Vectors used to carry foreign genes play an important role in gene therapy, among which, the adeno-associated virus (AAV) has many advantages, such as nonpathogenicity, low immunogenicity, stable and long-term expression and multiple-tissue-type infection, etc. These advantages have made AAV one of the most potential vectors in gene therapy, and widely used in many clinical researches, for example, Parkinson's disease. This paper introduces the biological characteristics of AAV and the latest research progress of AAV carrying neurotrophic factor, dopamine synthesis related enzymes and glutamic acid decarboxylase gene in the gene therapy of Parkinson's disease.

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect and safety of finasteride on aged patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH)complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:A total of 84 aged ISH + BPH pa-tients admitted from Jun 2011 to May 2013 were selected.According to medication plan,they were divided into fin-asteride group (n=44)and routine treatment group (n=40,only received routine treatment because they cannot use finasteride).Course of treatment was all six months.International prostate symptom score (IPSS),quality of life (QOL) questionnaire score,prostate-specific antigen (PSA),incidence rate of acute urinary retention,maximum u-rinary flow rate (Qmax),postvoid residual urine (PRV),prostate volume (PV)and incidence rate of adverse reac-tions were compared between two groups.Results:Compared with routine treatment group,there were significant reductions in IPSS [(13.2±2.4)scores vs.(9.4±1.1)scores],PRV [(21.4±4.6)ml vs.(9.0±2.3)ml],PV [(36.8±3.8)ml vs.(29.5±3.0)ml],PSA [(2.45±0.74)μg/L vs.(1.26±0.48)μg/L]and incidence rate of acute urinary retention (17.50% vs.9.09%),P<0.05 or <0.01,and significant increase in Qmax [(10.2±2.4) ml vs.(13.7±3.8)ml]and QOL score [(3.1±1.0)scores vs.(4.7±1.5)scores]in finasteride group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in incidence rates of adverse reactions between two groups,P>0.05 all.Con-clusion:Therapeutic effect of finasteride is significant and adverse reactions don’ t increase significantly in aged pa-tients with isolated systolic hypertension complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective To construct a bicistronic retrovirus expression vector to coexpress Delta1 and EGFP genes. Methods Delta1-IRES-EGFP bicistronic retrovirus vector was constructed by linking full-length Delta1 cDNA with IRES-EGFP retrovirus vector. Transfected with the retrovirus vector by electroporation, the ecotropic- and amphotropic-packaging cell lines GP+E86 and PA317 were selected by addition of puromycin. Positive cell clones were obtained and tested for the efficiency of the retroviral supernatants. Two positive cell clones with relatively highest titers were picked up and used for ping-pong amplification assay to improve the retroviral supernatants titer. At day 2 after transfection, GFP expression in NIH3T3 was detected by FACS, and Delta1 expression was determined by RT-PCR assay. Transfected or wild type NIH3T3 were co-cultured with myoblasts cell line C2C12 to test whether the exogenous Delta1 protein was functional or not. Results The bicistronic retrovirus expression vector coexpressing Delta1 and EGFP genes was successfully constructed and verified by PCR and DNA sequencing. A high-level expression of functional Delta protein was detected in transfected NIH3T3 cells. Conclusion Retrovirus is a safe, highly efficient gene transfer system.

Aptamers are capable of binding a wide range of biomolecular targets with high affinity and specificity. It has been widely developed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Because of unique three dimensional structures and cell-membrane penetration, aptamers inhibit virus infection not only through binding specific target, such as the viral envelope, genomic site, enzyme, or other viral components, but also can be connected to each other or with siRNA jointly achieve antiviral activity. Taking human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus as examples, this paper reviewed the effects and mechanisms of aptamers on disturbing viral infection and replication steps. It may provide an insight to the development of aptamer-based new antiviral drugs.

Objective To investigate the effect of 5-azacytidine on cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Method BMSCs were isolated from the marrow of adult SD rat’s femoral /tibial bones.Different concentration of 5-azacytidine were added to primary BMSCs on 3 d and cultured for different times.Cardiomyogenic differentiation of BMSCs was observed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Result After treated with 5-azacytidine, BMSCs proliferated slowly, became spindle-shaped after 10 d and aligned in a striated pattern after 20 d.TnT positive cells were showed by Immunohistochemistry and they expressed two cardiac-marked genes GATA-4 and ?-MHC.Thus 5-azacytidine induced cardiomyogenic differentiation of BMSCs in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion Our study suggests that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro. They are ideal donor cells in cellular cardiomyoplasty for treatment of myocardial infarction.

p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene is known for a most important cell cycle regulator as well as its roles in apoptosis and differentiation. This review focuses on p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene functions and its association with carcinogenesis. Better understanding of the structure and function of p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene may help to comprehend molecular mechanisms of cancers and to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of malignancy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of indomethacin on insulin resistance and metabolic response to surgical injury in patients with gastrointestinal tumor.MethodsFifty-eight cases with gastric cancer or colon cancer were divided into an indomethacin group (n =28) and a control group (n =30).All the operations were performed under general anesthesia.Patients in both groups were given parenteral nutrition 24 hours after operation for 5 ～ 7 days.The patients in the indomethacin group were treated with indomethacin suppository ( 100 mg/12 h).Fasting blood glucose (FBG),fasting serum insulin (FINS),creatinine (Cr),blood urine nitrogen (BUN),triglyceride (TG),free fatty acid (FFA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of the two groups were detected on the day before operation,and 24,72,120 hours after operation.Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated by using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).The vital signs were observed in 72 hours after operation.ResultsThe vital signs in the indomethacin group were more steady.The levels of FBG,FINS,and InHOMA-IR of the control group 24 hours and 72 hours after operation were higher than before operation ( all P =0.000) and those of the indomethacin group ( all P ＜0.01 ).In both of the two groups,the levels of Cr,BUN,TG,and FFA were higher than those before operation,but declined over time.All the indexes in the indomethacin group 120 hours after operation decreased significantly compared with the levels 24 hours after operation ( all P =0.000 ),as well as with the levels in the control group 120 hours after operation ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).No significant difference was found in the level of CRP between the two groups and between before and after operation.ConclusionIndomethacin could reduce the postoperative stress hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in patients with gastrointestinal tumor.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of community treatment and management mode in elderly patients with hypertension.Methods A total of 286 elderly patients with hypertension were treated with community therapy and management for 6 months.The improvements in life style and hypertension control were observed before and after the community treatment and management.Results There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the elderly patients before and after the treatment and management [(158.4± 11.3) mm Hg vs.(131.3±5.9) mm Hg,(99.6±8.9) mm Hg vs.(81.5±5.6) mm Hg,respectively,both P＜0.05].Compared with pretreatment,the blood pressure control rate,the awareness rate of diagnostic criteria and the drug compliance were significantly increased after the treatment and management [38.5％ (110/286) vs.96.9％ (277/286),66.4％ (190/286) vs.100％ (286/286),49％ (140/286)vs.91.3％ (261/286),x2 =98.87,115.36,122.13,respectively,all P＜0.01].Conclusions The community treatment and management can increase the blood pressure control rate and improve the quality of life in elderly patients with hypertension.It is a feasible method to comprehensively prevent and control hypertension.

Objective To investigate the relationship between H-type hypertension and unstable angina (UA).Methods Totally 147 elderly inpatients with hypertension and angina in our hospital were selected.Patients were divided into H-type hypertension group [n=72,serum homocysteine (Hcy) level ≥10 μmol/L] and primary hypertension group [n=75,serum homocysteine (Hcy) level ＜10 μmol/L].All patients underwent coronary angiography.Serum Hcy level was measured by enzyme method and compared between groups.Results There were statistical differences in the UA incidence,Gensini's score and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level between the H-type hypertension group and primary hypertension group [(44.4％ (32/72) vs.12.0％ (9/75),(44.2± 21.3) vs.(31.9±18.4),(4.3±2.1) μg/L vs.(2.0±1.9) μg/L,respectively,all P＜0.01].Serum Hcy level in H-type hypertension group was higher during UA attack than during UA remission [(22.2±7.1)μmol/L vs.(13.7±3.7)μmol/L,P＜ 0.01].Serum Hcy level during UA attack was increased in H-type hypertension group than in stable angina group [(22.2±7.1)μmol/L vs.(12.0± 4.2) μmol/L,P ＜ 0.01].Serum levels of Hcy,total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in primary hypertension group were higher in UA patients than in stable angina patients [(8.9±2.2)μmol/L vs.(6.6± 1.2)μmol/L,(6.9±0.7)mmol/L vs.(4.5±0.5)mmol/L,(4.6±0.8)mmol/L vs.(2.7 ± 0.6) mmol/L,respectively,P＜ 0.01 or P＜0.05].Logistic regression analysis showed that H-type hypertension was the independent risk factor for unstable angina in the elderly (OR =5.691,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions H-type hypertension is closely correlated with unstable angina,which is the independent risk factor for unstable angina in the elderly.Serum Hcy level has significant correlation with coronary atherosclerotic plaque stability and the severity of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: There have been reports about the cochlea injury after high-velocity projectile wounding. The effect on ultrastructure of cochlea after blast was still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate ultrastructural changes of cochlea and cochlear nerve after maxillofacial blast wound.DESIGN:A randomized controlled observational trail with dogs as subjects.SETTING: Otolaryngeal Department and Maxillofacial Surgery Laboratory of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The study was conducted from August 1995 through July 1997. The animal model in maxillofacial blast wound was established in Animal Center of Xinqiao Hospital of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. Specimens were treated in Maxillofacial Laboratory and observed in Electron Microscope Laboratory. Totally 15 dogs of either sex (weighting 9. 5 - 13.5 kg, mean 11.3 kg ) were randomly divided into three groups with 5 in each group. Two groups served as trauma groups 1 and 2 and the other group as control.METHODS: The maxillary and mandibular regions of 10 dogs in trauma groups were wounded by model 8 cardboard-shelled detonators to establish animal model of maxillofacial blast wound. At the 1st and 6th hour after trauma the wounds were examined and specimens of cochlea and cochlear nerve were dissected out for electron microscopic observation to study the ultrastructural changes. The specimens in the control group were treated the same way as those in the trauma groups except for blast injury.RESULTS: After wounded, the cochlea and cochlear nerve in the early period manifested cilia disorder, edema of the nerve and mitochondrial degeneration. At the 6th hour after trauma there were extensive degeneration in cochlea and cochlear nerve, cilia fallen off hair cells and dissolution of the structures in nerve sheath.CONCLUSION: The ultrastructural changes of cochlea and cochlear nerve are severed as a result of maxillofacial blast wound, but in early period the injury is reversible. So it is very important that early cure should be emphasized in treatment.