Using PCR technique, the vp3 gene of chicken anemia virus (CAV) was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 to construct a recombinant pcDNA-vp3. Restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing analysis revealed that CAV vp3 gene was correctly inserted into the blank vector pcDNA3. After LipofectAMINE^TM-mediated transfectionin vitro with pcDNA-vp3 and pcDNA3 respectively, the total mRNA was extracted from liver carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and diploid cell line L-02, and RT-PCR was performed afterward. The results of RT-PCR suggested that vp3 gene was expressed in these two cell lines. At the same time, usingin situ apoptotic detection assay, TUNEL kits, the apoptotic cells were found in pcDNA-vp3 transfected HepG2, but not in mock transfected cell lines. VP3 could induce cell death by apoptosis in cancer cell lines, but not in diploid cell lines. All the results indicated that CAV vp3 gene, a potential therapeutic agents, has the potential of being used for cancer treatment.

In situ hybridization and immunocytochemical techniques were employed to examine the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and to identify the pattern of its distribution in rat pancreas. The results indicated that the signal of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-1 positive immunoreaction were detected in some fiberoblasts around interlobular ducts and exocrine cell in margin acinus of some lobules, but the signal of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-1 positive immunoreaction could not be detected in most of other acinus and islets of pancreas. It is concluded that the expression of MMP-1 in above cells of rat might play an important role in acinar proliferation and differentiation of rat pancreatic tissues.

This study investigated the feasibility of using an hammerhead ribozyme against C II TA, a major regulator of MHC II antigens, to repress the expression of MHC II molecules on Hela cells. A hammerhead ribozyme (Rz464) specific to 463–465 GUC triplet of C II TA and its target gene were transcribed, then mixed up and incubatedin vitro. The cleavage products were analyzed by PAGE and silver-staining. Rz464 was then inserted into the pIRES2-EGFP vector (pRz464). Stable transfectants of Hela with pRz464 were tested for class II MHC induction by recombinant human interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). mRNA of C II TA was measured by RT-PCR. Our results showed that Rz464 could exclusively cleave C II TA RNA. When induced with IFN-γ, the expression of HLA-DR,-DP,-DQ on pRz464⁺ Hela was induced, and the mRNA content of C II TA decreased too. It is concluded that Rz464 could inhibit C II TA and thus the family of genes was regulated by C II TA: MHC II molecules. These results provided insight into the future application of Rz464 as a new nucleic acid drug against auto-immune diseases.

To compare the effects of polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of bacillus calmette guerin (BCG-PSN) and thymopeptides on T-lymphocytes of normal and immunosuppressed mice, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte subsets of single nucleic cell in thymus, spleen and peripheral blood were detected successively by flow cytometry after application of BCG-PSN and thymopeptides. Meanwhile, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was also calculated. The results showed that both BCG-PSN and thymopeptides could decrease the proportion of CD4⁺ CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte subsets in the thymus, at the same time increase CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte, CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte proportion in the three tissues. The fluctuation in amplitude was greater in thymopeptides group than that in BCG-PSN group. It is concluded that acting location of thymopeptides is in thymus, its stimulating action is stronger than that of BCG-PSN, while BCG-PSN not only accelerates the differentiation in thymus, but also has some direct stimulation to peripheral CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes, and can maintain CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio within normal range. So, BCG-PSN is safer.

To investigate the value of apoptosis of the allo-antigen specific T cells induced by Fas/FasL pathway in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the CD34⁺ cells transfected with FasL or not, used as stimulus cells, were mixed with allo-antigen specific T lymphocytes in presence or absence of IFN-γ and IL-2. After 5 days, apoptosis of T cells was detected by TdT nick end mediated dUTP labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM). The affects of these two cytokines on CD34⁺ cells in the graft were also compared. The ratio of apoptosis of T cells was 12.1±1.5% when CD34⁺ cells transfected with FasL was used as stimulus cells, much higher than that of CD34⁺ cells non-transfected (3.2±1.1%,P<0.01). And in presence of IFN-γ or IL-2, the ratio reached 20.1±2.3%, 17.6±1.3% respectively (P<0.01). However, IFN-γ up-regulated Fas expression of CD34⁺ cells and increased the sensibility of CD34⁺ cells to soluble FasL(sFasL); IL-2 showed no such affect. It is possible to induce apoptosis of the allo-antigen specific T cells of grafts activated by allo-antigen by exogenous Fas ligand expressed on recipient cells and this might provide a new approach for preventing GVHD and IL-2 may be more suitable for clinical application.

