AIM To express recombinant human cytochrome P450 3A4 mutants CYP3A4.3, CYP3A4.4, CYP3A4.5 and CYP3A4.18, and to employ them for in vitro metabolism studies of CYP3A4. METHODS Use Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system to recombinant baculovirus carrying cDNA of CYP3A4 mutants CYP3A4.3, CYP3A4.4, CYP3A4.5 and CYP3A4.18. Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9), cells were co-infected by recombinant viruses of CYP3A4 mutants, human NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome b5 to obtain recombinant proteins CYP3A4.3, CYP3A4.4, CYP3A4.5 and CYP3A4.18 with metabolic activity. RESULTS The mRNA transcription of CYP3A4 mutants in Sf9 cells were validated by RT-PCR. Testosterone and 7-benzyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl) coumarin were metabolized by the lysates of Sf9 cells infected by the recombinant viruses. CONCLUSION CYP3A4 mutants CYP3A4.3, CYP3A4.4, CYP3A4.5 and CYP3A4.18 with metabolic activity were successfully expressed by baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The results indicated that recombinant CYP3A4. 5 showed lower activity comparing to the wild type protein towards testosterone, while CYP3A4. 18 with higher activity, and for CYP3A4.3 and CYP3A4.4 showing similar activity to the wild type protein.

Objective:It proposed a new arithmetic of medical image coding based on the lifting scheme wavelets and the set partitioning in hierarchical trees. Methods: Due to the computational complexity of the traditional wavelet, the lifting scheme, which could speed up the fast wavelet transform, was adopted instead of the traditional wavelet transform. With the comprehensive utilization of SPIHT and arithmetic coding, it could achieve to code medical images. Results: At a range of compression ratio, the peak signal to noise ratio was markedly improved, and it could ensure the quality of the reconstruction of medical image to meet the medical image data storage and transmission needs. Conclusions: The simulation experiments show that at the same bit rate, the peak signal to noise ratio is markedly improved.

Objective To investigate the effect of ultrashortwave diathermy on pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic cor pulmonale(CCP), and its mechanism. Methods Eighty-seven cases of acute phase CCP were divided into 2 groups: an ultrashortwave treatment group, in which 45 patients were treated with both ultrashortwave diathermy and conventional treatment; and a control group, in which 42 patients received regular treatment. The plasma levels of VEGF, ET-1 and the PaO_2, mPAP and FEV1.0 in the two groups were measured before and after treatment. Results In contrast to the control group, the FEV1.0 and PaO_2 of the experimental group were remar-kably increased, while their VEGF, ET-1 and mPAP were significantly decreased after treatment. VEGF and ET-1 were negatively related to PaO_2, and positively related to mPAP. Conclusions Ultrashortwave therapy is effective in treating pulmonary hypertension in patients with CCP. The mechanism for this may involve the synthesis and release of VEGF and ET-1.

Objective To study the effect of human Slitrk1 gene on proliferation and differentiation of PC12 cells. Methods The CDS sequence of Slitrk1 was amplified by PCR, and then cloned into pcDNA4 vector. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA4/Slitrk1 were transfected into rat PC12 cells by lipofectamine. The stable expression cell clones were screened by RT-PCR. MTT method was used to detect the proliferation rate of PC12 cells. The morphologic changes in PC12 cells were observed microscopically. Results The stable cell lines expressing pcDNA4 (pcDNA4/PC12) and pcDNA4/Slitrk1 (ST1/PC12) were established. Compared to pcDNA4/PC12 cells, the growth rate of ST1/PC12 cells was decreased. In addition, pcDNA4/PC12 cells tend to grow as well as the normal PC12 cells. However, most of the ST1/PC12 cells adhered to the plate with one or two neurites. Conclusion Over-expression of human Slitrk1 gene inhibited the proliferation of PC12 cells and promoted the outgrowth of neurites. It is suggested that human Slitrk1 gene may be involved in differentiation of PC12 cells.

Objective To investigate the association betweent clinical markers of N‐terminal probrain natriuretie peptide (NT‐proBNP) ,cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and C‐reaction protein (CRP) in the patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by severe pneumonia and to reveal the pathophysiologic process of myocardial injury after ARDS .Methods Totally 33 patients diagnosed as ARDS caused by severe pneumonia were divided into 3 groups:mild group ,moderate group and severe group according to the New Berlin definition of ARDS .Arterial blood gas analysis ,NT‐proBNP ,cTnI and CRP were observed be‐fore the treatment .Statistics were used for the analyses .Results The NT‐proBNP level in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the mild and moderate groups (P<0 .01);the NT‐proBNP level in the moderate group was also higher than that in the mild group (P< 0 .05) .Besides ,the cTnI level in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the mild and moderate groups (P<0 .01);however ,the cTnI level had no statistical difference between mild and moderate groups (P> 0 .05) .The CRP level in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the mild (P<0 .05) .Moreover ,the NT‐proBNP level of 33 patients was positively associated with the both CRP and cTnI level (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The seriously inflammatory response mediates myocardial injury probably because of ARDS .Combined NT‐proBNP and cTnI testing is important for evaluating the condition of ARDS at the early stage .

