L-homocysteic acid (HCA) and other amino acids were conjugated to rat brain material (extracted rat brain protein) with glutaraldehyde to form HCA- and amino acids-brain material conjugates. The specificity of monoclonal antibody (McAb) was tested on serialdilution test and absorption test on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using these conjugates as antigens instead of amino acids-BSA (bovine serum albumin) conjugates used previously. The characterized McAb was applied for immunohistochemical staining using PAP (peroxidase antiperoxidase) technique in combination with silver enhancement of diamino-benzene (DAB) products. The results indicated that McAb to L-HCA reacted with L-HCA-brain material conjugates, but not with other amino acids-brain material conjugates so far tested. McAb absorbed with L-HCA-brain material abolished or decreased immunoreactivity of L-HCA-brain material with McAb. The antibody selectively stained subpopulation of cells and processes in the hippocampus fixed with glutaradehyde. Absorption of McAb with L-HCA-brain material abolished immunohistochemical staining. These results suggested that McAb was specific for L-HCA-brain materials and could be used for imunohistocytochemistry. This would provide a new tool for immunohistochemical visualization and localization of L-HCA in the nervous system.

In order to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human lower segments of myometrium obtained from women in labor and those not in labor and identify the splicing variant of COX-2, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COX-2. The primers were designed and synthesized according to the sequence of rat COX-2 splice variant which was discovered firstly by us. Then the splicing variant of COX-2 in human myometrium from woman in labor was identified, cloned into vector and sequenced. The results showed that the expression of COX-2 mRNA was lower in human myometrium obtained from women who were not in labor than that in labor women and a new band of COX-2 was obtained in myometrium from labor woman. The fragment included an unspliced intron, which pitched between exons 7 and 8. It was suggested that COX-2 gene was not only expressed highly in human myometrium from woman in labor, but also produced splicing variant by alternative splicing.

To express recombinant arresten in Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and investigate its biological activity, prokaryotic expression vector of human arresten gene was constructed by gene engineering. Human arresten gene was amplified from recombinant plasmid pGEMArr by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pRSET containing T7 promoter. Restriction analysis and DNA sequencing verified that the arresten gene was correctly cloned into the expression vector. The recombinant plasmid pRSETAt was subsequently transformed intoE. coli BL21 (DE3), and the target gene was expressed under induction of IPTG. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the recombinant protein with a molecular weight of 29 kD (1 kD=0.992 1 ku) amounted to 29% of the total bacterial proteins. After purification and renaturation, the recombinant protein could significantly suppress the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These results suggested that the expression of a biologically active form of human arresten in the pRSET expression system laid a foundation for further study on the mechanistic insight into arresten action on angiogenesis and the development of powerful anti-cancer drugs.

To establish a method of directional differentiation and efficient production of neurons from embryonic stem cells (ES cells)in vitro, based on the 4-/4+ protocol described by Bain, a new method was established to induce ES cells differentiating into neurons by means of three-step differentiation using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM)in Vitro. The totipotency of ES cells was identified by observation of cells morphology and formations of teratoma in immunocompromised mice. The cells differentiation was evaluated continuously by the detection of the specific cellular markers of neural stem cells, neurons and astrocytes, including nestin, NSE and GFAP using immunohistochemistry assay. The NSE positive cells' ratio of the differentiated cells was determined by flow cytometry. It was found that the transparent circular clusters surrounding embryoid bodies induced with combining induction protocol formed just after 24 h and gradually enlarged later. This phenomenon could not be observed in EBs induced only by ATRA. The NSE positive cells' ratio in the cells induced with ATRA and ACM was higher than that of the cells induced by ATRA at different time points of differentiation, and finally reached up to 73.5% among the total differentiated population. It was concluded that ES cells could be induced into neurons with high purity and yield by means of inducing method combining with ATRA and ACM.

The gene and the amino acid sequence of the structural and regulatory region of thePseudomonas aeruginosa with different resistance patterns were analyzed. Six strains with different resistance patterns were selected and the AmpC β-lactamase was identified. The objective gene fragment was amplified by colonies PCR. The sequences of the PCR-products were analyzed. The DNA sequence of the structural gene ampC and the regulatory genes ampR, ampD and ampE was detected. The 6 strains and the wild-typePseudomonas aeruginosa are highly homogeneous in structural and regulatory region. Some new mutant points were found.

The effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the expression of heat stress protein 70 (Hsp70) in human bronchi smooth muscle cells were investigatedin vitro, and the changes in Hsp70 mRNA in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their significance were explored. Human bronchi smooth muscle cells were cultured with CSE at the different concentrations. The expression of Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 was detected by reverse translation-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. Levels of Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 in lymphocytes from 20 patients with COPD and 20 healthy smoking control subjects were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed the expression of both Hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 was decreased conformably in human bronchi smooth muscle cells treated with CSE at certain concentrationin vitro. The A values of the Hsp70 mRNA expression were 0.24±0.11 and 0. 42±0.13 respectively in COPD patients and healthy smoking controls with the difference being significant (P<0.01). There was also significant difference in theA values of the Hsp70 expression between COPD patients and healthy smoking controls (20.9±9.9 vs 44.8±15.3,P<0.01). The levels of Hsp70 mRNA had strongly positive correlation with Hsp70 protein (r=0.85,P<0.01). It was suggested that the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was in concordance with the expression of Hsp70, which could provide a basis on the study of Hsp70 gene regulation and Hsp70 gene in the development of COPD.

The transfection efficiency of oligonucleotide and plasmid to the HL-60 cell line with lipofectaminedPLUS was compared through observing the transfection rate and the expression duration of exogenous gene in the target cells. The results showed that the transfection rate of oligonucleotide to the HL-60 was about 90%–95% and it had no obvious attenuation within 84h. However, the plasmid transfection rate was only 5%–25% and it was decreased significantly within 60h. It was suggested that the transfection of oligonucleotide with liposomes was better than that of plasmid.

In order to investigate the influence of angiotensin II on hematopoietic system, CD34⁺ cells in cord blood were purified, and the effects of angiotensin II in combination with various cytokines on their growth and differentiation were studied by cell culturein vitro. It was found that angiotensin II in suspending medium could stimulate both BFU-E and CFU-GM expansion. The number of BFU-E and CFU-GM was increased with the increases of angiotensin II concentrations during a certain range. In addition, the expansion fold of CFU-GM was increased from 2.3±0.8 times to 7.8±2.3 times when angiotensin II was added in the presence of SCF+G-CSF+GM-CSF+IL-3 cytokines mixture. Similarly, the expansion fold of BFU-E was increased from 3.1±1.8 times to 9.2±2.3 times with angiotensin II in the presence of SCF+EPO+TPO+IL-3. In the semi-solid medium, angiotensin II could stimulate CFU-GM expansion but had no effect on the growth of BFU-E. In conclusion, angiotensin II had some etimulating effects on cord blood hematopoietic progenitors expansionin vitro in the presence of other cytokines.

In order to investigate the levels of stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor c-kit protein and mRNA in pediatric aplastic anemia (AA) and their relevance to the pathogenesis, immunocytochemical andin situ hybridization were utilized to detect the expression of SCF and its receptor c-kit gene protein and mRNA, respectively in 59 children with AA and 51 normal controls. The relationship between SCF and c-kit and the pathogenesis of AA was analyzed subsequently. The results showed that the positive rate of SCF protein and mRNA expression in children with AA was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the positive rate of c-kit protein and mRNA expression between children with AA and control group (P>0.05). It was concluded that the expression of SCF is significantly decreased in children with AA, which may be closely associated with the pathogenesis of the AA. c-kit may be unrelated to the development of pediatric AA. Therefore, AA in children may have abnormalities at SCF/c-kit signal transduction levels.

The effects of benazepril on P42/44MAPK, angiotensin II expression in renal tissue and renal pathological change of the experimental diabetic rats were assessed and the possible mechanism of benazeprils renoprotective effect was explored. Adult male Wistar rats, 11–12 weeks age, weighing initially 160 to 200 g were randomly allocated into 2 groups: control group (A,n=6) and experimental group (n=12). Diabetic rats in experimental group were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight), and randomly subdivided into B group (diabetic control) and C group (diabetic rats treated with benazepril, 6 mg/kg every day). Studies were performed 8 weeks after induction of diabetes. Twenty-four h urine of every rat was collected to detect urine creatinine. Serum glucose concentration and serum creatinine were determined by collecting blood samples from the inferior vena cava. Body and kidney weight were recorded. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and ratio of kidney weight to body weight were calculated. Plasma and renal tissue angiotensin II concentration was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The phospo-p44/42MAPK protein expression was detected by Western-blot. The results showed that benazepril had no significant effect on the blood glucose level in diabetic rats in two experimental groups. Ccr and ratio of kidne weight to body weight were increased in group B (P<0.01) as compared with normal rats at the end of the 8th week. At the end of the 8th week, Ccr in group C was lower than that in group B (P<0.01). The ratio of kidney weight to body weight in group C was lower than that in group B at the 8th week. There were glomeruli hypertrophy and slight or moderate mesangium proliferation in diabetic rats, while there was fragmentally proliferative measangium in group C at the end of the 8th week. Renal tissue angiotensin II concentration was significantly increased in group B, while benazepril could significantly decrease the concentration of angiotensin II in renal tissue. The expression of the phospo-p44/42MAPK protein in group B was increased as compared with group A, while it was decreased in group C as compared with group B. P42/44MAPK pathway participated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Benazepril can eliminate high filtration of glomeruli, decrease proteinuria, and eliminate renal hypertrophy as well as renal destruction. Renoprotective effect of benazepril in diabetic rats may be partly related to the inhibition of angiotensin II—P42/44MAPK pathway.

In order to investigate the effects and mechanisms of calcium dobesilate on renal lesions in experimental type 2 diabetic rats, dibetic rats were randomly divided into control group (group C) and experimental group (group D) treated with calcium dobesitate. The serum creatinine (Scr), protein kinase C (PKC), creatinine clearance (Ccr), transforming growth factor-beta₁ (TGF-β₁), type IV collagen were compared among the groups after 24 weeks. The renal tissues were observed under light microscopy and electron microscopy. The results showed that after 24 weeks, Scr, PKC, TGF-β₁ in group D were significantly lower than in group C, meanwhile, renal pathologic changes in group D were improved. Ccr had no difference between group C and group D. It was concluded that calcium dobesilate could ameliorate renal lesions in diabetic rats through inhibiting PKC and TGF-β₁

The effects of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries on hepatocellular viability and store-operated calcium current (Isoc) in isolated rat hepatocytes and the effects of 2-APB on store-operated calcium current (Isoc) in isolated rat hepatocytes after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injuries were studied. Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury model was establised and whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to investigate the effects of 2-APB on Isoc. The results showed that ischemia/reperfusion injuries could significantly reduce hepatocellular viability and further increase Isoc in hepatocyte and 2-APB (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 μmol/L) produced a concentration-dependent decrease of Isoc with IC₅₀ value of 64.63±10.56 μmol/L (n=8). It was concluded that ischemia/ reperfusion injuries could reduce hepatocellular viability, probably through increased Isoc in hepatocytes and 2-APB had a protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury, probably though inhibiting Isoc.

In order to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of celecoxib in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis on human pancreatic carcinoma cells, the anti-proliferative effect was measured by using methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by using flow cytometry (FCM), and the PGE₂ levels in the supernatant of cultured pancreatic carcinoma cells were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunoabsordent assay (ELISA). Our results showed that celecoxib suppressed the production of PGE₂ and inhibited the growth of JF-305 cells, and the anti-proliferative effect of celecoxib could be abolished by addition of PGE₂. FCM revealed that celecoxib could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis by G₁-S cell cycle arrest. It was concluded that cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitor celecoxib could inhibit proliferation and induced apoptosis of human pancreatic carcinoma cells via suppression of PGE₂ production in vitro.

The clinical significance of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) protein expression and the correlation between the expression of PTEN and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. The expression of PTEN and phospho-AKT was detected by SP immunohistochemical technique and Western blotting in 35 cases of HCC, 15 cases of liver cirrhosis and 8 cases of normal tissues. The correlation between the expression of PTEN and PKB/AKT in HCC was analyzed. The results showed that the positive expression of PTEN in HCC (62.9%, 0.085±0.021) was significantly lower than that in liver cirrhosis and normal tissues (P<0.01). The expression level of PTEN was related to the differentiation degree of HCC and the status of metastasis (P<0.05). Western blotting revealed a significant inverse correlation between PTEN and phospho-AKT (r=−0.818,P<0.01). These results demonstrated that down-regulation or loss of PTEN, which may not be able to effectively inhibit the hyper-phosphorylation of PKB/AKT, might play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression of HCC.

