Development and prospects of predicting drug polymorphs technology / 药学学报

Most chemical medicines have polymorphs. The difference of medicine polymorphs in physicochemical properties directly affects the stability, efficacy, and safety of solid medicine products. Polymorphs is incomparably important to pharmaceutical chemistry, manufacturing, and control. Meantime polymorphs is a key factor for the quality of high-end drug and formulations. Polymorph prediction technology can effectively guide screening of trial experiments, and reduce the risk of missing stable crystal form in the traditional experiment. Polymorph prediction technology was firstly based on theoretical calculations such as quantum mechanics and computational chemistry, and then was developed by the key technology of machine learning using the artificial intelligence. Nowadays, the popular trend is to combine the advantages of theoretical calculation and machine learning to jointly predict crystal structure. Recently, predicting medicine polymorphs has still been a challenging problem. It is expected to learn from and integrate existing technologies to predict medicine polymorphs more accurately and efficiently.

Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on gut microbiota of rats with Parkinson's disease / 中国中药杂志

Under the guidance of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" and the modern theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis", this study explored the effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on the gut microbiota of rats with Parkinson's disease(PD). The 40 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, PD model group, levodopa group, and Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in the neck and back area. After 14 days of intragastric administration, the PD rats' behaviors were analyzed through open field test, inclined plane test, and pole test. After the behavioral tests, the striatum, colon, and colon contents of rats in each group were collected. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and α-synuclein(α-syn) in striatum and that of α-syn in colon. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in striatum and colon. High-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA gene was conducted to detect the differences in microbial diversity, abundance, differential phyla, and dominant bacteria of rats between groups. The results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract could relieve dyskinesia, reverse the increased levels of α-syn, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in striatum, and improve the protein expression of TH in striatum of PD rats. The α diversity analysis indicated a significant decrease in diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in the PD model. The results of linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe) of dominant bacteria indicated that Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract increased the relative abundance of Clotridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Anaerostipes, and reversed the increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia-Shigella in PD model group to exhibit the neuroprotective effect. In summary, the results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract exert the therapeutic effect on PD rats. Specifically, the extract may regulate gut microbiota, decrease the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduce the protein aggregation of α-syn in the colon and striatum to alleviate intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation. This study provides a basis for combining the theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" with the theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis" to treat PD.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus: propositions and future directions / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection due to vertical transmission remains a critical concern with regards to eliminating HBV infection. Implementation of hepatitis B vaccine, the foundation to prevent perinatal and horizontal transmission, has reduced the prevalence of HBV by >80%. In countries where the hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is available, such as China and the United States, the administration of HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine to the infants of mothers who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen has become a standard practice and is effective in preventing vertical transmission. Accumulating evidence on the efficacy and safety of antiviral prophylaxis during pregnancy indicates the probability of attaining the goal of the World Health Organization to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. In this review, we discuss the transmission routes, diagnostic criteria, and preventive strategies for vertical transmission. A preventive program that includes screening before pregnancy, antiviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, and postpartum immunoprophylaxis provides "perfect strategies" to eliminate vertical transmission. However, there is still a notable gap between "perfect strategies" and real-world application, including insufficient coverage of timely birth dose vaccine and the efficacy and necessity of HBIG, especially in mothers who are negative for hepatitis B envelope antigen. In particular, there is a clear need for a comprehensive long-term safety profile of antiviral prophylaxis. Therefore, feasible and cost-effective preventive strategies need to be determined across regions. Access also needs to be scaled up to meet the demands for prophylaxis and prevalence targets.

Spectrum-effect relationship of hemostatic effects of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma with different commodity specifications / 中国中药杂志

This article aims to establish the fingerprints, determine the hemostatic pharmacodynamic indicators, and explore the spectrum-effect relationship of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in 12 different specifications. Firstly, HPLC and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) were employed to establish the fingerprints of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. The rat plasma recalcification experiment and the rat gastric bleeding experiment were conducted to determine the pharmacodynamic indicators, including plasma recalcification time(PRT), thrombin time(TT), prothrombin time(PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT). Afterwards, the partial least squares method was employed to explore the spectrum-effect relationship of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in different specifications. Twenty-six common peaks were detected in the HPLC fingerprints of different specifications of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and 11 out of the 26 common peaks represented saponins. The content of dencichine was determined by LC-MS. The rat experiments showed that the pharmacodynamic indicators were significantly different among different specifications of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. The spectrum-effect relationship was explored between 27 common components and pharmacodynamic indicators. Among them, 16 components had positive effects on the pharmacodynamic indicators of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and 11 exerted negative effects. This study provides a basis for the precision medication and quality control of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

