According to the modulation of three-gorge-reservoir water level, the two observation spots were established at Gaoyang Town and Jianshe Village in Xingshan County of Hubei Province in order to observe the survival and reproduction of the oncomelania under different ecological conditions. Our one-year observation revealed that most settled oncomelania died between June and August in the year and only a few of them survived the winter. The oncomelania hupensis’s survival rate in group I,II,III settled in Gaoyang Town was 10 %, 1 %, 0 %, respectively, and the oncomelania Sichuan’s 12. 5 %, 22. 5 %, 13. 5 %. The rates obtained from spots in Jianshe Village is 0 %, 2 %, 0 % and 9. 5 %, 19 %, 3 %, respectively. The survival rate of oncomelania Sichuan was higher than that of the oncomelania hupensis in the two spots. After draining the feeding pools, the soil samples were harvested and used for egg-hatching. The numbers of eggs that hatched in group 1, II in Gaoyang were 1 and 2, respectively. The young oncomelania were found in each spot pool after the drainage, suggesting that the local condition is favorable to the oncomelania and the mating season of each group oncomelania is from April to August with the most active mating time being from May to June.

The total saponins extracted from the plant root ofPhytolacca Esculenta Van Houtte were studied for its mulloscacidal effect. The results showed the death rate of oncomelania was 95. 6 % under the concentration of 125 mg/L of saponins, at 28 C with action time being 24 h.

A full-length cDNA of the function domain of wild-type chicken gizzard calponin was cloned into expression vector pAED₄ and the recombinant function domain of wild-type calponin was expressed in anEscherichia coli expression system. The actin domain of calponin (CaP-B) can bind with actin and it is a requisite for its inhibition of ATPase and vasoconstriction of smooth muscle. In this study, the cDNA of CaP-B was inserted into vector pAED₄ by direction-cloning method. The cDNA of CaP-B was obtained with PCR cloning technique. The recombinant DNA pAED₄-Cap-B was transformed intoE. coli BL21(DE3) and identified with the restriction analysis. The bacterial clones containing transformants were induced to be highly expressed inE. coli BL21(DE3). The target protein was detected and identified by Western Blot analysis. The content of target protein was as high as 10 % of the whole protein after overnight (16 h) culture. The results confirmed that Cap-B was relatively highly expressed inE. coli.

The model of chronic renal failure (CRF) was made in 5/6 nephrectomized rats and Huangdan capsule was used to treat these rats. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in plasma were examined. The results showed that Huangdan capsule could postpone the increase in the levels of cGMP and ANP, suggesting that by regulating the water and sodium metabolism, Huangdan capsule could ameliorate the glomerular filtration rate, and that Huangdan capsule could lower the levels of cGMP and ANP in plasma via body regulation.

The model of hypertensive rat was established by using the method of abdominal aortic constriction. 33 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (sham-operated rats serving as controls), group B (hypertensive rats serving as controls), group C (hypertensive rats subjected to low-dose perindopril treatment, 0. 1 mg· kg^t-1d) and group D (hypertensive rats receiving high-dose perindopril treatment, 1. 5 mg· kg^t-1d). The drug was administered by gavage for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, mean arterious pressure (MAP) was measured via catheter in the carotid artery. The heart was taken and weighed to calculate the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/ BW). The ratio of medial mean thickness to mean diameter of lumen of aorta and superior mesenteric artery was calculated by morphometry. Concentration of angiotensin II (A II) in plasma and in aortic wall were determined by radioimmunoassay (PA II, AA II. Our results showed that both high-dose and low-dose perindopril may prevent hypertrophy of left ventricle and hypertrophy of the tunica media of superior mesenteric artery. In addition, high-dose perindopril may significantly inhibit hypertrophy of aortic media. The above effects of perindopril may be explained by inhibition on tissue renin-angiotensin system of both vascular wall and heart, but is not related to circulating A II (PA II).