To study the influence of siRNA targeting survivin gene on the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one pair of 21bp reverse repeated motifs of survivin target sequence with 9 spacers were synthesized and inserted into plasmid psilencer2. 1 to generate siRNA eukaryotic expression vector. After stable transfection into HepG2 cells, the biological behaviors of the survivin siRNA transfected HCC cells were observed. After the recombinant plasmid Psilence (+)-survivin was successfully constructed, survivin mRNA and protein expression inhibition ratio reached 73% and 75% respectively compared to control groups. Transfected cells with survivin siRNA demonstrated significantly inhibited cell growth and increased apoptosis. Subsequent study in nude mouse model demonstrated lower succeeding rate in cells transfected with survivin siRNA and slow growth rate. The results elucidated the siRNA targeting survivin gene could specially suppress its expression in HepG2 cells and inhibit tumor cells growth both in vivo and in vitro. This provides a theoretical basis to turn the drug resistance in tumor cells.

The therapeutic potential of soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied. The expression of TRAIL receptors was detected in 60 HCC tissues, 20 normal liver samples and 2 HCC cell lines (HepG2 and SMMC-7721) byin situ hybridization. Before and after HepG2 and SMMC-7721 were treated with sTRAIL protein with various concentrations, the apoptosis rate was observed by using flow cytometry andin situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl tranferase (TdT) labeling. The results showed death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5 were expressed in 60 HCC tissues and 20 normal liver samples, while the expression intensity of DR in HCC tissues was stronger than in normal liver samples. DcR1 and DcR2 were not detectable in 54 (90%) and 25 (41.7%) HCC tissues, while in 20 normal liver samples. The expression of DR5, DR4 and DcR2 in both HCC cell lines was detectable, but the expression of DcR1 was not detectable. The expression of DR in HCC tissues was related to the differentiation and grades of HCC. In the poor differentiated HCC, the expression of DR was decreased (P<0.01). The expression of DR in III/IV grades was significantly lower than that in I/II grades (P<0.05). The expression of DR was not related to gender, age, HBsAg, AFP, tumor size and metastasis. The expression of DR in the HCC drugresistant lines was decreased. After treatment with TRAIL (100 ng/ml) for 24 h, the apoptosis rate of HCC cells, Jurkat cells and human cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC939 was 10%, 70%, 50% respectively. It was suggested that the TRAILR expression is prevalent in HCC with different expression patterns of different receptor types. HCC is resistant to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The treatment of TRAIL alone has a limited effect on inducing apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721.

The mechanisms of rHu-EPO attenuating the apoptosis after myocardial infraction in rats were studied. Thirty-two rats wre divided into three groups: sham operation group (Sham), acute myocardial infarction group (MI) and rHu-EPO-treated group (MI+EPO). Acute myocardial infarction model was made by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery. rHu-EPO was administered i. p. in MI+EPO group at the dose of 5 000 IU/kg body weight immediately after the ligation. Each rat in MI+EPO group received the same dose of rHu-EPO daily the next 6 days. On the 14th day all rats underwent hemodynamic measurements and then killed. The samples were examined with HE stain, immunohistochemistry technique (bcl-2, bax) and TUNEL dyeing. The results showed that hemodynamic function in MI+EPO group was much better than in MI group. The number of the cells positive for bax and TUNEL in MI+EPO group was less than that in MI group. The number of the cells positive for bcl-2 in MI+EPO group was more than that in MI group. These findings suggested that rHu-EPO could treat myocardial infarction by preventing apoptosis and attenuating post-infarction deterioration in hemodynamic function.

The nano-magnetic ferrofluid was prepared by chemical coprecipitation and its acute toxicology was investigated. The effective diameter (Eff. Diam.) of the magnetic particles was about 19.9 nm, and the concentration of the ferrofluid was 17.54 mg/ml. The acute toxic reaction and the main viscera pathological morphology of mice were evaluated after oral, intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of the nano-magnetic ferrofluid of different doses respectively. Half lethal dose (LD₅₀)>2104.8 mg/kg, maximum non-effect dose (ED₀)=320.10mg/kg with oral; LD₅₀>438.50 mg/kg, ED₀=160.05 mg/kg with intravenous route; and LD₅₀>1578.6 mg/kg, ED₀=320.10 mg/kg with intraperitoneal administration. Degeneration and necrosis of viscera were not found. So the nano-magnetic ferrofluid, of which toxicity is very low, may be used as a drug carrier.

Tissue-engineering bone with porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic and autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was constructed and the effect of this composite on healing of segmental bone defects was investigated. 10–15 ml bone marrow aspirates were harvested from the iliac crest of sheep, and enriched for MSC by density gradient centrifugation over a Percoll cushion (1.073 g/ml). After cultured and proliferated, tissue-engineering bones were constructed with these cell seeded onto porous β-TCP, and then the constructs were implanted in 8 sheep left metatarsus defect (25 mm in length) as experimental group. Porous β-TCP only were implanted to bridge same size and position defects in 8 sheep as control group, and 25 mm segmental bone defects of left metatarsus were left empty in 4 sheep as blank group. Sheep were sacrificed on the 6th, 12th, and 24th week postoperatively and the implants samples were examined by radiograph, histology, and biomechanical test. The 4 sheep in blank group were sacrificed on the 24th or histologically at the defects of experimental group as early as 6th week postoperatively, but not in control group, and osteoid tissue, woven bone and lamellar bone occurred earlier than in control group in which the bone defects were repaired in “creep substitution” way, because of the new bone formed in direct manner without progression through a cartilaginous intermediate. At the 24th week, radiographs and biomechanical test revealed an almost complete repair of the defect, of experimental group, only partly in control group. The bone defects in blank group, were non-healing at the 24th week. It was concluded that engineering bones constructed with porous β-TCP and autologous MSC were capable of repairing segmental bone defects in sheep metatarsus beyond “creep substitution” way and making it, healed earlier. Porous β-TCP being constituted with autologous MSC may be a good option in healing critical segmental bone defects in clinical practice and provide insight for future clinical repair of segmental defect.

The expression of Smad2 and Smad3 and the influence of exogenous transforming growth factorβ₁ (TGFβ₁) on them in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in vitro were investigated. The effects of different concentrations of TGFβ₁ on cell proliferation and ALP activity were detected by MTT and PNPP in, MSCs respectively. The expression of Smad2 and Smad3 and the influence of exogenous TGFβ₁ on them were also examined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot assays. The exogenous TGFβ₁ induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation and a dose-dependent increase, in ALP activity, which plateaued at 5 ng/ml. Smad2 and Smad3 proteins were detected only in the cytoplasm in the absence of TGFβ₁ and TGFβ₁ could stimulate the translocation of them from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The total amount of Smad2 protein remained unchanged before and after TGFβ₁ treatment (P>0.05). The expression levels of Smad3 remained unchanged after 3 h and 6 h treatment (P>0.05), but decreased markedly after 24 h treatment (P<0.05). It was concluded that TGFβ₁ is a latent osteoinductive factor involved in osteoblastic differentiation. Both Samd2 and Samd3 mediate TGFβ₁ signaling as downstream mediators in MSCs. The biological output of TGFβ₁ triggering the osteoblastic differentiation could be entirely determined by Smad3 in MSCs.

The safety of Chuangyuling (CYL) dressing—a multifunctional medicine carrying biomaterial was evaluated in order to provide foundation for the application of CYL as material used in the wound healing. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extract solution was compounded with scaffolds (gelatin and Bletilla hyacinthine gum), and then frozen and dried to form spongy and porous material CYL. According to the standard of biological evaluation of medical devices that was instituted by the ministry of health of China^[1], the biological evaluation of CYL dressing was conducted. The results showed that all the contents of biological evaluation test consisting of acute toxicity, skin irritation, sensitization and cytotoxicity met the requirement of standards. It was concluded that the biomaterial carrying TCM (CYL dressing) is safe for application of wound healing.

The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) in human meningiomas and the relationships between their expression and the tumors' histological features and angiogenesis were investigated by means of immunohistochemical technique. The expression of bFGF and FGFR-1 was detected by antibody of bFGF or FGFR-1. the tumors' angiogenesis was evaluated by microvascular density (MVD) and, which was observed by use of CD34-antibody immunohistochemically. The results showed that there were varied degrees of the expression of bFGF and FGFR-1 proteins in meningiomas. The expression was correlated with the tumors' histological characters and angiogenesis. It was concluded that bFGF and FGFR-1 might play important roles in meningiomas' angiogenesis and proliferation. The expression positive rate of bFGF and FGFR-1 may provide an indication of evaluating the histological and malignant degree of the tumor.

The implications of Survivin, CyclinD1, p21^WAF1, Caspase-3 in the development, progression and prognosis in cervical cancer were investigated. By using immunohistochemical SP method, the expression of Survivin, CyclinD1, p21^WAF1, Caspase-3 was detected in 41 cases of cervical cancer, 17 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 10 cases of normal tissues, and their relation with pathological grade, clinical stage, metastasis and survival time was analyzed. The results showed that the positive expression rate of Survivin, CyclinD1 in cervical cancer was significantly higher than in CIN group and normal control group (P<0.05). The median survival time in the patients with cervical cancer positive for Survivin and CyclinD1 was significantly shorter than in those with negative expresion (P<0.05). The expression of both Survivin and CyclinD1 was not related with tumor grade, clinical stage and metastasis (P>0.05). The positive expression rate of p21^WAF1, Caspace-3 in cervical cancer was significantly lower than in CIN group and normal control group (P<0.05), and had a close relation with tumor grade (P<0.05). The expression of Survivin in cervical cancer in cervical cancer was negatively associated with that of Caspase-3 (P<0.01), but positively with that of CyclinD1 (P<0.01). Cox Multivariate analysis revealed that Survivin was the independent prognostic indicator influencing the survival time of the patients with cervical cancer (P<0.05). It was suggested that the high expression of Survivin or CyclinD1, and low expression of p21^WAF1 or Caspace-3 was closely correlated with the development of cervical cancer. Survivin and CyclinD1 could be used as a useful indicator to predict the prognosis of cervical cancer.

The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in placental tissue of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and the relationship between the level of expression of TGF-β1 and the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in serum was studied. Immunohistochemistry ABC was used to detect the expression and distribution of TGF-β1 in placental tissues in 40 PIH women and 20 normal pregnancy women. High resolution pathological image analysis system was used to determine the quality of TGF-β. The VCAM-1 in serum was examined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that TGF-β1 could be express in syncytiotrophoblast. The levels of TGF-β1 expression in placental tissues of the patients with moderate and severe PIH were significantly higher (P<0.05), while the serum VCAM-1 was significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of the TGF-β1 in placental tissues and the serum VCAM-1 (r=0.969,P<0.01). It was concluded that the level of TGF-β1 expressin in PIH was increased and was positively correlated with the amount of serum VCAM-1, indicating that they might be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.

Full-length coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) eukaryotic expression plasmid was transfected into an ovarian cell line, SKOV3, and its effect on the change of malignant metastasis phenotype was explored. CAR mRNA and protein expression levels among 4 ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780, SKOV3, SW626, CAOV3) and the positive control 293 (a transformed human embryo kidney cell line) was detected by using semi-quantitative RT-RCR and Western blot and compared. CAR-negative SKOV3 was transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing a full-length CAR cDNA and mock-vector respectively. The positive clones were screened by G418. The biological behavior changes of positive transfected cells were gauged by colony formation in soft agar assay and cell adhesion assay. Among the cell lines, there were obviously different CAR expression levels. CAR could not be detected in SKOV3. In transfected cell group. CAR expression was enhanced obviously as compared with non-transfected or mock-transfected groups. Cell adhesion in the transfected group was promoted. The number of colony formation was reduced significantly in transfected groups (25.32±8.91) as compared with that in non-transfected group (88.75 ±13.98) and mock-transfected group (82.53±19.37). Among the 4 ovarian cancer cell lines, CAR expression level was variable. Exogenous CAR expression had a potential role in inhibiting the malignant metastasis phenotype of ovary cancer cells.

In order to investigate the ipsilateral lymphadenectomy for inhibiting rejection in rat corneal transplantation, corneal allogenic transplantation models were established in rats. Eighteen female Wister rats were used as donors, and 36 Sprague Dawley rats as recipients. After penetrating corneal transplantation, recipients were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A (control group): group B, the ipsilateral lymphadenectomy group; group C, the bilateral lymphadenectomy group. Among 12 rats in each group, the corneas of 2 rats in each group were used for pathological study at day 14 after the transplantation, and the remaining 10 rats were used for studying corneal rejection by a slit lamp. The time points when allograft rejection occurred were recorded and mean survival time (MST) was compared. The results showed that MST in groups B and C was 46.30±9.464 days and 44.43±7.604 days, respectively, which was significantly prolonged as compared with that in group A (10.71±1.567 days,P<0.01). There was no significant difference in MST between groups B and C (P>0.05). It was concluded that both bilateral and ipsilateral lymphadenectomy therapies could effectively inhibit the corneal allograft rejection. Ipsilateral lymphadenectomy is a less complex surgical procedure and is just as effective in preventing rejection.