Clinical characteristics of patients with odontogenic sinusitis underwent endoscopic sinus surgery / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of patients with odontogenic sinusitis (OS) treated by endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: A retrospective investigation was carried out in our 27 (16 males and 11 females) cases with OS aged (49.74±14.42) years old. Subjects were hospitalized between January 2018 and November 2020 from Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. The medical history, symptoms, result of nasal endoscopy and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) were analyzed statistically by SPSS 19.0. Results: OS mainly occured on unilateral sinuses, with a duration of (8.56±11.79) months. Seventy point four percent (19/27) of the patients had a course within six-month, only 11% was over 12 months (3/27). Symptoms mostly showed as nasal obstruction (88.9%; 24/27), runny nose (81.5%; 22/27), nasal stinks (16/19) and postnasal drip (10/10). Sixty-three percent (17/27) of the OS patients had a dental history. Nasal endoscopic examination revealed a swelling of the ostiomeatal complex (77.8%; 21/27), medial wall interhal displacement of maxillary sinus (55.6%; 15/27), white emulsion-like purulent secretion in the middle meatus (70.4%; 19/27) and nasal polyps (59.3%; 16/27). Etiology of OS included implant-related problems (14.8%; 4/27) and periodontal disease (85.2%; 23/27). Conclusions: OS is usually unilateral sinusitis with a short history. Its clinical features show nasal stinks, white emulsion-like purulent secretion in the middle meatus and imaging findings of unilateral maxillary sinusitis with tooth-related lesions.

Synthesis and Application of A Flavone-based Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Hydrazine / 分析化学

A fluorescence enhancement probe (ZY8) for the detection of N2H4was designed and synthesized by employing 3-hydroxyflavone as a fluorophore,and its spectral properties had been investigated. The results showed that ZY8 had relatively good selectivity and specificity to N2H4in Tris-HCl-ethanol solution (9:1, V/V, pH 7.40). The fluorescent intensity of ZY8 exhibited good linear relationship with concentration of N2H4in the concentration range of 1.6×10-7mol/L-6.2×10-5mol/L,and its detection limit was estimated to be 1. 6×10-7mol/L. ZY8 itself had weak fluorescence, upon addition of N2H4, an approximate 9-fold fluorescence enhancement was observed, and the color of the solution changed from light grayish green to bright grass-green at UV light of 365 nm. So ZY8 might be used to the visual recognition of N2H4. ZY8 could detect N2H4in near-physiological pH range, and it had fast response and strong anti-interference ability. Moreover,ZY8 could be loaded as test paper for naked-eye detection of N2H4at mmol/L level in water solution,and it was also applied in the determination of N2H4in various water samples by the standard addition recovery experiments, with the recovery ratio ranged from 96.0% to 104.2% %, and RSD of all< 4%. The results of this study demonstrated that ZY8 had potential application to the detection of N2H4in the monitoring of environmental pollution.

CT observation of retromaxillary posterior ethmoid / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

To investigate the morphologic characteristics of the retromaxillary posterior ethmoid.A total of 103 outpatients encountered in our hospital during March 2012 and December 2012,who completed paranasal sinus CT examination,were included in this study.Patients had no sinus trauma,surgery or tumor history.Their paranasal sinus CT scans were analyzed from scheduled axial and coronal plane.The incidence and imaging features of the retromaxillary posterior ethmoid were observed.The retromaxillary posterior ethmoid(RMPE)was the posterior ethmoid cell that expanded along the lamina papyracea toward the infraorbital region.RMPE was located behind the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and under the orbital floor.The occurrence rate of the RMPE was 74.3%.The ethmomaxillary septum is the bony septum the between the maxillary sinus and posterior ethmoid.Anatomical confirmation of RMPE is based mainly on the presence of the ethmomaxillary septum.RMPE is located at the back of ethmomaxillary septum.The sagittal angulation of the ethmomaxillary septum ranged from 22 to 87 degrees,with an average of(50.34±12.10)degrees.The ethmomaxillary septum is important for anatomic recognition of the RMPE.Accurate identification of the RMPE before ESS can help improve the removal of the posterior ethmoid sinus.