To study the role of myocardium β-adrenoceptors pathway in ventricular remodeling of heart failure patients, β-adrenegic receptor density (B_max) and the content of cAMP were measured in the papillae of left ventricle and blood lymphocyte of 20 patients suffered from heart failure (CHF) (NYHZ classification II to III) B_max were investigated using³H-dihydroalpheolol as ligand. cAMP were assessed by competitive immunoassay. Left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were measured using echocardiogram. The results showed that the B_max and cAMP in failing myocardium significantly negatively correlated with LVMI (r=−0. 77,P < 0.01 andr=−0.46P < 0.05 respectively); the B_max of myocardium and blood lymphocyte in CHF patients with NYHA I (63 ± 12 fmol/mgpro and 514±115 fmol/10⁷ cell) significantly lowered than that of NYHA I. patients (94±20 fmol/mgpro and 702 ±138 fmol/10⁷ cell); and the B_max of myocardium and blood lymphocyte in patients with abnormal LVMI (62±12 fmol/mgpro and 516±122 fmol/10⁷ cell) decreased more significantly than that with normal LVMI patients; even in nromal LVMI patients (92±21 fmol/mgpro and 682±146 fmol/10⁷ cell), the B_max of blood lymphocyte was already decreased (P < 0.01), when comparing with controls. The intralymphocyte cAMP content sygnificantly decreased than that of controls (P < 0.05). These results indicated that B_max could reflect the severity of ventricle remodeling and the impairment of myocardium. The regulation of myocardium intracellular messenger transduction was earlier than the pathologic structural change of LV remodeling.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) combined with hypertriglyceridemia in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients on prostaglandin I₂(PGI₂) biological activity in relation to lipid regulating treatment. The inhibitory rate of PGI₂ on ADP-induced platelet aggregation was used as the index for PGI₂ biological activity. Twenty health individuals served as normal controls. CAD group consisted of 20 patients with low HDL combined with hypertriglyceridemia. The results showed that, before the treatment, the stabilizing effect on PGI₂ activity decreased significantly in CAD group when compared with the control group (P <0.01). One month after the treatment, HDL level in CAD group increased significantly and TG level significantly decreased (P <0.001). The different effect on PGI₂ activity was no longer found between CAD group and control group (P > 0. 05), further confirming the protecting effect of HDL on PGI₂ biological activity. Low HDL is considered as an important risk factor of CAD, therefore, impaired PGI₂ biological activity and increased platelet aggregation might be responsible mechanisms. Furthermore, raising HDL level by lipid regulating treatment could restore the protective effect of HDL on PGI₂ and might be helpful in the prevention of the acute coronary syndrome.

By ligating the proximate left anterior descend (LAD) of coronary artery and inducing the ventricular fibrillation with electrical stimulation, the preventive effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on ventricular fibrillation were observed. The results showed that the ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) of rats with acute ischemic myocardium was raised after acupuncturing some acupoints, which could prevent the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation. Furthermore, the combination of EA and propranolol could enhance the VFT effectively, and they showed a good synergistic effect.

The regulating effects of protein kinase C (PKC) on the tone of guinea-pig trachea and human lobus bronchi were investigated by measuring the tone of isolated tracheal and bronchial strips. The effects of PKC on the tone of guinea-pig tracheal and human lobus bronchi were observed and compared. The results showed that: (1) PKC activator PMA induced concentration-dependent relaxation in guinea-pig isolated trachea strips. This relaxation was completely ablated by the pretreatment with 5 × 10^t-6mol/L Ro31-8220 which is a PKC-specific inhibitor, but was not affected by the removal of epithelium (EP), or by the pretreatment with propranolol (β-receptor blocker) or atropin (M-receptor blocker); (2) PMA led to concentration-dependent contraction in human lobus bronchi. This contractile response was completely depressed by the pretreatment with 5 × 10^t-6 mol/L Ro31-8220 and was partly inhibited by 1 × 10^t-5 mol/L isoptin (Ca²⁺-antagonist). but was not significantly affected by propranolol or atropin. It is concluded that PKC is involved in the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone. The regulating effects may vary in different animals.

To investigate the effects of aprotinin on red cell (RC) immune function in the patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 20 patients who received valve replacement procedure were prospectively studied. The patients were randomly assigned to aprotinin group and control group. Red blood cell C₃b receptor ratio (RC₃bRR), red blood cell immune-component ratio (RICR), plasma C₃, C₄, CH₅₀ and IgG level were determined before operation, at the end of CPB and 1st, 3rd. 7th postoperative days. Our results showed that: (1) The blood requirement was reduced in aprotinin group. (2) After bypass, plasma C₃, C₄, CH₅₀ was maintained in aprotinin group, while they declined in control group. (3) Plasma level IgG fell in both groups, but at 7th postoperative day it recovered in aprotinin group while the level stayed at low level in control group. (4)The RC₃bRR and RICR was mildly inhibited in aprotinin group. It is concluded that the impairment of RC immune function caused by CPB can be mitigated by aprotinin, which may be related to the effects of aprotinin in blood sparing, restriction of complement activation, and reduction of blood requirement which could mitigate the non-specific inflammatory reaction.

The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax (Bcl-2/Bax) in 40 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AMD were determined. At the same time, the CFU-L of AML patients and drug resistance were detected by cell culture and MTT assay. The results showed that Bcl-2/Bax in AML was significantly higher than that in normal control (P<0.001). Bcl-2/Bax ratio in colony growth group was higher than that in no-growth group (P <0. 05). Between drug resistance group and drug sensitivity group there was a significant difference in Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P <0. 05). There were more cases of drug resistance in high ratio group (H) than in low ratio group (L) (P <0.05). Meanwhile, Complete Remission (CR) rate in group H was obviously lower than that in group L (P <0.05) and patients in group H tended to have poor response. The above results indicated that the alteration of Bcl-2 and Bax is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis, progress and the development of drug resistance in AML. The determination of Bcl-2/Bax ratio has far-reaching implication in the treatment, choice of chemotherapeutic agents, and prediction of prognosis.

Male rats at six weeks of age were divided into 5 groups at random: in group 1, the rats with diabetes received 70 % pancreatectomy; group II had sham-operation serving as controls; diabetic rats in group III were treated with phloridzin; In group IV rats received sham-operation and phloridzin treatment and group V were phloridzin-treated diabetic rats to be studied after discontinuance of phloridzin. 70 days after surgery, the weights and insulin contents of operated remnant pancreas were markedly higher than the expected value of 30 %, reaching 44 % (48. 2 %±15. 2 %), demonstrating that the remnant pancreas still had capacities of compensatory regeneration and proliferation capacities. Phloridzintreated diabetic rats completely returned to normal in terms of oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Discontinuation of phloridzin treatment in diabetic rats resulted in the recurrence of insulin resistance. These results suggested that normalization of hyperglycemia could ameliorate insulin resistance under diabetic conditions.

To explore a new way of utilizing intervential treatment to effectively decrease the portal hypertension, the animal models of liver cirrhosis accompanying portal hypertension were set up by intraportal vein injection of suspensions of Bletilla striata to10 rabbits by means of prospective investigational method. The catheter filled with heparin solution was remained in theportal vein for infusion of drugs. Three weeks later, DDPH solution was injected into the portal vein via the catheter to determine its effect of decreasing portal vein pressure and its influence of peripheral blood pressure and heart rate. At the same time, other10 rabbits with liver cirrhosis associated with portal hypertension were subjected to the injection of DDPH solution via the ear vein served as control group. The results showed that administration of DDPH by portal vein could rapidly, safely and effectively decrease the portal hypertenive pressure without side effects and partially reverse liver cirrhosis, as compared with injection of DDPH via peripheral veins. It was concluded that DDPH exerted its α₁-adrenoceptor blocking and calcium antagonistic effects, thereby significantly reduce the portal hypertension. Injection of DDPH via portal vein is a completely new and relaible method for the treatment of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

The establishment of an animal model of reversible chronic partial obstruction hydronephrosis was reported. The continuous ultrasonographic and pathological investigation demonstrated that this model fulfilled all the requirements, especially the reversibility. The technique is a relatively simple and reliable method.

The present study was designed to prospectively investigated the prostaglandin (PG) levels and extent of peritumoral edema in 30 cases of glioma by using methods of radioimmunoassay and imaging. Both TXB₂ and 6-keto-PGF₁₀ levels in all glioma groups went up over that in the control group. TXB₂ level and ratio of TXB₂/6-keto-PGF₁₀ were markedly increased with the extent of tumor malignancy. Water concentration in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma were significantly elevated. Difference in TXB₂ level and TXB₂/6-keto-PGF₁₀ ratio among three edema grades were statistically significant. TXB₂ level and ratio of TXB₂/6-keto-PGF₁₀ were closely correlated with water concentration (r₁ = 0. 53, r₂ = 0. 72,P <0. 01). Our findings suggested that the metabolism of PG in glioma were in the state of disorder, and that the imbalance between PGI₂ and TXA₂ may be one of factors which affect the formation of peritumoral edema.

To investigate to what extent the growth of cultured subconjunctival fibroblasts was regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). we observed the expression of EGFR inhibited by interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) and determined the growth of cultured subconjunctival fibroblasts by immunohistochemical and MTT methods. The linear relationships between the concentration of IFN α-2b and EGFR expression or growth were y=1252. 7- 554. 61 lgx (r = - 0. 98,P <0.01), y = 0.523−0.0421 lgx (r=−0.93,P <0.05) respectively. The concentration of IFN α-2b at doubled IC₅₀ to EGFR (6. 55 × 10³ IU/ml) only inhibited the cell growth by 25. 13%. The results suggested that the growth of subconjunctival fibroblasts may be controlled by many other growth factors because it was only partially inhibited by decreasing EGFR expression.

To understand the effect of endothelin (ET) on the mesangium and matrix proliferation on the basis of hyperlipidemia, the model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MSPGN) was established by intravenously giving calf serum albumin (250 mg/L) to the rabbits fed on feed containing 1 % cholesterol for 4– 8 weeks. Our results showed that in the 4th week of the experiment, the ET level in experiment group was significantly higher than that of normal controls (P <0.01) and the pathological examination revealed development of MSPGN. In the 8th week of the experiment, the ET level was further elevated and pathological study demonstrated local glomerular sclerosis and infiltration of lymphocytes of interstitia. We are led to conclude that ET. as a newly identified hormon, is involved in the pathogenesis and development of MSPGN and acts as an important regulator in the proliferation of mesangium and accumulation of matrix of basal membrane.

The levels of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) of 36 patients with ovarian cancer, 34 with benign gynecological tumors and 31 blood donors were measured by ELISA. Compared to those of benign and normal controls, serum levels of sIL-2R in patients with ovarian cancer elevated significantly (P <0.01). Serum sIL-2R levels were likely related to types, clinical stage or histological grading of ovarian cancer. We were led to conclude that serum sIL-2R level may reflect the status of the immune system and the disease severity in patients with ovarian cancer. Its value as a marker for monitoring treatment and prognosis needs further studies.

Before and after general irradiation with⁶⁰Co-γ, mice were orally given Sheng Bai Solution (SBS) for one week. SBS alleviated the irradiation-induced reduction of bone marrow cell chromosome division index. The irradiationinduced decrease of marrow DNA amount, thymic and splenic fractions, and total leukocyte number were restored to some extent. SBS also helped to ameliorate general condition of patients.