The occurrence and outcome of cancer is related to the involved gene;Detecting the expres-sion of gene in body by the real-time PCR technology can diagnose and evaluate the prognosis of patients early. Through analyzing the abnormal genes and molecular,designing and studying the targeted drugs can achieve the therapeutic effect of steady,accurate,relentless,at the same time to reduce side effects and to improve the quality of life.

AIM:To establish an effective and convenient method for applying HPLC fingerprints to quality control in the production of Shanzhuang Jiangzhi Tablet(Semen cassiae,Fructus crataegi,and Folium nelumbinis).METHODS:Diamonsil~(TM) C_(18)(150 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)analytical column was used and eluted with a gradient program consisted of phase B(methanol)and phase D(1 % phosphoric acid)and detected at 254 nm;the column temperature was 30℃.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.RESULTS:Ten batches of sample tablets were tested and gained HPLC fingerprint of the tablet containing 17 common peaks.CONCLUSION:This validated method is available for quality evaluation and quality control in Shanzhuang Jiangzhi Tablet.

BACKGROUND: Researches suggest that ginseng saponin (GS) has protective effect on central nerve, but the effect on spinal nerves is reported rarely.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between effect of GS on spinal nerve and level of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and its mechanism.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study.SETTING: Military Hyperbaric Oxygen Center of Navy General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed at Clinical Anatomy Institute (National Key Laboratory) of the First Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in 2000. Forty SD foetus rats with 15-day conception were selected.METHODS: Study Ⅰ: Embryo-spinal nerve cells of SD rats were separated, extracted and modeled with DMEM/F12 culture medium. On the fourth day of inoculated culture, axon of spinal nerve (simulation of peripheral nerve injury) was damaged with scarification method in injury group, but that in non-injury group was not treated. 150 μL cell culture medium and 100 mg/L Griess solution were mixed at 0, 0.5 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours after injury respectively. Absorbency (A) was assayed with Σ960 (λ=570 nm) enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) symbolic device 10 min-utes after reaction at room temperature. Study Ⅱ: Embryo-spinal nerve cells of SD rats were separated and extracted. Those in the experimental group were treated with GS + DMEM/F12 culture medium, but with DMEM/F12 culture medium in the control group. A value was assayed with the same method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:① Relationship between injury of spinal neurons and level of NO;② Relationship between protective effect of GS and level of NO.RESULTS:① Relationship between injury of spinal neurons and level of NO: In the injury group, NO secretion was increased after injury of spinal neurons, reached peak 2 hours later, and decreased 3 hours later. There was significant difference as compared 0.5 hour with 0 hour (P ＜ 0.01),and also there was significant difference as compared 2 hourswith 0 hour (P ＜ 0.01).② Relationship between protective effect of GS and level of NO: In the control group, A value was increased with time passing, reached peak 2 hours later, and decreased 3 hours later; but A value in the experimental group was not changed generally. There was significant difference between the two groups at 2-hour point (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: NO liberation is increased after peripheral nerve injury.GS can inhibit NO liberation so as to protect peripheral nerve.

CpG motifs are unmethylated oligodeoxynucleotides,and its core sequences are composed of unmethylated cytosine and unmethylated guanine.CpG motifs can induce the immune response by activating a variety of immune cells against diseases.The changes of CpG structure will increase the biological activities of CpG,and then enhance the therapeutic effect of CpG as the immuno adjuvant and the sensitizer of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment

AIM:To establish an effective and convenient method for applying HPLC fingerprints to quality control in the production of Shanzhuang Jiangzhi Tablet(Semen cassiae,Fructus crataegi,and Folium nelumbinis).METHODS:DiamonsilTM C18(150 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) analytical column was used and eluted with a gradient program consisted of phase B(methanol) and phase D(1% phosphoric acid) and detected at 254 nm;the column temperature was 30 ℃.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.RESULTS:Ten batches of sample tablets were tested and gained HPLC fingerprint of the tablet containing 17 common peaks.CONCLUSION:This validated method is available for quality evaluation and quality control in Shanzhuang Jiangzhi Tablet.