Asymmetric oxidation synthesis of esomeprazole sodium:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Esomeprazole sodium is a widely used proton pump inhibitor which is mainly applied to the treatment of gastric ul-cer,duodenal ulcer,digestive esophagitis and gastritis. By reviewing the literature over the past decade on the asymmetric oxidation of esomeprazole sodium ,the paper summarizes the synthetic process and focuses on the comparison of the critical steps. To choose suit-able chiral catalyst to reduce the cost of synthesis of esomeprazole sodium,this paper compares beyond the yield,enantioselectivity and other aspects. The conclusion is that the catalysts used in the most of oxidation systems are with a large load and high cost ,and compared with the classical Kagan-Modena system,the Ti-salan catalyst has advantages in the synthesis of esomeprazole sodium,and can be widely used.

Functional identification of plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by cell feeding / 中草药

Objective: To screen the most efficient cell feeding way and provide guidance for functional verification of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods: Firstly, the recombinant industrial S. cerevisiae strains containing PsCPR and PsP6H genes were constructed. Then four different cell feeding methods were used. At the end, the downstream product dihydrosanguinarine was detected via UPLC Q-TOF MS/MS. Results: The best method of cell feeding was that the recombinant industrial strain induced by galactose for 31 h and then incubated in the TE solution buffer (pH = 8.0) for 24 h. Conclusion: Different cell feeding ways have different effects on the downstream products of recombinant industrial S. cerevisiae. The optimized cell feeding method shows stability and good repeatability.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of myocardial infarction / 中国医学科学院学报

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the ability to regenerate myocadial tissue. BMSCs transplantation can produce cardiac-like cells,promote angiogenesis, and secrete a variety of growth factors and cytokines. This article summarizes the molecular mechanisms of myocardial repair, explores the potential regenerative capacity of cardiac muscles after myocardial infarction,and reviews the previous studies on BMSC transplantation for treatment of cardiac muscle after myocardial infarction, with an attempt to provide new insights in clinical decision-making.

Effect of acupuncture on the p53 protein expression of mice with Alzheimer's disease / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture method for benefiting qi, regulating blood, supplementing the root, and cultivating the essence (BQRBSRCE) on the p53 protein expression of mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SAMP8 mice were divided into the control group, the acupuncture group, and the non-acupoint group. The homologous SAMR1 control group was set up. Mice in the acupuncture group used acupuncture method for BQRBSRCE by needling at Tanzhong (RN17), Zhongwan (RN12), Qihai (RN6), and bilateral Xuehai (SP10), and bilateral Zusanli (ST36).Two fixed non-acupoints from bilateral ribs were needled in the non-acupoint group. The p53 protein expression in the cortex and hippocampus of mice was determined using Western blot. The pathological changes of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe were observed using HE staining. The expression of cortical p53-positive cells was detected by immunohistochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The p53 protein was highly expressed in the cortex of SAMP8, which was significantly down-regulated after acupuncture, showing statistical difference when compared with the SAMP8 control group (P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference when compared with the SAMR1 control group (P > 0.05). Needling at non-acupoints had no obvious effect on the p53 protein expression. There was no statistical difference in the p53 protein expression of the hippocampus (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture method for BQRBSRCE could down-regulate the p53 protein expression in the brain of mice, improve the pathological state of brain cells, thus enhancing learning and memory capabilities of AD mice, improving their cognitive functions, with specificity of acupoints.</p>

Combined immunoprophylaxis induces changes in anti-hepatitis B surface protein titer in infants born to mothers with positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial of infants born to hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers in order to investigate the dynamic changes in the titer of anti-HBV surface protein (HBS) induced by treatment with combined immunoprophylaxis (200 IU hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and 5 or 10 mug yeast recombinant hepatitis B vaccine), to compare the protective effect of 5 and 10 mug hepatitis B vaccine, and to provide an immunization strategy, monitoring mode and booster immunization schedule for the high-risk group.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-hundred-and-sixty-nine infants born to HBsAg positive mothers were given combined immunoprophylaxis at birth, and the venous blood samples (at birth, and 1, 7 and 12 months) were tested for HBV DNA load, and HBsAg and anti-HBS titers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 1-year protective rate of combined immunoprophylaxis was 95.9%. There was no significant difference between the infectious rates of infants given the 5 mug or the 10 mug hepatitis B vaccine (x2 = 0.876, P = 0.377). The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-HBS were 144.1 mIU/ml at 1-month old and 564.9 mIU/ml at the age of 7 months old (the highest point), but declined to 397.6 mIU/ml at the age of 12 months old. The rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml was 20.9%, and that of less than 10 mIU/ml was 7.4% at 7-month-old; the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml increased to 30.2% and that of less than 10 mIU/ml increased to 15.9% at 12-month-old. At 7-month-old, the GMT of the 10 mug vaccine group was higher than that of the 5 mug vaccine group (675.3 mIU/ml vs. 25.0 mIU/ml, P = 0.001) and the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 10 mIU/ml was significantly lower in the 10 mug vaccine group (2.3% vs. 12.6%, P = 0.002); at 12-month-old, the rate of infants with anti-HBS titer less than 100 mIU/ml was also significantly lower in the 10 mug group (20.6% vs. 40.2%, P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined immunoprophylaxis is therapeutically efficacious for treating infants born to HBsAg positive mothers. Monitoring these infants' anti-HBs titer will help to identify non- or low-responders in a timely manner. The high-dose hepatitis B vaccine is preferable to the low-dose, and should be considered for use in immunization strategies for these infants.</p>

Evaluation of a portable device based on peripheral arterial tone in the detection of obstructive sleep apnea / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the accuracy of a wrist-worn device (Watch-PAT 200) in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAHS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-three adult subjects with suspected OSAHS simultaneously had a standard in-laboratory polysomnogram (PSG) and wore the Watch-PAT 200 during a full-night recording. PSG sleep and respiratory events were scored according to standard criteria. The PSG recordings were blindly manually analyzed, while Watch-PAT data were scored automatically based on the algorithm developed previously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of the subjects was (42.2 ± 12.2) years (x(-) ± s), and mean body mass index was (28.0 ± 3.9) kg/m(2). Mean PSG apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was (34.9 ± 29.9) events per hour, and mean PAT-AHI was (36.0 ± 29.2) events per hour. There was a significant correlation between PAT AHI and AHI by PSG (r = 0.931, P < 0.01). A Bland-Altman plot of PAT AHI and PSG AHI was also used to assess the accuracy of Watch-PAT 200. At lower levels of AHI, PAT tended to overestimate disease severity, while at higher levels of AHI, Watch-PAT underestimated severity. To assess sensitivity and specificity of Watch-PAT, constructed receiver operator characteristic curves using a variety of AHI threshold values (5, 15 and 30 events per hour). For AHI ≥ 5 events per hour as threshold value, the Watch-PAT diagnosing rate was 93%, and sensitivity as well as specificity were 94.7% and 80.0%. The misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnosis rate were 20.0% and 5.3%. Optimal combinations of sensitivity and specificity for the AHI threshold values (15 and 30 events per hour) were 82.6% and 100.0%, 95.0% and 95.7% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Watch-PAT 200 may offer an accurate, robust, and reliable ambulatory method for the detection of OSAHS, with minimal patient discomfort.</p>

Comparison of the basic characters of speech-evoked auditory brainstem response between school-age children and young adults / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to compare the basic characters of the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) between young adults and school-age children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Speech-ABR of thirty eight normal hearing subjects including eighteen school-age children and twenty young adults were recorded. The speech syllable/da/as stimulus sound was transmitted to right ear by insertion the earphones in speech-ABR test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Response waves of speech-ABR in school-age children were similar to those in young adults, which contained the onset response (peak V and A), the transition (peak C), the frequency following responses (peak D, E and F) and the offset response (peak O). Both the latency and amplitude showed no significant difference in all waves between young adults and school-age children, except the latency of wave O and amplitude of wave F. The latency of O wave in school-age children (47.80 ± 0.38) ms were significantly shorter than that in adults (48.10 ± 0.40) ms (t = 2.330,P = 0.026). The amplitude of F wave in school-age children (-0.21 ± 0.15) µV were significantly larger than that in adults (-0.12 ± 0.08) µV (t = 2.146,P = 0.043).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the latency and amplitude of the speech ABR in school age children at 6 - 11 years old show the great similarity with the young adults, which indicate that the ability of speech processing of brainstem in children has completely reached maturity.</p>

Comparison of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in newborns and adults with frequency specific approach / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the difference of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) between neonates and adults with the frequency-specific approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TEOAE were recorded from 112 newborns (62 females, 58 males) who passed hearing screening, and 32 adults (17 females, 15 males) tested with pure-tone threshold equal or less than 20 dBHL. Band reproducibility, signal-to-noise rate (SNR) of frequency-band and half-octave frequency analysis of TEOAE amplitude was recorded respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences were found in two groups, the higher entire TEOAE level found in newborn [(15.18 +/- 4.39) dB SPL] was higher than that of adults group [(9.51 +/- 4.12) dB SPL, P < 0.05]. The lowest wave reproducibility and SNR were in first frequency band (0.8 kHz) for neonate, and then, in last frequency band (4.0 kHz) were for young adults. For newborns, the highest band reproducibility and SNR were presented at fourth frequency band (3.2 kHz). However, for adults, the highest band reproducibility and SNR were presented at second frequency band (1.5 kHz). Frequency space of the SNR response peaks between neonates and adults was 1.7 kHz. The level difference was 7.09 dB SPL. Half octave frequency analysis shows a TEOAE response peaks in neonates was (10.50 +/- 5.09) dB SPL at the 2828 Hz, and in adults, it was (2.84 +/- 5.33) dB SPL at the 1414 Hz. Frequency space of the TEOAE response peaks between neonates and adults was 1414 Hz. Level differences of TEOAE response peaks was 7.66 dB SPL. TEOAE response peak in adult appear at 1.5 kHz, and then dropped down correlated to increase of frequency. From the first to the last testing frequency band, the difference of TEOAE level between neonate and adult was found to increase correlated to increase of frequency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TEOAE response level in newborn is higher than that in adult group. Further, the decrease of TEOAE response level presented more sharpens with the frequency increasing in adult. The frequency of TEOAE response peak in neonate (3.2 kHz) is higher than adult (1.5 kHz). The level of TEOAE response peak is also greater than adult.</p>

Study on allelic characteristics of "homozygote" resulted from low resolution genotyping of HLA-Cw locus / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the allelic characteristics of "homozygote" resulted from low resolution genotyping of HLA-Cw locus and to provide more precise typing data for clinical transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty three related allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) donors and patients with HLA-Cw * 03, Cw * 07 homozygote, which were the most common gene groups in Chinese population, identified by low resolution genotyping level were retyped by high resolution PCR-SSP genotyping method, and three dimensional structure modelling was also made by using a solely developed HLA three-dimensional matching software (HLA strucMark version 1.0) to evaluate the effect of differences between two mismatched alleles and its relationship with GVHD occurrence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The typing results of high resolution level demonstrated that the confirmed allelic homozygotes for Cw * 03 and Cw * 07 were 14% and 43%, respectively, while the others were all heterozygotes. The ambiguous typing results could be confirmed by family data study or by high resolution typing methods when there was no family data available, Three-dimensional modeling results of the mismatched alleles undetected in low resolution typing level indicated that family data study or high resolution PCR-SSP genotyping were important in preventing graft-versus-host disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>When HLA-Cw homozygote results were found in low resolution genotyping method, the results should be reconfirmed by family data study or by high resolution typing methods to provide precise typing results for avoiding severe graft-versus-host disease.</p>

Method of measuring sound localization for 4-year-old children on the horizontal plane / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effective way to test 4-year-old children's ability of sound localization in the horizontal plane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using minimum audible angle (MAA) measure procedure on the basis of conditioned play audiometry, sound localization test was conducted for 4-year-old children at 0 degrees , +/- 45 degrees , +/- 90 degrees , +/- 135 degrees and 180 degrees standard positions in the horizontal plane.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The outcome of sound localization test for 4-year-old children separately were: MAA (0 degrees ) = (3.80 +/- 0.71) degrees , MAA (-45 degrees ) = (7.70 +/- 1.27) degrees , MAA (45 degrees ) = (7.10 +/- 1.39) degrees , MAA (-90 degrees ) = (8.15 +/- 2.38) degrees , MAA (90 degrees ) = (7.61 +/- 2.47) degrees , MAA (-135 degrees ) = (8.85 +/- 2.70) degrees , MAA (135 degrees ) = (8.30 +/- 1.42) degrees , MAA (180 degrees ) = (5.20 +/- 1.27) degrees . The MAA of eight standard positions were less than 10 degrees , and the MAA (0 degrees ) was the smallest one.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings suggest that MAA test procedure on the basis of conditioned play audiometry could be used to evaluate the ability of sound localization in 4-year-old children.</p>

Haplotype and linkage analysis of HLA-I classical genes in Chinese Han population / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the parameters of gene frequencies, haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium of HLA-A, -B, -Cw in HLA classical I loci for Chinese Han population. HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-Cw loci were genotyped in 1014 unrelated China people using low resolution PCR-SSP typing method, and their genetic parameters were analyzed by statistic methods. The results indicated that among all the detected HLA-I genes, A*02 (0.33), A*11 (0.24), B*15 (0.14), B*13 (0.13), Cw*03 (0.25) and Cw*07 (0.18) were the popular gene groups distributing in Chinese Han population, and A*02-B*46 (0.071), A*11-B*15 (0.051), A*02-Cw*01 (0.084), A*11-Cw*03 (0.079), B*46-Cw*01 (0.095) and B*13-Cw*03 (0.071) were the predominant haplotypes in Han population. Additionally, A*02-B*46, A*30-B*13, A*30-Cw*06, A*02-Cw*01, B*46-Cw*01 and B*58-Cw*03 were statistically significant with strong linkage disequilibrium. While A*02-B*15, A*02-B*40, A*24-Cw*03, A*02-Cw*03 and A*31-Cw*03 were in low linkage disequilibrium, among them A*24-Cw*03 appeared frequently in HLA recombination events. In addition, A*02-B*46-Cw*01 (0.075), A*30-B*13-Cw*06 (0.046), A*11-B*13-Cw*03 (0.045), A*33-B*58-Cw*03 (0.044), A*11-B*15-Cw*08 (0.027), A*02-B*38-Cw*07 (0.023) and A*11-B*40-Cw*07 (0.022) were the main extended haplotypes in Han population. In conclusions, this study investigated systematically the genetic polymorphism features of Chinese Han population, which may provide useful genetic parameters for researches in colonial evolution, clinical transplantation and disease susceptibility.

L-arginine reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Severe abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.</p>

Cellular localization of HCBP1 and its interaction with HCV core protein in vivo / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the interaction of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein with HCBP1 and observe the expression and cellular localization of HCBP1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cDNA fragments encoding HCV core protein and HCBP1 were amplified by PCR and subsequently cloned into pGEM T vector, respectively. After sequence verification, the two recombined vectors were respectively subcloned into two hybrid plasmids, pM and pVP16. pM-core, pVP16- HCBP1 and the reporter vector pG5CAT were co-transfected into COS-7 cells, and the interaction between HCV core protein and HCBP1 was assayed by detecting CAT gene expression after 48 h. The expression and subcellular localization of the fusion protein in the transfected COS-7 cells were analyzed by Western blotting and fluorescence microscopy, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CAT-ELISA showed that the absorbance of the co-transfection group was significantly higher than that o f the negative control groups but lower than that of the positive control group. Western blotting confirmed the expression of fusion protein in the transfected COS-7 cells. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the fusion protein was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm, and in contrast, diffuse EGFP expression was detected in COS-7 cells transfected with the empty vector.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mammalian two-hybrid assay confirms the capacity of HCBP1 to bind HCV core protein, and the expression vector for HCBP1-EGFP fusion gene has been constructed successfully and expressed in COS-7 cells.</p>