The effect of morphine and naloxone on release of the excitatory amino acids (EAAs) of spinal astrocytes induced by TNF-α was studied. Astrocytes were purified from 2- to 3-day old SD rats and divided into 8 groups: group 1 (without any stimulatants); group 2 (10 ng/ml TNF-α); group3 (10 ng/ml TNF-α+0.5 μmol/L morphine); group 4 (10 ng/ml TNF-α+1.0 μmol/L morphine); group 5 (10 ng/ml TNF-α+2.0 μmol/L morphine); group 6 (10 ng/ml TNF-α+0.5 μmol/L naloxone); group 7 (10 ng/ml TNF-α+1.0 μmol/L naloxone); group 8 (10 ng/ml TNF-α +2.0 μmol/L naloxone). In group 2, 3, 4 and 5, 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 μmol/L morphine was added to the cells cultured with serum-free Neurobasal/B27 medium containing 10 ng/ml TNF-α respectively, while in group 6, 7 and 8, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 μmol/L naloxone was added respectively to the cells cultured with serum-free Neurobasal/B27 medium containing 10 ng/ml TNF-α. After 30 min incubation, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the levels of EAAs in all cultured cells. The results showed the level of EAAs in group 2 was significant higher than in group 1 (P<0.01). As compared with group 2, the levels of EAAs in group 3, 4 and 5 were decreased with the difference being significant between group 5 and group 2 (P<0.01) or between group 4 and group 2 (P<0.05). The levels of EAAs in group 6, 7 and group 8 was significantly lower than in group 2 (P<0.05 orP<0.01). It was concluded that TNF-α could promote the release of glutamate and aspartate from astrocytes, and morphine and naloxone might reduce the release of EAAs in cultured spinal astrocytes induced by TNF-α.

The optimal plane for measurement of the right ventricular (RV) volumes by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) was determined and the feasibility and accuracy of RT3DE in studying RV systolic function was assessed. RV “Full volume” images were acquired by RT3DE in 22 healthy subjects. RV end-diastolic volumes (RVEDV) and end-systolic volumes (RVESV) were outlined using apical biplane, 4-plane, 8-plane, 16-plane offline separately. RVSV and RVEF were calculated. Meanwhile tricuspid annual systolic excursion (TASE) was measured by M-mode echo. LVSV was outlined by 2-D echo according to the biplane Simpson's rule. The results showed: (1) There was a good correlation between RVSV measured from series planes and LVSV from 2-D echo (r=0. 73;r=0. 69;r=0. 63;r=0. 66,P<0. 25–0. 0025); (2) There were significant differences between RVEDV in biplane and those in 4−, 8−, 16-plane (P<0.001). There was also difference between RV volume in 4-plane and that in 8-plane (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between RV volume in 8-plane and that in 16-plane (P>0.05); (3) Inter-observers and intro-observers variability analysis showed that there were close agreements and relations for RV volumes (r=0.986,P<0.001;r=0.93,P<0.001); (4) There was a significantly positive correlation of TASE to RVSV and RVEF from RT3DE (r=0.83;r=0.90). So RV volume measures with RT3DE are rapid, accurate and reproducible. In view of RV's complex shape, apical 8-plane method is better in clinical use. It may allow early detection of RV systolic function.

The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and Zn, Cu, Ca levels in the meal and hair of urban and rural elderly people were studied. 470 subjects above 60 years old (urban 205 and rural 265), 178 males with an average age of 65.70 ±3.48 and 292 females with an average age of 65.90±4.02, were inquired. The BMD and Zn, Cu, Ca levels in the meal and hair were measured. The detected BMD in urban and rural female old people was significantly lower than that of the males: The contents of Ca and Zn in the meal of the urban females were significantly lower than those of the urban males; The Ca, Zn in the meal and Zn in the hair of the rural females were significantly lower than those of rural males (P<0.05 or 0.01). The BMD, Ca intakes, Ca and Zn in the hair of the rural old people were significantly lower than those of the urban old people (P<0.05 or 0.01). There was a correlation between BMD with the Ca, Zn of the hair and dietary Ca, Zn, Cu or between dietary Zn with Ca, Zn in the hair and Ca, Cu intakes. The Zn, Cu and Ca levels in the meal nutrients were correlated with BMD to some degrees. Lack of Ca and Zn in the meal can cause the reduction of BMD.

