Genetic variation of chicken MC1R gene in different plumage colour populations.

1. Genetic variation in the chicken MC1R gene was analysed through bioinformatic methods after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the coding region of MC1R gene from 5 different populations with 4 plumage colours (black, grey plumage with black spots, yellow plumage with black spots, red). 2. A total of 11 novel variations were detected in Hebei chickens, of which 8 were non-synonymous. Allele distribution analysis showed that the wild-type e(+) (Brown Leghorn) allele was mainly found in Hy-Line Brown and Lohmann Brown, the dominant Extended black E(AY220304) allele was mainly found in Hebei chicken with black plumage, whereas the Buttercup (e(bc)) allele was rare. 3. Nucleotide diversity (π) within each colour strain of Hebei chickens (0·0047-0·0052) was significantly greater than that of Hy-Line Brown (0·0024) or Lohmann Brown (0·0043). 4. The results indicate that there is abundant polymorphism in the MC1R gene, especially in Hebei chicken, which was associated with its rich plumage colour diversity.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and embolization in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma.

AIM: To study the effects of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) or embolization (HAE) in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and the factors influencing these effects. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 188 patients (166 males and 22 females) with PHC treated with HAI (n = 82) or HAE (n = 106) was conducted. RESULTS: In the group as a whole, the percentage of patients experiencing therapeutic outcomes was as follows: Symptomatic relief (59.6%); Tumor shrinkage (55%); A decrease in blood alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (37.8%) and overall survival rates at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 years of 75.4%, 46%, 23.5% and 14.7%, respectively. The mean survival time in the entire group was 12.2 mo, and the longest survival period was 50 mo. In the HAI group the survival rates at 0.5, 1.0. 2.0 and 3.0 years of follow-up were 61.0%, 25.4%, 4.5% and 0%, respectively, with a mean survival time of 7.7 mo. In the HAE group the corresponding survival rates were 86.8%, 61.7%, 37.8% and 26.1%, respectively, with a mean survival time of 15.7 mo. Eighteen patients received secondary surgery. Factors that had a favorable effect on therapeutic outcomes were presence of no or only mild liver cirrhosis, presence of stage I or Stage II disease, presence of only a single tumor, a tumor size less than 10 cm in diameter, an absence cancerous thrombus within the portal vein or hepatic arterio venous fistula, and HAE treatment. CONCLUSION: This study helped identify the effects of HAI and HAE in patients with PHC, and identified some important factors which influence such treatment.

[Separation and resolution of four stereo-isomers of anisodamine].

Four stereo-isomers of anisodamine were obtained by two consecutive resolutions. (+) 6-Methoxy methoxy tropinone (+I) and its optical antipode (-I) could be obtained by the resolution of racemic (I) with (+) L-tartaric acid and (-) D-tartaric acid respectively. Subsequent catalytic hydrogenation of the optically active compound I, then ester exchange with methyl 2-formyl-2-phenyl acetate followed by reduction with NaBH4 and cleavage of hydroxyl protective group in acid condition, the corresponding optically active (+) IV and (-) IV were obtained. Compound (+) IV was treated with (+) dibenzoyltartaric acid and (-) IV by (-) dibenzoyltartaric acid. The epimeric salts were separated and purified by fractional crystallization from absolute alcohol. Four stereoisomers of anisodamine (6S, 2'S; 6S, 2'R; 6R, 2'R and 6R, 2'S) were thus obtained by neutralization of the corresponding salts.