Ricin is a plant toxin isolated from the seed of the castor plant(Ricinus communis). As a typical II ribosome inactivating protein,ricin consists of two polypeptide chains named ricin toxin A chain(RTA)and ricin toxin B chain(RTB),linked via a disulfide bridge. RTB binds to both glycopro?tein and glycolipid at the surface of the target cell and mediates ricin to be endocytosed and transported retro?gradely to the endoplasmic reticulum. After being reduced and retrotranslocated to the cytosol,RTA mediates its toxicity due to its activity of a RNA N- glycosidases. Aside from its main toxic effect of protein synthesis inhibition,ricin also displays other properties that contribute to its toxicity such as inducing apoptosis,cytokine secreting and peroxidation. Ricin is stable and can be easily isolated. It has many routes of intoxication with no specific antidotes. Due to its natural abundance,remarkable toxicity,and the potential to be used in biological warfare as well as terrorist attacks,ricin has been classified as a Category B biothreat agent. Here we reviewed its history as a biothreat agent,constitu?tion,intoxication mechanism,detection methods and the development of specific antitodes.

In the present study carried out in our laboratory, we recorded local field potential (LFP) signals in primary visual cortex (V1 area) of rats during the anesthesia process in the electrophysiological experiments of invasive microelectrode array implant, and obtained time evolutions of complexity measure Lempel-ziv complexity (LZC) by nonlinear dynamic analysis method. Combined with judgment criterion of tail flick latency to thermal stimulus and heart rate, the visual stimulation experiments are carried out to verify the reliability of anesthetized states by complexity analysis. The experimental results demonstrated that the time varying complexity measures LZC of LFP signals of different channels were similar to each other in the anesthesia process. In the same anesthesia state, the difference of complexity measure LZC between neuronal responses before and after visual stimulation was not significant. However, the complexity LZC in different anesthesia depths had statistical significances. Furthermore, complexity threshold value represented the depth of anesthesia was determined using optimization method. The reliability and accuracy of monitoring the depth of anesthesia using complexity measure LZC of LFP were all high. It provided an effective method of realtime monitoring depth of anesthesia for craniotomy patients in clinical operation.
Anesthesia ; methods ; Animals ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Microelectrodes ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Photic Stimulation ; Rats ; Reproducibility of Results ; Visual Cortex ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the association of transforming growth factor (TGF) gene rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073 (TGF1+869T/C) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with susceptibility of lung cancer. Methods The case group consisted of 193 histologically diagnosed lung cancer patients, and control group of 211 controls were selected from cancer-free patients at the same time. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073(TGF1+869T/C) were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. The demographic characteristics, correlated risk factors of exposure and SNP between 2 groups were compared. Results The genotype distribution frequency of TGF1+869T/C and TGF1-509C/T in control group was accorded with Hardy-Weinberg law (P>0.05). The TT, TC and CC genotype distribution frequency in TGF1+869T/C in case group were 16.1%(31/193), 55.4%(107/193) and 28.5%(55/193), while these in control group were 22.3% (47/211), 50.2% (106/211) and 27.5% (58/211), and there were no statistical differences (P>0.05). The TT, TC and CC genotype distribution frequency in TGF1-509C/T in case group were 28.0%(54/193), 56.0%(108/193) and 16.1%(31/193), while these in control group were 27.0% (57/211), 51.2% (108/211) and 21.8% (46/211), and there were no statistical differences (P>0.05). The allele in rs1800469 (TGF1-509C/T) and rs1982073 (TGF1+869T/C) showed no association with lung cancer (P>0.05). Conclusions TGF gene SNP may not be associated with susceptibility to lung cancer in Han Chinese in North China.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Tiaojing zhuyun capsules on the number of blastocyst implantation,estrogen, progestogen and their receptors(ER,PR)in mice with implantation dysfunction. METHODS:48 pregnant mice were randomly di-vided into normal control group (normal saline),pathological model group (normal saline) and Tiaojing zhuyun capsules group (24 g/kg),with 16 mice in each group. They were given relevant medicine intragastrically,once a day,for consecutive 3 d. On the 4th day,those mice were given mifepristone 0.1 ml subcutaneously to induce implantation dysfunction model except for normal control group. On the 5th day,the mice were sacrificed. The number of blastocyst implantation sites was observed. The serum lev-els of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were determined by radioimmunoassay,and the expression of ER and PR protein were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:On the 5th day of pregnancy,the number of embryo implantation sites,serum levels of E2 and P and the protein expression of ER and PR in pathological model group were significantly lower than in normal con-trol group(P<0.05);the number of embryo implantation sites,levels of E2 and P,the protein expression of ER and PR in Tiao-jing zhuyun capsules group were significantly higher than in pathological model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Tiaojing zhuyun capsules can effectively improve the serum levels of E2 and P,the protein expression of ER and PR,and increase the num-ber of blastocyst implantation sites in mice.

Objective To analyze the cognition and demand of the residency training program among clinical medical students to provide scientific basis for the promotion of this policy.Methods From May 24 to 25,2015,a self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted on 645 undergraduate clinical medical students,who came from Zhengzhou University,Xinxiang Medicine College,Henan University.Data of cognition and demand of the residency standardized training were statistically analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software.Enumeration data were analyzed by chi-square test and abnormal distribution data based on Wilcoxon rank sum test.Results 616 valid questionnaires were recovered.259 undergraduate clinical medical students (42.00％) did not quite understand the resident standardized training policy and 225 (36.50％) did not known the policy at all.Before and after clinical practice,the cognition of the residency standardized training had statistically significant difference (x2=87.596,P=0.000),the knowledge of the policy (x2=10.939,P=0.012) and the degree ascending alleviate employment pressure (x2=29.349,P=0.000) were the main influencing factors of the clinical medical students' choices after graduation.Conclusion Improving medical students' understanding of the significance of medical education after graduation,and the integration of professional degree training and residency standardization training effectively helps to promote implementation of the policy.

To evaluate the differences of Ophiopogonjaponicus from different cultivations, the metabolomics based method was conducted to compare the effects of Hangmaidong and Chuanmaidong (Chinese name) on plasma endogenous metabolites of normal rats. Data were collected by ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), and were analyzed by multivariate statistical method, such as Principal Component Analysis and Orthogonal Signal Correction Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis. Results revealed that the plasma metabolites profiling of low and middle dose group of Chuanmaidong were similar to the control group, but different from the high dose group obviously. Meanwhile the high, middle and low dose groups of Hangmaidong were different from control group notably, and the difference is dose dependent. Lysophosphatidylcholines, the possible endogenous metabolites which contribute to the classification most significantly, are closely related to cardiovascular system diseases. Compared with the group of Chuanmaidong, Hangmaidong has greater impact on the plasma metabolic profiling of normal rats. Hangmaidong and Chuanmaidong showed significant differences pharmacodynamically.

Objective To investigate the relationship between genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms of ligase Ⅳ (LIG4) and heat shock protein B1 (HSPB1) and prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinomas.Methods DNAs were extracted by phenol-chlorofrom method from peripheral blood samples of 168 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms were divided by Taqman realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR).All statistical analyses were performed with statistical product and service solutions v13.0.A p-value of less than 0.05 was confirmed as statistical significance.Single-factor and multiple-factor logistic analyses were used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI).Long-rank test and COX were also used.Results No relationship was found between the recurrence,metastasis and overall survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms of LIG4 and HSPB1 with single-factor and multiple-factor logistic analyses.Conclusions LIG4 rs1805388 and HSPB1 rs2868371 had no relationship with prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

Objective To observe the effect of autophagy on paclitaxel-induced CaSki cell death through the regulation of the expression of autophagy gene Beclin1, and to explore the interaction and relationship between autophagy and apoptosis. Methods Eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-Beclin1 and RNA interference vector pSUPER-Beclin1 were transfected into human cervical cancer CaSki cells in vitro and screened for stable expression cell lines. The formation of autophagic vacuoles was observed with an electronic microscope. The expression of Beclin1 and LC3 was measured by Western blot. After being treated with paclitaxel, the change of cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, the percentage of apoptotic cells and autophagic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results A lot of autophagic vacuoles were observed in pcDNA3.1-Beclin1 cells by electronic microscopy. Beclin1 and LC3 protein expression was up-regulated in CaSki cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-Beclin1, and was inhibited in cells transfected with pSUPER-Beclin1. MTT assay revealed the survival rate of CaSki cells was significantly decreased after being transfected with pcDNA3.1-Beclin1. After being treated with paclitaxel, the percentages of apoptotic cells and autophagic cells were both increased in pcDNA3.1-Beclin1 group compared with that of the blank control group especially the increase of apoptosis was particularly evident. Conclusion Autophagy and apoptosis have different roles in the process of paclitaxel-induced cervical cancer CaSki cell line death. Overexpression of Beclin1 in CaSki cells may enhance the apoptosis induced by paclitaxel.

Objective To investigate the relationship between hyperhomocysteinaemia and unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Methods Selected 159 patients with senile hypertension combined with angina pectoris from April 2013 to April 2014, 78 cases of hyperhomocysteinaemia patients as observation group, 81 cases of simple hypertension patients as control group. All of the patients were performed coronary angiography examination, using the Gensini score method calculated the integral of the coronary lesions (CAS). Detected the level of the serum homocysteine (Hcy), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood lipid levels. Results The gender, age, the levels of FBG and lipid in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). The incidence of UAP,CAS and hs-CRP in observation group were 44.9%(35/78), (44.34±10.67) scores,(4.31±1.01)μg/L, in control group were14.8%(12/81), (30.24±8.76) scores, (2.13±0.95)μg/L. The incidence of UAP, CAS and hs-CRP in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group ( P<0.05). The levels of serum Hcy,TC,TG,LDL-C, hs-CRP, HDL-C in UAP patients of observation group and control group were (23.21 ± 7.35) and (8.86 ±2.43) μmol/L, (6.54 ±0.75) and (6.67 ±0.82) mmol/L, (1.84 ±0.95) and (1.62 ±0.83) mmol/L, (4.65±0.78) and (4.42±0.72)mmol/L,(5.15±1.24) and(3.21±1.15) mg/L, (1.02±0.32) and(1.01±0.35) mmol/L. The levels of serum Hcy,TC,TG,LDL-C, hs-CRP, HDL-C in SAP patients of observation group and control group were (12.54±4.37) and (6.52±1.36)μmol/L, (4.23±0.54) and (4.43±0.57) mmol/L, (1.45 ±0.76) and (1.25 ±0.68) mmol/L, (2.67 ±0.45) and (2.43 ±0.43) mmol/L, (3.02 ±1.13) and (1.52±0.98) mg/L, (1.24±0.36) and (1.26±0.34) mmol/L.There were significant differences (P<0.05). Multi-factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the senile H-type hypertension was independent risk factor of UAP (OR=4.324, 95%CI 2.463-6.874, P=0.001). Conclusions The levels of serum Hcy is closely related to the stability of the coronary artery atheromatous plaque and lesion severity of coronary artery. The senile H-type hypertension is independent risk factor of UAP.

Craniofacial malformation was related to the shape and structure of the teeth, jaws and face. Assessment of craniofacial complex in three-dimensional (3D) has long been a focus for many researchers. At present, 3D imaging techniques could reconstruct the craniofacial soft tissue or hard tissue successfully. However, they couldn't reflect the comprehensive structure of craniofacial complex. For the study of the craniofacial complex, combination of 3D imaging techniques provides a promising way toward optimum 3D imaging. The purpose of this study was to reconstruct the 3D images of craniofacial hard and soft tissue based on cephalograms and laser scanning, to found the 3D measurement and orthognathic simulation and forecast system, which may provide a new method for analyzing of craniofacial malformation, and for the quantity control and evaluation of treatment results in the orthodontic treatment, orthopedics and plastic operation.
Face ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lasers ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed