROUND: The selective innervation of different sacral nerve roots on bladder in SD mice is still uncertain.OBJECTIVE: To study the selective innervation of sacral nerve roots to bladder in order to provide evidence for rebuilding bladder function after spinal cord injury and establishing experimental animal model of artificial bladder.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled study.SETTING: Department of orthopaedics in two universities and physiological department of a medical university.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Key Laboratory of Hand Function Reconstruction of Ministry of Public Health in Medical College of Fudan University from October 2000 to June 2002. Totally 10 male SD mice of clean class with body mass between 250 and 300 g were chosen.INTERVENTIONS: The mice were randomly divided into two groups of which one used left side as experimental side and the other used right side. Extradural electric stimulation was conducted to St -4 nerve roots of SD mice after spinal cord injury.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To record the change of action potential of cystic nerve plexus and compound muscle action potential of bladder smooth muscle, and insert the pressure monitor into bladder to record internal pressure of bladder by pressure transducer.RESULTS: S1 -4 nerve all participate the innervation of bladder in SD mice,among them, the S2 nerve is the most important one, next with S1, S3 and S4is the minimum one.CONCLUSION: Different sacral nerve roots have different dominative effects to bladder smooth muscle. It is meaningful for patients of spinal cord injury to improve their urination function by performing artificially electric stimulation for emiction through the main nerve roots controlling of bladder or rebuilding artificial bladder reflex arc by neurorrhaphy

Objective: In the present study we observed the general pattern of the adaptive response of thymocyte apoptosis and cell cycle progression induced by low dose radiation (LDR). Methods: Kunming male mice were irradiated with the inductive dose (D1, 75 mGy) and the challenging dose (D2, 1.5 Gy). The intervals between D1 and D2 were 3, 6, 12, 24 and 60 hours. The changes of thymocyte apoptotic bodies (TAB) and cell cycle progression were measured with flow cytometry with the thymocytes cultured for 4, 20 and 44 hours, respectively, 18 hours after irradiation with D2. Results: When the intervals between D1 and D2 were 3, 6 and 12 hours, the percentages of TAB in the D1 + D2 groups in the thymocytes cultured for 4 and 20 hours were significantly lower than those in the D2 groups (P<0.05) and the percentages of G0/G1 and G2 + M phase cells decreased in varying degrees, while the percentages of S phase cells increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: The results mentioned above indicate that when the mice were irradiated with 75 mGy (D1, 12.5 mGy/min) 3～12 hours before 1.5 Gy (D2, 0.285 Gy/min) exposure, the adaptive response of apoptosis and cell cycle progression may be induced with the thymocytes cultured for 4 and 20 hours after whole-body irradiation with D2.

Objective:To study effects of large dose thymopeptides on T cell subpopulations of patients with malignant tumor under radiotherapy.Methods:Fifty one patients with malignant tumor under radiotherapy were divided into 2 groups with 100 mg and 200 mg thymopeptides respectively.The patients we re given thymopeptides,100 mg/d or 200 mg/d,iv, for 10 days.The positive percent ages of CD4,CD8,CD25 and CD56 in T cells of peripheral blood before and after thymopeptide treatment were determined by flow cytometry.Results:The positive percentages of CD4 and CD25 in T cells of peripheral bl ood after 100 mg/d thymopeptide treatment were significantly higher than those befor e thymopeptide treatment (P<0.05),while those of CD4，CD8，CD25 and CD56 in T cells of peripheral blood after 200 mg/d thymopeptide treatment all increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:These results suggest that large dose of thymopeptides can increase i mmune function of patients with malignant tumor under radiotherapy,and the curat ive effect of 200 mg/d thymopeptides is better.

In recent years,unexpected outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses have become more frequent,which is possibly due to environmental changes.These outbreaks result in the loss of life and economic hardship.Vaccines and therapeutics should be developed for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.In this review,we summarize and discuss the latest progress in the development of small-molecule viral inhibitors against highly pathogenic coronaviruses,including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,Ebola virus,and Zika virus.These viruses can interfere with the specific steps of viral life cycle by blocking the binding between virus and host cells,disrupting viral endocytosis,disturbing membrane fusion,and interrupting viral RNA replication and translation,thereby demonstrating potent therapeutic effect against various emerging and re-emerging viruses.We also discuss some general strategies for developing small-molecule viral inhibitors.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of Xiongzhi Dilong decoction(XZDLD)and its wind medicine on calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-induced migraine and explore the mechanism through the CGRP/inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)pathway.Methods:Rats were divided into control,model,XZDLD,XZDLD(external wind),XZDLD(internal wind),and olcegepant groups.CGRP was injected into the dura mater to induce a migraine.The frequency of head scratching,cage climbing,and facial grooming was observed.The pain threshold,the levels of CGRP,pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP),substance P(SP),and the plasma protein extravasation(PPE)ratio were measured.The phosphorylation levels of p38,extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2),and expression of iNOS were detected by western blot.Results:Compared with the model group,the three modified XZDLD groups showed reduced frequency of head scratching and cage climbing in the first 30 min(all P＜.05).Facial grooming frequency was reduced in XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind)groups(P=.0003 and P=.0131,respectively).External wind medicine played a more important role in increasing mechanical pain threshold than internal wind medicine.Moreover,compared with the model group,the three modified XZDLD groups demonstrated reduced plasma levels of CGRP and PACAP(all P＜.05).No difference in the SP level was observed among the six groups.XZDLD reduced PPE ratio.XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind)groups suppressed the CGRP/iNOS pathway by inhibiting the p-p38/p38 ratio and the expression of iNOS.No difference in pERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio was detected among the six groups.Conclusion:XZDLD increases pain threshold,downregulates the expression of CGRP and PACAP,and reduces PPE ratio by inhibiting the CGRP/iNOS pathway.External wind medicine is more effective than internal one on improving facial grooming and head scratching,increasing the mechanical pain threshold,and inhibiting the expression of iNOS.