In order to find an appropriate model suitable for a multistate survival experiment, 634 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) were selected to illustrate the method of analysis. After transplantation, there were 4 possible situations for a patient: discase free, relapse but still alive, death before relapse, and death after relapse. The last 3 events were considered as treatment failure. The results showed that the risk of death before relapse was higher than that of the relapse, especially in the first year after transplantation with competing-risk method. The result of patients with relapse time less than 12 months was much poor by the Kaplan-Meier method. And the multistate survival models were developed, which were detailed and informative based on the analysis of competing risks and Kaplan-Meier analysis. With the multistate survival models, a further analysis on conditional probability was made for patients who were disease free and still alive at month 12 after transplantation. It was concluded that it was possible for an individual patient to predict the 4 possible probabilities at any time. Also the prognoses for relapse either death or not and death either before or after relapse may be given. Furthermore, the conditional probabilities for patients who were disease free and still alive in a given time after transplantation can be predicted.

A novel exonuclease protection mediated PCR assay (EPM-PCR) to detect the interaction of protein and DNA at a dioxin-responsive enhancer (DRE) upstream of the CYP1A1 gene in rat hepatic cytosol was established. A double-stranded DNA fragment containing two binding sites was designed and incubated with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transformed by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p dioxin (TCDD) to generate TCDD: AhR: DNA complex which could protect receptor-binding DNA against exonuclease III (Exo III) digestion. With Exo III treatment, free DNAs were digested and receptor-bound DNAs remained that could be amplified by PCR. By agarose gel electrophoreses a clear band (285bp) was detected using TCDD-treated sample, while nothing with control samples. To detect transformed AhR-DRE complex, 2 fmol DNAs and 3 ug cytosol proteins were found to be sufficient in the experiment. Compared with gel retardation assay, this new method is more sensitive for monitoring the Ah receptor-enhancer interaction without radioactive pollution.

The self-made high sensitivity and selectivity micro-biosensor was applied to monitor the change of dopamine in cerebral nucleus in ratsin vivo. The micro-biosensor was prepared and used to detect dopamine levelin vitro and monitor the dynamic change of dopamine in different cerebral nucleusin vivo. The results showed the lowest concentration of dopamine that could be detected by the biosensor was 32.5 nmol/L. Its positive peak was significantly different from that of AA, 5-HTP and E. The biosensor could keep working for monitoring the dopamine concentration in the cerebral tissue for more than 10 h. It was concluded that the microsensor has high sensitivity and selectivity to dopamine and can be used to dynamically monitor the change of dopaminein vivo.

The apoptosis in primary oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) without lymph node (LN) metastases and its relation with clinical stages and pathological grades was investigated. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl trasferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect the apoptotic cells in 15 cases of OSCCs. The percentage of apoptotic cells among tumor cells were calculated as apoptotic index (AI). The results showed that in all 15 cases of OSCCs, apoptotic cells could be visualized by TUNEL with AI ranging from 0.03 to 0.92 (average 0.32). AI was significantly negatively correlated with pathological grades (P<0.05). It was concluded that the apoptotic rate was related to the malignant degree of OSCCs without LN metastases.

The effect of saliva contamination on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets, at various stages of the bonding procedure using a new self-etch primer was studied. The samples were divided into 4 groups according to 4 different enamel surface conditions: Group A: dry; Group B: saliva contamination before priming; Group C: saliva contamination after priming, and Group D: saliva contamination before and after priming. Stainless steel brackets were bonded in each test group with a light-cured composite resin (TransbondXT 3M). The shear bond strength was determined in the first 30 min after bonding. The analysis of variance indicated that the shear bond strengths of the 4 groups were significantly different (F=11. 89,P<0.05). Tukey HSD tests indicated that contamination both before and after the application of the acid-etch primer resulted in a significantly lower (=4.6±1.7 MPa) shear bond strength than either the control group (=8.8±1.9MPa) or the groups where contamination occurred either before (=7.9±2.0 MPa) or after (=6.9±1.5 MPa) the application of the primer. It was concluded that the new acid-etch primer could maintain adequate shear bond strength if contamination occurred either before or after the application of the primer. On the other hand, contamination both before and after the application of the primer could significantly reduce the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets.