Objective To observe the levels of serum sex hormone in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), in order to determine whether there were involvement of sex glands. Methods The levels of serum E2, PROG, FSH, LH and PRL were measured in 66 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by electrochemiluminescence, and the results were compared with that of controls. Results The results showed that levels of serum E2, PROG,and FSH in patients with SARS were significantly lower than those of controls. On the other hand, the levels of serum LH and PRL were significantly higher than those of controls. The level of E2 in patients with severe type SARS was significantly lower than that in patients with mild type.The levels of sex hormones returned later than improvement of clinical symptoms. Conclusion The levels of serum sex hormones were lowered in patients with SARS, indicating that the changes in sex hormones might play a role in the disease process of SARS. Recovery of levels of sex hormones was retarded.

Objective To observe the level of serum IFN-2? in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS). Methods The level of serum IFN-2? in 66 patients with SARS were measured by RIA, and healthy subjects served as control. Results The results showed that level of serum IFN-2? in patients with SARS in active period were significantly higher than that in control, and level of serum IFN-2? in severe type of patients with SARS either rose or fell. Conclusions The change of serum IFN-2? level indicated that cellular immunity participated in immunoreaction to SARS virus. The change of IFN-2? level in severe type of patients with SARS reflected the difference of immunoreaction in the patients.

Objective To observe the level change of serum SOD in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods The levels of serum SOD in 66 patients with SARS were measured by RIA, and compared with controls. Results The levels of serum SOD in patients with SARS were significantly lower than those in controls, and in severe type of SARS patients were lower than those in the other types. The levels of serum SOD in the recovery stage of SARS patients increased, but still was lower than those in controls. Conclusion Excessive free radicals were produced in patients with SARS, and SOD was depleted. The level change of SOD in patients with SARS may reflect state of disease. Dynamic detection of serum SOD level is helpful for monitoring state of SARS. It may be an important therapeutic measure that excessive free radicals were eliminated from SARS patient body.

Objective To construct a spatial genetic database of Oncomelania hupensis and a managing system for spatial distribution and population studies based on landscape genetics theory. Methods The uninfected Oncomelania snails were collected from the field. Collected sites database, specimen database and genetic information database were set up by using Microsoft SQL 2000, and the managing system was set up by using Visual Basic 6.0. Results The Oncomelania snails were collected from the field. The database were consummated with 676 specimens, 73 collected sites from 10 provinces, and the database could be used as a series of celerity tools with appending, querying, deleting, statistics and export functions. Conclusion The spatial genetic database and managing system of Oncomelania hupensis can be used to manage snail specimens for different studies with a clear interface and simple operation. It is worthy to renew the database for further spatial genetic studies.

Objective To sequence and analyze the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Oncomelania hupensis. Methods Four long fragments were amplified by long PCR using the primers designed based on mtDNA-COⅠ, Cytb, 16S rRNA and COⅢ gene sequences, and sequenced by conserved primer-walking. Rusults The mitochondrial genome (GenBank accession no. FJ997214) was a circular molecule of 15 182 bp with a total A+T content of 67.32%, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and an A+T-rich region of 72 bp. All 13 protein-coding genes of the O. hupensis mtDNA used ATG as start codon. Canonical TAA and TAG termination codons were found in 12 protein-coding genes, and the remaining one (ND1) had an incomplete termination codon (T). Two short gene overlaps were found with a length of 4 bp and 7 bp, respectively. The length of 21 total intergenic region of mtDNA was 145 bp ranging from 1-30 bp. A total of 22 transferring RNA were found, all of which were typical cloverleaf structure except for two tRNASer, one tRNAGln and one tRNAIle. Conclusion The complete sequence of O. hupensis mitochondrial genome has been determined.

BACKGROUND: Disuse osteoporosis is bone mass loss caused by muscular inactivity and reduced weight bearing. OBJECTIVE: To observe bone structure and mineral matter content as well as bone biomechanicai performance change at different time points during the development of disuse osteoporosis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The present randomized, controlled, and self-controlled animal experimental was performed in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between September and November 2003. MATERIALS: A total of 55 male Japanese rabbits, aged 8 months, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg were enrolled for this study. METHODS: The right hind limbs of 50 randomly selected rabbits were immobilized by cast (experimental sides). The corresponding left hind limbs were untouched (control sides). The remaining 5 rabbits were raised for 3 months, and their bilateral hind limbs were used for controls. Ten rabbits were sacrificed by intravenous injection of air at each time point (2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after immobilization). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mechanical test was performed on bilateral tibiofibula for determination of calcium content. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining of bilateral metatarsal bones were performed for histological observation. RESULTS: There was significant difference in indices of tibiofibula on the experimental sides, including maximum loading, elastic modulus, and calcium content among different time points, while significant difference also existed between the experimental side and the blank controls (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in above-mentioned indices between the control side and blank controls as well as between control sides (P＞0.05). The experimental side limbs exhibited thinned cortical bone, increased pores, sparse and fine trabecular bone with several fragmentations, expanded medullary cavity, and increased osteoblasts. Masson staining results demonstrated that with disuse time going, collagen was decreasingly formed. The control side and blank control limbs showed thickened metatarsal bone and cortical bone, a few pores, and compactly arranged trabecular bone with normal structure. CONCLUSION: During the development of disuse osteoporosis, calcium content and the entire biomechanical performance are gradually and slowly decreased to accommodate the stress environment and functional status.

Objective To evaluate the expression of WWOX gene in breast cancer and its relation to hypermethylation of WWOX gene CpG island. Methods The expression of WWOX protein was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in breast cancer cell line and breast cancer tissues.Methylation specific PCR(MSP)was used to check whether it Was methylated in the promoter and exon 1 of WWOX.Results Deletion in the WWOX expression was observed more frequently in invasive breast tumors,(32.2%)than normal breasttissues(5.4%)(P＜0.01).20.3% of premenopause eases were completely negative for WWOX expression compared to 57.2% of postmenopause breast carcinomas(P＜0.01).Furthermore,23.1% of Stage Ⅰ(6/26),28.6%of Stage Ⅱ(10/35),46.2%of Stage Ⅲ(12/26)tunlors showed negative WWOX protein expression.In breast cancer specimens.methylation rate of promoter and exon 1 CpG island of WWOX gene was 55%and 45%respectively.Whereas.WWOX CpG islands of normal mammary tissues were completely unmethylated in all cases.CpG islands of WWOX promoter and exon 1 were methylated in MDA-MB-231 cell line but not MCF-7 cell.Conclusions Some deletion in WWOX expression is common in breast cancer and methylation of WWOX DNA CpG islands plays a crucial role in the silence of WWOX.WWOX may play a role in the carcinogenesis and development of breast cancer.

Objective To isolate the microsatellite DNA sequences of Oncomelania hupensis and analyze the polymorphic microsatellite loci.Methods The digested genomic fragments were hybridized with biotinylated oligonucleotide probes.The target fragments moleculars were captured and enriched.Then these fragments were cloned and sequenced.The suitable microsatellite loci were chosen and the polymorphism was screened by PAGE gel electrophoresis.Results A total of 205 microsateilite DNA sequences were obtained (GenBank accession numbers :GU204044～GU204248).The percentage of perfect microsatellite DNA sequence was 36.10% (74/205),with imperfect sequence as 49.76% (102/205) and compound sequence as 14.15% (29/205).Twenty typical microsatellite sequences were selected to design amplifying primers,and 13 microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphism.Conclusion A total of 205 microsatellite DNA sequences of Oncomelania hupensis are isolated and first reported,which will be useful for population genetic and mapping studies of Oncomelania hupensis.

Objective To evaluate the differences among five representative and useful Doppler parameters in the diagnosis of the three common types of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Methods Five Doppler parameters including renal peak systolic velocity (RPSV), renal-aortic ratio (RAR), renal-interlobar ratio (RIR),acceleration time (AT),and resistant index (RI) were measured in 221 patients before renal arteriography. Differences between the groups of patients with various clinical causes of RAS were analyzed by Chi-Squared test. One-way ANOVA or t test were used to compare the means between different groups.The optimal cutoff value was determined with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. Results Of the 442 renal arteries (main and accessory renal arteries) demonstrated at arteriography,214 were normal or stenosed less than 50 %, 204 stenoses 50% - 99 %, and 24 occlusions. RIR, RAR and RI were significantly different between the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic RAS groups (P ＜0.05), while RPSV and AT were not. The optimal cutoff values of RAR,RIR and RI for detecting RAS between the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic groups were much different (2.5 versus 1.9, 5. 1 versus 6.5, 0.57 versus 0.50,respectively) ,but those of RPSV and AT were similar or the same (170 cm/s versus 200 cm/s,51 ms versus 51 ms,respectively). Conclusions In the case of RAS (diameter reduction≥50%),it is advised to establish separate cutoff values of RAR, RIR and RI according to atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic RAS, but the same cutoff value of RPSV and AT can be applied. RIR is a good Doppler parameter in the diagnosis of RAS,especially atherosclerotic and fibromuscular dysplasia RAS.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic capability of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS).MethodsThe prenatal sonographic characteristics of 5 fetuses with FADS were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsBoth multiple joint contractures and central nervous system (CNS) anomalies,which include 5 small head circumferences,2 short cerebellar diameters,and 1 flat forehead,were found by prenatal ultrasound in all 5 FADS fetuses.Additional fetal abnormalities such as micrognathia,polyhydramnios,short umbilical cord and intrauterine growth retardation were also observed.The results of fetal chromosome analysis were available in 2 cases indicating normal karyotype.Conclusions Prenatal identification and diagnosis of FADS is possible based on the findings of sonographic examination.