To study the expression of the bFGF and its receptor in the mouse bone marrow by treatment with acute radioactive injury and Ligustrazine, 56 mice were divided into 3 groups: normal group, radiation-injured group and Ligustrazine group. After irradiation by 6.0 Gy⁶⁰Co γ-ray, each mouse was orally given 0.1 ml Ligustrazine twice a day for 13 days in Ligustrazine group, and each mouse in radiation injured group was orally given equal amount of saline. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNC) were counted, and the expression levels of bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis respectively. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, expression of bFGF in bone marrow were significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.05 orP<0.01). Expressions of bFGF and bFGFR were much higher in Ligustrazine treated group than that in the control group (P<0.05 orP<0.01). Ligustrazine potentiate the expression of bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow MNC to recover the bone marrow hematopoiesis inductive microenvironment, which is one of the mechanisms by which Ligustrazine rebuild the bone marrow hematopoiesis after acute radioactive injury.

To investigate the effect of costimulatory factors in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (CITP), we examined the expression of CD80 on platelets and megakaryocytes in patients with CITP and the controls by FACS. By using CD80 monoclonal antibody (McAb) to inhibit interaction among cells which is mediated by costimulatory factors, we observed the effect of CD80 McAb on the growth and maturation of megakaryocytic progenitors of patients with CITPin vitro. The results showed the expression of CD80 on platelets and megakaryocytes in CITP group was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.01). There was a significantly positive correlation between the expression of CD80 on platelets and serum PAIgG in CITP (r=0.86,P<0.05). The mean of various clone numbers (CFU-MK, BFU-MK and mCFU-MK) in CITP were all lower than those in controls (P<0.05). In megakaryocytes co-cultured with CD80 McAb, there was an increasing tendency of the number of CFU-MK and big CFU-MK (the number of megakaryocyte with GP III_a positive was more than 20) and mediate CFU-MK (the number megakaryocyte with GP III_a positive was 11–20). When the concentration of CD80 McAb was 10 μg/L, there was a significant difference in the number of megakaryocytic colony formation (CFU-MK, BFU-MK and mCFU-MK) between the group with CD80 McAb and that without it (P<0.05). These showed the abnormality of costimulatory factors had important effect in the pathogenesis of CITP.

We investigated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene and production of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in the rat lung tissue at different time points of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and the effect of hemin on the expression of HO-1 gene and pulmonary hypertension. A rat model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was recreated by exposure to intermittent normobaric hypoxic environment (10% O₂). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the level of HO-1 mRNA in the rat lung tissue and double wave length spectrophotometry was used to evaluate the quantity of COHb in arterial blood. Cardiac catheterization was employed to measure the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and HE staining was performed in dissected lung tissue to observe the pathological changes of the intra-acinar pulmonary arteries (IAPA). It was found that (1) There was a low level of HO-1 mRNA in normal rat lung tissue, but the level of HO-1 mRNA increased by 2–4 times in the lung tissue of hypoxic rats (P<0.01). The quantity of COHb was 2–3 times those of control group (P<0.01 orP<0.05). These were accompanied by the increased of RVSP and the thickened IAPA; (2) Hemin could keep the HO-1 mRNA and COHb in the hypoxic rat lung tissue at a high level, and partially suppressed the increase of rat RVSP, thereby ameliorating the pathological changes of IAPA. In conclusion, the upregulation of the expression of HO-1 gene and production of CO in the rat lung of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension plays a role of inhibition in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Hemin has a therapeutic effect on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

This paper was designed to investigate the expression of p53, p21 of A549 cell strains under hypoxic condition and the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), the inhibitor of histone deacetylasel (HDAC1) on their expression. The authors designed 1 normoxia group (control group) and 6 hypoxia groups (experiemntal group): hypoxia 6 h group (A), TSA + hypoxia 6 h (B), hypoxia 12 h group (C), hypoxia 24 h group (D), TSA+hypoxia 24 h (E) hypoxia 48 h group (F). The expression of HDAC1 in A549 cells was examined by using Western blot and the expression of p53, p21 in A549 cells and the effect of TSA on them were determined by using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The A value expressed by HDAC1 in A549 cell strains was 138±11 in the control group, 78±4, 86±5, 124±3, 120±9 in experimental groups A, C, D, F, respectively. The A value of the expression of the protein and mRNA of p53 in A549 cell strains were 0.12±0.02, 0.62±0.02 in the control group, 0.10±0.03, 0.32±0.03; 0.11±0.01, 0.33±0.02, 0.13±0.03, 0.58±0.01, 0.12±0.02, 0.56±0.02 in experimental group A, B, D, E, respectively. The A value of the expression of the protein and mRNA of p21 in A549 cell strains were 0.17±0.03, 0.62±0.03 in the control group, 0.16±0.02, 0.50±0.02; 0.14±0.02, 0.36±0.02; 0.15±0.03, 0.49±0.03; 0.13±0.02, 0.33±0.02 in experimental groups A, B, D, E, respectively. These results indicate that the expression of HDAC1 is regulated by hypoxia and the effect of TSA is closely related to the expression of P21 under hypoxia condition.

To study the expression of Angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) gene and its relationship with clinical pathological characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), expression of the Ang-2 mRNA was evaluated by employing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cancerous tissues and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues from 52 patients. The expression of Ang-2 gene was detected in a significantly greater proportion of cancerous tissues (80.8%) than paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (53.8%,P<0.01). No significant relationship was found between Ang-2 gene expression and patients’ age, sex, histology of tumors, differentiation and TNM stages (P>0.05). It is concluded that the up-regulation of Ang-2 gene may play a role in the pathway of NSCLC carcinogenesis and Ang-2 may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer.

In this study, the effect of prophylactic anti-inflammation on the development of smoke-induced emphysema was investigated. Young male guinea-pigs aged 1.5–2 months (weighing 198.3±26.9 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (cigarette smoke exposure only), group B (cigarette smoke exposure plus pentoxifylline-rich (PTX, 10 mg/d) forage feeding), group C (cigarette smoke exposure plus intermittent cortical steroid injection (Triamcinolone acetonide, 3 mg, im, every three weeks) and control group (group D: animals with sham smoke exposure, raised under the same conditions). Animals in group A, B and C were exposed to smoke of cigarettes for 1 to 1.5 h twice a day, 5 days a week. All animals were killed at the 16th week and followed by morphometrical analysis of the midsagittal sectioned lung slices. Smoke exposure of 16 weeks resulted in visible emphysematous development in Group A but not in Group B and C. It was evidenced by the indicator of air-space size, mean linear intercept (L_m): 120.6±16.0 μm in Group a: 89.8±9.2 μm in Group B and 102.4±17.7 μm in Group C. The average L_m in either group B or group C was shorter than that in Group A (ANOVA and Newman-Keuls test, F=8.80,P=0.0002) but comparable to that (94.8±13.2 μm) in group D (P>0.05). It is concluded that long-term prophylactic anti-inflammation inhibits pulmonary emphysema induced by cigarette smoking in the guinea pigs.

To evaluate the specific inhibition of antisense u-PAR on the u-PAR expressions in highly invasive cell subclones and to determine its blocking function in the invasion by those cells, a cDNA fragment of u-PAR obtained by RT-PCR was inserted into a plasmid vector named pcDNA3 in antisense orientation. Then the antisense u-PAR recombinant was transfected into highly invasive cell subclones. The u-PAR expression inneo-resistant cells was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay. Compared to the control cells, the content of mRNA and protein of u-PAR in transfected cells decreased sharply, and the rate of inhibition was 53% and 73%, respectively, indicating that an antisense u-PAR might have played a specific inhibitory role in its expression in the cells, which may provide a good cell model for making further investigation of the inhibitory effects of the antisense u-PAR on invasion in highly invasive cell subclones of human prostate carcinoma.

To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 in human prostate cancer, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 were immunohistochemically detected in tissues of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our results showed that matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 levels in prostate cancer were much higher than those in tissues of BPH, with the cancer invasion being positively correlated with the expression of the metalloproteinases. It is concluded that matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 are better molecular markers, which are of help in the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of prostate cancer.

In this study, the mechanism by which Suramin inhibits the replication of epidemic encephalitis B virus was explored to provide a theoretical basis for its further application in clinical practice. After viral infection of HepG2 and IMR-32 cells, different concentrations of Suramin were added to the culture media, and then the cultural supernatants and infected cells were collected 48 h later. For the evaluation of the curative effect, cytopathic effect (CPE), virus titers, the expression of viral protein and viral RNA were determined by Western blot RT-PCR andin vitro RNA synthesis, respectively. At the concentration of 50 μg/ml of Suramin, HepG2 and IMR-32 infected with epidemic encephalitis B virus decreased by 51.8% and 0.03% respectively, as compared with controls. It was suggested that expression of encephalitis B virus proteins NS3 and E was notably reduced by Suramin. This is especially true of E protein. At RNA level, however, no difference in RNA virus was found between Suramin-treated virus and non-treated cells. Our results suggest that Suramin can inhibit viral replication by blocking the production of viral proteins.

To investigate the changes in the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF32) in glomus cell grafts of carotid body in the rat model of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson disease, immunohistochemical staining of bFGF and TGFβ2 in the sections of striate body was done on the 2nd, 4th and 12th week after transplantation. The results showed that on the 2nd week after transplantation, bFGF annd TGFβ2 were not detectable in the glumous cell grafts. On the 4th week after graft, bFGF and TGFβ2 immunoreactivity was increased within the grafts and at the graft-host interface but was restricted only to astrocytes. In the striatum surrounding the graft, bFGF was expressed persistently, while TGFβ2 showed transient expression. It was suggested that the transient expression of TGFβ2 was likely due more to the trauma imposed by the graft procedure than to an intrinsic. The deficiency in astrocytic bFGF early after graft may be responsible for the poor survival of grafted glomus cells of carotid body.

To investigate the effect of HBx on expression of survivin in hepatoma cells and mechanisms of inhibition of apoptosis on hepatoma cells induced by HBx, the expression plasmid pHAHBx encoding full length of HBx was transfected into HepG2 cells and the transformed cells were identified by RT-PCR. The expression of survivin both in HepG2 cells and HBx-transfected cells was examined with RT-PCR. The nude mice model of hepatoma was established by injecting HepG2 cells and HBx-transfected cells into the flank of nude mice subcutaneously. The expression level of survivin both in HepG2 formed tumors and HBx-transfected cell-formed tumors in nude mice was examined with Western-blot. The TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptotic cells of tumor tissues in nude mice after intraabdominal chemotherapy with adriamycin. The results indicated that the amplification of survivin in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells was up-regulated when compared with that in non-transfected cells. Western-blot showed that the tumor cells expressing HBx in nude mice had a positive band of survivin expression and the tumor cells without HBx expression had no positive band. The result of TUNEL assay showed that there were less apoptotic cells in tumor tissues expressing HBx than that in control group cells. It was concluded that HBx could upregulate the expression of survivin in hepatic carcinoma cells which can inhibit apoptosis of hepatic carcinoma cells induced by adriamycin.

To explore the change of sensitivity to chemotherapy of antisense RNA targeting survivin on hepatocarcinoma carcinoma cellsin vitro. Survivin mRNA structure region was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted inversely into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. The antisense expression plasmid pcDNA3/survivin was transfected into HepG2 with lipofectAMINE^TM, 2000 (FL2000), with low concentration of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) added. Survivin protein was detected by westernblot, the growth activity was measured by MTT, and apoptosis was detected by Flow cytometry 12 h, 24 h, 48 h after transfection. The activity of caspase-3 was found by quantitative assay 48 h after transfection. The construction of antisense RNA vector pcDNA3/survivin was verified by restricted endonuclease digestion and nucleotide sequencing. Compared with normal group, 5-Fu and antisense survivin group, the cells growth inhibition, apoptosis index, and caspase-3 activity were increased in antisense survivin transfected + 5-Fu group. The threshold of apoptosis was decreased after survivin was silenced, and the sensitivity to chemotherapy was increased. These findings suggest the existence of a potential new target for gene therapy.

To clone the murine α-fetoprotein (AFP) gene, construct the eukaryotic expression vector of AFP and express in CHO cells, total RNA were extracted from Hepa 1–6 cells, and then the murine α-fetoprotein gene was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. 1. The recombinant of vector was identified by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. After transient transfection of CHO cells with the vector, Western blotting was used to detect the expression of AFP. It is concluded that the 1.8 kb murine α-fetoprotein gene was successfully cloned and its eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed.

To investigate the effects of Cyclin D1 antisense oligodeoxyneucleotides (ASODN) on the growth, cell cycle progression and expression of G₁ phase regulators in human gastric carcinoma cell lines SGC7901 and HS746T, phosphorothioate-modified Cyclin D1 ASODN were encapsulated by Lipofect AMINE2000 and transfected into gastric carcinoma cells. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects were induced by Cyclin D1 ASODN in two gastric carcinoma cell lines. Treatment of gastric carcinoma cells with 0.2 μmol/L CycliN D1 ASODN for 24 h could significantly inhibit their growthin vitro andin vivo, reduce expression of Cyclin D1mRNA to 26.3% (SGC7901) and 17.3% (HS746T) respectively. The percentage of cells in G₀/G₁ phase was increased as revealed by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of p21 was increased and the expression of Cyclin D1 and pRb was decreased in the two cell lines; the expression of p27 was increased in HS746T, but unchanged in SGC7901. Cyclin D1 ASODN could inhibit the growth and the expression of Cyclin D1 mRNA in gastric carcinoma cells, influence the cell cycle and expression of its regulators.

Presented in this paper is our experience in the diagnosis and management of abdominal compartment syndrome during severe acute pancreatitis. On the basis of the history of severe acute pancreatitis, after effective fluid resuscitation, if patients developed renal, pulmonary and cardiac insufficiency after abdominal expansion and abdominal wall tension, ACS should be considered. Cystometry could be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Emergency decompressive celiotomy and temporary abdominal closure with a 3 liter sterile plastic bag must be performed. It is also critical to prevent reperfusion syndrome. In 23 cases of ACS, 18 cases received emergency decompressive celiotomy and 5 cases did not. In the former, 3 patients died (16.7%), while in the later, 4 (80%) died. Total mortality rate was 33.3% (7/21). In 7 death cases, 4 patients developed acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC). All the patients who received emergency decompressive celiotomy 5 h after confirmation of ACS survived. The definitive abdominal closure took place mostly 3 to 5 days after emergency decompressive celiotomy, with longest time being 8 days. 6 cases of ACS at infection stage were all attributed to infected necrosis in abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum. ACS could occur in SIRS stage and infection stage during SAP, and has different pathophysiological basis. Early diagnosis, emergency decompressive celiotomy and temporary abdominal closure with a 3L sterile plastic bag are the keys to the management of the condition.

To observe the protective effect of heparin-coated circuits (HCC) on the platelet function during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). 23 patients with heart valve replacement were studied. The system heparin dose was 3 mg/kg in the control group (n=15) and heparin-coated circuits in the HCC group (n=8). Platelet count, α-granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140) concentrations were determined before CPB, at 60 min of CPB, 30 and 60 min after protamine administration, first 12 h after CPB, respectively. At end of CPB the arterial filters in the circuits were observed by electron microscopy. The amount of first 12-h postoperative blood loss was measured. There was significant reduction in platelet loss during and after CPB in the HCC group in contrast to the control group during CPB (P<0.05). During the first 12 h, postoperative blood loss was reduced in the HCC group as compared with that in the control group (218±61 ml, vs. 332±118 ml,P<0.05). Electron microscopy showed that in the HCC group the filter meshes and their fringes were clear and fragments of floccules were occasionally seen, without adherent cells or only few adherent cells on their surfaces, whereas several cellular and fibrous components were found to adhere to the surfaces of the filter meshes in the control group. This study indicates that heparin-coated circuits might reduce the platelet loss and activation during CPB and improve hemocompatibility of cardiopulmonary bypass equipment.

The cardioprotective effects of melatonin on recovery of rat donor hearts after 12 h of preservation were investigated. Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g (n=24) were randomly divided into 3 groups. In the non-storage group (n=8), donor hearts were not stored. In the melatonin group (n=8), donor hearts were stored in 4°C St. Thomas solution with melatonin (0.1 mmol/L). In the control group (n=8), donor hearts were stored in 4°C St. Thomas solution only. The coronary flow (CF), cardiac function, coronary vasodilatory response, creatine kinase (CK) and high energy phosphate levels were measured after the hearts had been preserved for 12 h. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructural changes after 12 h of preservation. The recovery of cardiac function and coronary vasodilatory response were significantly improved in the melatonin group (P<0.01). CK release decreased greatly in the melatonin group (P<0.01). High energy phosphate levels were significantly better preserved in the melatonin group (P<0.01). Histological findings were much better in the melatonin group than in the control group. These results suggest that melatonin has cardioprotective effects on the recovery of rat donor hearts after 12 h of preservation.

To study the characteristics of acute rejection after limb allotransplantation, 29 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 15 rats in control group and 14 rats in experimental group. Each rat in control group underwent limb replantation. Each rat in experimental group received limb transplantation from Wistar rat. No immnosuppressive drugs were used after operation. The circulation of the transplanted limb, time and signs of rejection, histopathological changes in the tissues of the limb graft when rejected and survival time of limb grafts were evaluated. In the control group, no signs of rejection were observed, the circulation of each replanted limb was normal, it could survive for a longer time. The experimental group showed clinical signs of rejection (sub dermal edema and erythema) after a mean time of 3.36±1.15 days, and the mean survival time of the allografts was only 7±0.78 days. Histopathological examination showed most violent rejection reaction in skin. It is concluded that with Wistar-to-SD limb transplantation without use of immunosuppression, rejection of the grafts would occur after a mean time of 3, 36±1, 15 days; the earliest signs of rejection were edema and erythema of the skin, being the most representative component of limb graft rejection.

To clarify the effects of zinc on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) and the expression of caspase-3 in RPE cells. The effect of Zinc on theproliferation of RPE were examined with MTT method. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of RPE cells. Caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry. A concentration of zinc higher than 0.001 μM could inhibit the proliferation of RPE. And the relationship between concentration of zinc higher than 10 μM and growth prohibition rate of RPE cells was dose-dependent. All concentrations of zinc including 0.001 μM enhanced the expression of caspase-3 of RPE. But only the concentration of zinc higher than 0.01 μM could induce apoptosis of RPE. It is concluded that zinc could enhance the expression of caspase-3 of RPE cells and induce apoptosis of RPE cells. Caution should be taken when using zinc supplements for the treatment of ARMD patients without deficiency of zinc.

Grey system analysis method was used to study the correlation between water pollution in D Lake area and death rate of malignancy with death rate of malignancy as effect sequence and a variety of water pollution index as factor sequence. On the basis of grey correlation analysis, grey system predication model was established for death rate of malignancy in population in D Lake area including GM_{(1, N)} model for death rate of malignancy [MR_(t+1)=(9.9987E₁+5.0001E₂+10.8994E₃+1.1114E₄+165.1029) · e^−0.0070t−9.9987E₁−5.0001E₂−10.8994E₃−1.1114E₄] and GM_{(1. 1)} model for related factors [E_1(t+1)=52.1214−46.9468e−0.0058t, E_2(t+1)=4.6114−4.5664e^0.0015t, E_3(t+1)=1.1389−1.1212e^0.0065t, E_4(t+1)=554.5867−549.8006e^0.0016t], and the trend of death rate of malignancy from 2000 to 2010 was predicted.

To get formed of the status of research and application of the domestic behavior therapy and its development trend, the time distribution and the subject distribution were bibliometrically analyzed of the literature on behavior therapy from 1981 to 2000 in the CBMdisc. Our results showed that the number of literature of behavior therapy has been increasing in exponential manner over the past 20 years: the behavior modification, the biofeedback and the cognitive therapy are extensively used in China. In clinical practice, the behavior modification and the biofeedback have been applied in all departments of medical institutions, especially for treating the cardiovascular and the neurological conditions. The cognitive therapy has been employed mainly for the treatment of mental disorders (or dysphrenia), the aversive therapy mainly for material withdrawal, and the systematic desensitization for phobia. There was no report found on the clinical use of meditation. It is concluded that the study and application in behavior therapy in China is currently developing very fast.

A stochastic model of intracellular calcium oscillations is put forward by taking into account the random opening-closing of Ca²⁺ channels in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The numerical results of the stochastic model show simple and complex calcium oscillations, which accord with the experiment results.